CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, June 6 /PRNewswire/ --

Effective July 1, 2008, or as allowed by contract, BASF will increase prices on all kaolin products that are manufactured at the BASF middle Georgia, USA, kaolin operation and exported to Asia and the Middle East.

This action is necessary primarily due to the dramatic escalation of ocean freight costs. Several other cost factors, such as energy, chemicals, and mining costs, continue to impact the overall business. The existing energy surcharge program remains in effect.

Kaolin customers can determine the precise impact on their purchases by contacting their local BASF sales representative.

BASF kaolin products are sold into the paper and specialty markets. The BASF paper kaolin business serves the global coated paper market focusing primarily on lightweight coated, specialty and coated free sheet grades. BASF specialty kaolin clays improve performance, lower costs, increase efficiency, and enhance the value of customer products and processes in the plastics, rubber, ink, cosmetics, ceramics, adhesives, paints, and many other industries.

BASF - The Chemical Company. We don't make a lot of the products you buy. We make a lot of the products you buy better.(R)

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 15,000 employees in North America, and had sales of approximately US$16.4 billion in 2007. For more information about BASF's North American operations, or to sign up to receive news releases by e-mail, visit www.basf.com/usa.

BASF is the world's leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from oil and gas to chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals. As a reliable partner, BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges, such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF has more than 95,000 employees and posted sales of almost Euro 58 billion in 2007. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

Web site: http://www.basf.com http://www.basf.com/usa

Bill Pagano, BASF Corporation, +1-973-245-6071, william.pagano@basf.com