BASF Completes Acquisition of Engelhard Corporation

Ludwigshafen, Germany (ots/PRNewswire) -

- BASF CEO Hambrecht: 'We started the integration process.'

BASF Aktiengesellschaft (Frankfurt: BAS, NYSE: BF [ADR], LSE: BFA,
SWX: AN) today announced the successful completion of its acquisition
of Engelhard Corporation (NYSE: EC).

"Together with the Engelhard team we have started the integration
process in which our customers continue to be the key priority," said
Dr. Jurgen Hambrecht, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of
BASF Aktiengesellschaft. "Our goal is to make Engelhard an integral
part of BASF to leverage both companies' strong talent, technology
and unique applications expertise. Integration teams consisting of
BASF and Engelhard employees will assess the combined business
needs."

Hambrecht emphasized: "Our customers will benefit from the
accelerated development of products with superior performance through
the combined R&D capabilities of our companies."

As a result of the transaction, Engelhard is a wholly owned
subsidiary of BASF and its shares no longer trade on the New York
Stock Exchange.

BASF is the world's leading chemical company: The Chemical
Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance
products, agricultural products and fine chemicals to crude oil and
natural gas. As a reliable partner to virtually all industries,
BASF's intelligent system solutions and high-value products help its
customers to be more successful. BASF develops new technologies and
uses them to open up additional market opportunities. It combines
economic success with environmental protection and social
responsibility, thus contributing to a better future. In 2005, BASF
had approximately 81,000 employees and posted sales of more than
EUR42.7 billion. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in
Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA), New York (BF) and Zurich (AN). Further
information on BASF is available on the Internet at
http://www.basf.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. All
statements contained in this press release that are not clearly
historical in nature or that necessarily depend on future events are
forward-looking, and the words "anticipate," "believe," "expect,"
estimate," "plan," and similar expressions are generally intended to
identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on
current expectations, estimates and projections of BASF management
and currently available information. They are not guarantees of
future performance, involve certain risks and uncertainties that are
difficult to predict and are based upon assumptions as to future
events that may not prove to be accurate. Many factors could cause
the actual results, performance or achievements of BASF to be
materially different from those that may be expressed or implied by
such statements. Such factors include those discussed in BASF's most
recent Form 20-F filed with the SEC.

Michael Grabicki
Phone: +49-621-60-99938
Fax: +49-621-60-92693
michael.grabicki@basf.com
US media contact:
Rand Pearsall
Phone: +1-973-245-6820
Cell: +1-973-626-1786
Fax: +1-973-245-6714
rand.pearsall@basf.com
Analysts/Investors contact:
Christoph Beumelburg
Phone: +1-973-245-6013
Cell: +1-973-519-2981
Fax: +1-973-245-6714
christoph.beumelburg@basf.com

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

ots Originaltext: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Michael Grabicki, +49-621-60-99938, or Fax: +49-621-60-92693,
michael.grabicki@basf.com, or US media: Rand Pearsall,
+1-973-245-6820, or Cell: +1-973-626-1786, or Fax: +1-973-245-6714,
rand.pearsall@basf.com; or Analysts/Investors: Christoph Beumelburg,
+1-973-245-6013, +1-973-519-2981, or Fax: +1-973-245-6714,
christoph.beumelburg@basf.com, all of BASF