BASF Honored with the American Chemistry Council's Political Leadership Award

FLORHAM PARK, N.J., July 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- BASF was presented with the American Chemistry Council's (ACC) first Political Leadership Award in recognition for its success in mobilizing grassroots employee participation in advocacy at both the site manufacturing and managerial levels in coordination with its Washington, D.C. and state capital activities. Hans Engel, Chairman and CEO of BASF Corporation, accepted the award on the company's behalf at the ACC's Annual Meeting in June in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

"We are very proud to be one of the two inaugural winners of the American Chemistry's Council's Political Leadership Award," said Engel. "BASF's advocacy model is based on the principle that All politics is local. Our greatest political asset lies within our plants, service platforms, and businesses, with the people who live the issues everyday and can connect with elected officials on policy that affects BASF."

BASF maintains a Government Affairs office in Washington, D.C. and regularly communicates with state and federal officials, building on the relationships developed through interactions and dialogues started in legislative districts where sites and business offices are located.

"BASF is an industry leader not only in its products, but also its political engagement, perhaps our industry's most valuable currency," said Cal Dooley, ACC CEO and President. "The industry's strength comes from the voices and actions of its nearly 800,000 employees, and the program that BASF has built will make a significant and lasting impact as we strive to help policymakers understand and appreciate how the business of American chemistry helps drive innovation, create jobs and enhance safety through its products, people and performance," Dooley added.

The Political Leadership Award is given to ACC member companies and state chemical industry council's for their on-going efforts to politically support, advocate and promote issues on behalf of the entire chemical industry.

The annual awards honor those companies that use the full range of advocacy tools, including direct advocacy, plant tours and district meetings, coalition building, and voter and opinion leader education.

The key element of BASF's grassroots program is its Capital Club, a volunteer organization of BASF employees at more than 70 sites across the United States that have committed themselves to staying informed about public policy matters and taking action when necessary, such as writing letters to legislators or participating in site visits by a Member of Congress.

For a press photo, please click on the following link:

http://www.basf.us/pressphotos/07-07-11_ACCPoliticalAward.jpg

Suggested caption: Hans Engel, Chairman and CEO, BASF Corporation, accepting the ACC's Political Leadership Award at the ACC's Annual Meeting. Pictured from left to right, Cal Dooley, ACC President and CEO; Hans Engel, Chairman and CEO, BASF Corporation; and Stephanie Burns, Dow Corning Corporation and ACC Chairman of the Board.

BASF - The Chemical Company.

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has approximately 16,400 employees in North America, and had sales of $17.7 billion in 2010. For more information about BASF's North American operations, visit www.basf.us.

BASF is the world's leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products, and agricultural products to oil and gas. As a reliable partner, BASF creates chemistry to help 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 posted sales of more than €63.9 billion in 2010 and had approximately 109,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com or in the Social Media Newsroom at newsroom.basf.com.

SOURCE BASF Corporation