FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Report of Foreign Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of July, 2000
BASF Corporation
----------------
(Translation of Registrant's Name Into English)
Carl Bosch Strasse 38
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Ludwigshafen, Germany
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67056
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file
annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.)
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
--- ---
(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to
the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.)
Yes No X
--- ---
(If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-_______)
Enclosure
<PAGE>
July 6, 2000
P 359e
Jennifer Moore-Braun
Tel. (06 21) 60-2 08 29
Fax (06 21) 60-9 26 93
E-Mail: jennifer.moore-braun
@basf-ag.de
"e-Bond" by BASF - BASF to offer Euro-
denominated bond via the Internet
LUDWIGSHAFEN, Germany, July 6, 2000 - BASF Aktiengesellschaft will offer the
first German corporate bond which can be subscribed for via the Internet by both
institutional and private investors. The exact date of the issue is dependent on
market conditions and is expected to be announced in the next few days.
Private investors will have the opportunity to subscribe for the BASF e-bond via
the Internet. Previously, private investors were not able to subscribe for bonds
issued by German corporations via Internet.
"By issuing the first German e-bond of this type, BASF is taking advantages of
the opportunities offered by the Internet to reach a broad spectrum of
investors," said Max Dietrich Kley, Chief Financial Officer and Deputy Chairman
of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF Aktiengesellschaft. "Innovations at
BASF are not solely limited to products and processes."
The fixed interest e-bond will have a nominal volume of Euro 1 billion and a
maturity of five years and will issued in multiples of Euro 1,000, Euro 10,000
and Euro 100,000.
"We have established these denominations to make the bond attractive to private
investors," said Klaus Jurgen Bohm, Senior Vice-President of Capital and Money
Markets at BASF Aktiengesellschaft.
Private investors will be able to subscribe for the bond via the Internet after
the official offering circular is made public. The subscription period will last
three days and will probably be in the coming week.
<PAGE>
Page 2 P 359e
BASF will also have a special web page about the e-bond. The page will be
accessible when the subscription period begins and can be found on the BASF
Internet site at www.basf.de/e-bond. The web page site also contains a link to
the page where the bond can be subscribed for. In addition to subscription via
the Internet, investors can also subscribe for the bond in the more traditional
way through their bank.
Deutsche Bank and Schroder Salomon Smith Barney are jointly lead managing the
issue, which is expected to receive a Aa3 rating from Moody's and a AA- from
Standard & Poor's.
BASF is a return-focused global company generating long-term growth and
profitability from its activities in chemicals, health and nutrition, and oil
and gas. The company's product range includes high-value chemicals, plastics,
dyestuffs, dispersions, automobile and industrial coatings, crop protection
products, pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, crude oil and natural gas. BASF's
approach to integration, known in German as "Verbund," is one of the company's
particular strengths and provides a unique competitive advantage. With sales in
1999 of Euro 29.5 billion (about $29.5 billion) and a workforce of 105,000
employees, BASF is one of the world's top chemical companies. BASF's Internet
address is www.basf.com.
This press release does not represent a sales promotion or an invitation to
purchase securities. The security may also not be sold in a country where such
an offering or the promotion of such an offering is not allowed, or where the
sales before the registration of the security under the securities law of the
country is illegal.
<PAGE>
July 10, 2000
P 362
Dr. Eckhard Parzich
Phone: +49 621 60-95235
Fax +49 621 60-99050
E-mail: [email protected]
Anne Grube
Phone: +49 621 60-42734
Fax +49 621 60-95415
E-mail: [email protected]
BASF plans to expand butyl acrylate capacity
BASF is responding to growing demand for butyl acrylate by expanding capacity at
its Ludwigshafen site by 100,000 metric tons by the beginning of 2003. The
expansion will be extremely cost-effective thanks to existing infrastructure.
European demand for butyl acrylate, which currently can only be fully met with
the help of imports, is growing by about four percent.
BASF is the biggest producer of acrylic acid and acrylates worldwide. Butyl
acrylate is the most important acrylic ester in volume terms. It is mainly used
in the production of polymer dispersions for the paint, adhesive, paper and
construction industries.
BASF is a return-focused international company aiming in particular for
sustained growth in the chemicals, health & nutrition, and oil & gas markets.
The company's products include high-value chemicals, plastics, colorants,
dispersions, automotive and industrial coatings, crop protection agents,
pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals as well as oil and gas. BASF's highly
developed approach to integration, our so-called Verbund strategy, is one of the
company's greatest strengths. In 1999, BASF achieved worldwide sales 29.5
billion euro and employed 105,000 people, making it one of the world's leading
chemical companies. Visit our website at www.basf.de
<PAGE>
July 10, 2000
P 364e
Jennifer Moore-Braun
Tel. +49 6 21 60-2 08 29
Fax +49 6 21 60-9 26 93
E-Mail: jennifer.moore-braun
@basf-ag.de
High demand for the BASF e-Bond:
--------------------------------
Nominal volume increased to Euro 1.25 billion
Subscription period begins
LUDWIGSHAFEN, Germany, July 10, 2000 - BASF Aktiengesellschaft announced today
that it is increasing the nominal volume of its e-bond from Euro 1 billion
to Euro 1.25 billion. The increase is in response to the positive demand by
institutional investors for the e-bond.
The BASF e-bond will have an annual coupon of 5.75% p.a. This rate was
established during the bookbuilding process.
Private investors can subscribe for the e-bond for a period of three days
starting Tuesday, July 11, 2000. BASF has established a special web page for the
e-bond. The address for the page is www.basf.de/e-bond. This page contains a
link to BROKERAGE 24 where the bond can be subscribed for. In addition to
purchasing the e-bond via the Internet, investors can also purchase the bond in
the more traditional way through their bank.
BASF is a return-focused global company generating long-term growth and
profitability from its activities in chemicals, health and nutrition, and oil
and gas. The company's product range includes high-value chemicals, plastics,
dyestuffs, dispersions, automobile and industrial coatings, crop protection
products, pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, crude oil and natural gas. BASF's
approach to integration, known in German as "Verbund," is one of the company's
particular strengths and provides a unique competitive advantage. With sales in
1999 of Euro 29.5 billion (about $29.5 billion) and a workforce of 105,000
employees, BASF is one of the world's top chemical companies. BASF's Internet
address is www.basf.com.
<PAGE>
P 375 e
Common press release by:
Ashland Distribution Company, ATOFINA, BASF, Bayer, BP Amoco, CHEMCENTRAL, Ciba
Specialty Chemicals, Dow, DuPont, Celanese, Mitsui Chemicals, Mitsubishi
Chemicals, Rhodia, Rohm and Haas, Shell Chemical Company, Sumitomo Chemical and
Van Waters & Rogers
Online Chemicals E-Marketplace Gaining Momentum
Marketplace named "ELEMICA", Interim Web Site Established and Executive Search
Firm, Korn/Ferry International, Appointed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
July 13, 2000--The neutral online business-to-business (B2B) chemicals
e-marketplace announced in mid-May by leading chemical companies and
distributors is being aggressively prepared for its operational business launch.
An interim informational Web site has been created and an executive search firm
has been appointed to recruit top management for the company, which will be
called "ELEMICA".
Representatives of the founding companies have been working together to make the
vision of an independent, neutral B2B chemicals e-marketplace a reality. Their
vision is to create the premier online marketplace for the chemical industry,
bringing together buyers and sellers from around the world and helping companies
generate cost and capital efficiencies.
<PAGE>
New Name for New Marketplace
ELEMICA, pronounced e"l"em"i"ka, is the newly given name to the online B2B
chemicals e-marketplace. The name is derived from the words "element" (matter
in its purest form), "elementary" (basic, fundamental, essential) and "lemma"
(a founding premise).
ELEMICA was announced in mid-May by ATOFINA, BASF, Bayer, BP Amoco, Dow, DuPont,
Mitsui Chemicals, Mitsubishi Chemicals, Rhodia, Rohm and Haas, Sumitomo Chemical
and Van Waters & Rogers. In June, Ashland Distribution Company, CHEMCENTRAL,
Ciba Specialty Chemicals, Celanese and Shell Chemical Company announced that
they agreed in principle to participate in the marketplace. In addition, Air
Products and Degussa-Huls have also agreed to in principle to participate.
ELEMICA will create a robust online marketplace intended to positively address
supply chain inefficiencies and offer integrated and linked ERP solutions and
services for the contract buying and selling of basic, intermediate, specialty
and fine chemicals. It is intended to facilitate global customer-to-supplier
relationships and lower fulfillment costs by moving existing business processes
onto the Web. Targeting an estimated $800 billion market, it is expected that
ELEMICA will streamline existing supply chain activities by providing greater
transparency in planning processes.
Interim Web Site Goes Live and Executive Search Firm Chosen
An interim Web site has been created to serve as an informational storefront for
the company until the transactional business site is established at the end of
the year. The site, www.elemica.com, will contain information about the company,
current news, information about the participants and contact information.
<PAGE>
Korn/Ferry International has been chosen as the executive search firm to recruit
key members of the management team of ELEMICA.
ELEMICA is targeted to be established this summer as an independent entity and
is expected to have its operational business services in place by the end of the
year.
For Editorial Information:
Jennifer Reilly
Gibbs & Soell, Inc.
847.519.9150
[email protected]
For More Information About Korn/Ferry:
Daniel Margolis
Korn/Ferry International
310.552.1834
[email protected]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ZOA/CM, Dr. Hartmut Unger, Tel. 99123
<PAGE>
18. Juli 2000
P 376 e
Diana Weitenkopf
Tel.: +49 621 60 20732
Fax: +49 621 60 92693
Email:[email protected]
BASF and Petrobras to build acrylic acid complex in Brazil
BASF headquartered in Ludwigshafen, Germany, and the Brazilian state-owned oil
and gas producer Petrobras signed an agreement yesterday (July 17, 2000) in Sao
Paulo to carry out a feasibility study for a plant for acrylic acid and
derivative products. The planned project is expected to cost around US$300
million and to have an annual capacity of 160,000 metric tons of acrylic acid
and acrylic acid derivative products.
BASF is the world's largest supplier of acrylic acid and acrylic monomers, and a
leader in the associated production technology. The company operates plants in
Europe and the United States. A plant in Malaysia is to start production shortly
and will increase BASF's total annual capacity in acrylic acid to around one
million metric tons. Another plant is scheduled to go on stream at BASF's new
site in Nanjing, China, in 2005.
BASF is currently building a butyl acrylate plant at its Guaratingueta site in
Brazil.
Acrylic acid and its derivatives are used in the production of paints, textiles,
plastics and superabsorbers. Superabsorbers are an important constituent of
diapers and other sanitary care products. Through BASF's acquisition of
Chemdal's superabsorbers business with plants in Europe, North and South
America, and Asia, BASF is now also market leader in superabsorbers.
<PAGE>
The acrylic acid plant in Brazil, which Petrobras will supply with propane, will
extend BASF value chain in the South America. Currently, Brazil imports most of
its acrylic acid and acrylic acid derivatives from the United States.
Speaking about the new investment, Dr. Josef Kohlne, head of BASF's Dispersions
division, said: "The acrylic acid plant in Brazil will mean that we will be able
to supply all important markets from our own production. Having Petrobras as a
partner will guarantee long-term supplies of feedstock and allow us to fully
take advantage of our technological leadership".
BASF is a return-focused global company generating long-term growth and
profitability from its activities in chemicals, health and nutrition, and oil
and gas. The company's product range includes high-value chemicals, plastics,
dyestuffs, dispersions, automobile and industrial coatings, crop protection
products, pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, crude oil and natural gas. BASF's
approach to integration, known in German as "Verbund," is one of the company's
particular strengths and provides a unique competitive advantage. With sales in
1999 of Euro 29.5 billion (about $29.5 billion) and a workforce of 105,000
employees, BASF is one of the world's top chemical companies. BASF's Internet
address is www.basf.com.
<PAGE>
14.07.2000
P 382 e
BASF further strengthening Polyurethane-Business in Japan
BASF Japan Ltd. has announced today to take over the remaining 50% of the shares
of Takeda Badische Urethane Industries, Ltd. currently owned by Takeda Chemical
Industries. The new company will operate under the name BASF Polyurethane
Elastomers Ltd.
Takeda Badische Urethanes Industries, Ltd. was founded in May 1987 and is a
major producer of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) in Japan, served out of its
Yokkaichi plant and operating a MDI stock point at Takeda Chemical Industries'
Kashima site.
With the takeover BASF has continued the efforts to streamline the Polyurethane
activities in Japan. BASF takes now sole responsibility for the TPU business in
Japan and for the MDI tank farm operation in Kashima. Sales of MDI products from
Kashima will be continued through BASF INOAC Polyurethanes Ltd. which was
reorganized last year.
Thermoplastic polyurethanes are a global core business of BASF; the products are
currently manufactured by Elastogran (Germany), BASF Corporation (United States)
and BASF Poliuretanos (Brazil). TPU exhibits elastic behavior over a wide range
of hardness offering good abrasion resistance, high elongation and very good
impact strength, particularly at low temperatures. TPUs are processed by
extrusion or injection molding for a wide range of applications; ranging from
electric cables, hoses, tubes and sheets applications in the automotive- and
sport shoe soles industry up to multiple parts in construction and other
industries.
<PAGE>
BASF is one of the leading worldwide suppliers to the polyurethane industry. The
company produces MDI, TDI, polyether and polyester polyols, polyurethane systems
and specialty elastomers. Production facilities are located throughout the
world. BASF has defined polyurethanes as one of its core businesses and will
expand these activities by additional investment to meet the increasing market
demand.
For further inquiries, please contact:
BASF Japan Ltd.
Corp. & Market Communications
3-3, Kioicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3238-2226/2374
Fax: 03-3238-2514
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ZOA/CM, Diana Weitenkopf, Tel. 20732
<PAGE>
July 28, 2000
P 386e
Michael Grabicki
Tel.: +49 621 60-9 99 38
Fax: +49 621 60-2 01 29
E-Mail: michael.grabicki
@basf-ag.de
BASF and Takeda to combine their bulk vitamins businesses
> Integration of BASF's and Takeda's vitamins business
> Combining regional and portfolio strengths
> BASF to launch an investment program over the next few years
> BASF to achieve cost leadership in growth markets
LUDWIGSHAFEN, Germany, July 28, 2000 - BASF Aktiengesellschaft, Ludwigshafen,
and Takeda Chemical Industries Ltd., Osaka, Japan, have agreed to combine their
bulk vitamins businesses, which includes transferring part of Takeda's assets.
The agreement has been approved by the respective boards of both companies.
Following regulatory approvals, the combined business will:
> have a global presence and a combined share of approximately 30 percent of
the worldwide vitamins market
> provide food, pharma and feed customers with the full range of vitamin
products (one-stop shopping),
> have a highly effective marketing and sales organization,
> achieve worldwide leadership in technology and cost.
<PAGE>
BASF is the world's second largest producer of vitamins with a strong focus on
fat-soluble vitamins. BASF's Fine Chemicals division produces and markets
products for the health, nutrition and personal care industries and had sales in
1999 of nearly Euro 1.4 billion (about US-Dollar 1.4 billion). Vitamins for use
in the pharma, food and animal nutrition industries accounted for approximately
Euro 500 million (US-Dollar 500 million) of the division's sales in 1999.
Takeda's bulk vitamin business, operated by its Vitamin & Food Company division,
with footholds in the U.S., Germany, Singapore and other locations in Japan and
overseas, produces and markets globally a range of water-soluble vitamins such
as vitamin C, B1, B2, B6, and folic acid mainly for the pharma and food
industries. With global sales of Euro 240 million (US-Dollar 240 million)
Takeda is currently one of the world's leading producers of water soluble
vitamins.
The agreement includes the following elements:
> In Japan, both companies will form a joint venture for the sales and
distribution of a joint range of bulk vitamins. BASF will hold a 66 percent
stake and Takeda 34 percent in this company.
> Takeda will transfer the shares of the following subsidiaries to BASF:
- Takeda Vitamin & Food USA, Inc., Wilmington, North Carolina, and its
subsidiary Takeda Canada Vitamin and Food Inc., Toronto, Ontario.
- Takeda Europe GmbH, Hamburg, Germany
- Takeda Vitamin & Food Asia Pte. Ltd., Singapore
Outside Japan BASF will assume sole responsibility for the worldwide
marketing of the combined vitamin product range.
> Takeda Vitamin and Food Company's manufacturing technology and patents
related to the vitamins B1, B2, B6, C and folic acid will also be
transferred.
> Takeda's Vitamin & Food Company will continue to produce bulk vitamins at
its Hikari plant, Yamaguchi, and will supply its entire output exclusively
to BASF.
<PAGE>
The food business of Takeda Vitamin & Food USA, Inc. and Takeda Vitamin & Food
Asia Pte. Ltd. will continue to be operated by Takeda's Vitamin & Food Company.
The volume of the global vitamins market is estimated to be steadily growing at
an annual rate of a minimum of four percent. The most important customer sectors
are the animal nutrition industries, accounting for 60 percent of the market,
while the area of human nutrition in the pharma and food industries represents
the remaining 40 percent. Vitamins have grown into high volume products over the
past decade requiring world-scale manufacturing plants and advanced technology.
"We are fortunate to have Takeda as our partner in the bulk vitamin business.
Our product lines and distribution channels complement each other well. We will
leverage the synergies arising from the combination of Takeda's competency in
water-soluble vitamins business and our strength in the fat-soluble vitamins
business," said Dr. Christian Dudeck, President of BASF's Fine Chemicals
division.
"It is truly significant that we will form a global alliance with BASF, one of
the world's leading chemical manufacturers who also maintains a strong position
in the bulk vitamins business. I am confident that the integration of both
companies' bulk vitamins businesses will expand the product range and business
operations leading to additional business growth," said Hiroshi Uchiyama,
Corporate Officer, President of Takeda's Vitamin and Food Company.
BASF to expand its vitamin business - additional steps
The new alliance is part of BASF's Euro 600 million (US-Dollar 600 million)
investment program to continuously improve its return on sales by expanding its
vitamin production and strengthening its growing vitamins business. During the
next few years, BASF will optimize and increase its manufacturing capacities for
vitamins and expand its product range. The investment program includes
expansions at BASF's manufacturing sites in Asia, Europe and North America to
make the company a stronger global player.
<PAGE>
The program builds on the company's technological know-how and efficient Verbund
system. It is intended to more than double the combined present production
capacities, including the capacities for the vitamins B2 and C. When the
investment is completed, BASF believes that it will have the most competitive
production plants for the key vitamins A, E and C. "We therefore have full
confidence in the continuous earning power of our vitamins business," said
Eggert Voscherau, the member of BASF's Board of Executive Directors responsible
for the Health & Nutrition segment.
BASF is a return-focused global company generating long-term growth and
profitability from its activities in chemicals, health and nutrition, and oil
and gas. The company's product range includes high-value chemicals, plastics,
dyestuffs and pigments, dispersions, automobile and industrial coatings, crop
protection products, pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, crude oil and natural gas.
BASF's approach to integration known in German as "Verbund" is one of the
company's particular strengths and provides a unique competitive advantage. With
sales in 1999 of Euro 29.5 billion (about US-Dollar 29.5 billion) and a
workforce of 105,000 employees, BASF is one of the world's top chemical
companies. BASF's Internet address is www.basf.com.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact at Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd.
Mr. Toyoji Yoshida
Phone: 81-6-6204-2060
Fax: 81-6-6204 2035
E-mail: [email protected]
<PAGE>
July 28, 2000
P 387e
Michael Grabicki
Tel.: +49 621 60-9 99 39
Fax: +49 621 60-2 01 29
E-Mail: michael.grabicki
@basf-ag.de
Background information
BASF's activities in the growing vitamin market
The global vitamins market continues to grow at an annual rate of four percent,
making it an attractive area of investment for BASF. Major growth factors
include a rising per capita income and growing meat consumption. These factors
are leading to an increasing demand for feed additives especially in
Asia-Pacific and Eastern Europe. In industrial countries and increasingly also
in the developing countries, the concern for a balanced diet is resulting in a
growing vitamin demand to supplement and enhance human nutrition.
The water-soluble vitamins C, B1, B2, B6 and folic acid play especially
important roles in the area of human nutrition. They are used to enrich the
vitamin content of foods and beverages and are constituents of nutritional
supplements sold in the form of capsules and tablets. The market for these
products is already well developed in the United States and Europe. In most
Asian countries the demand is beginning to grow at well above-average levels.
In the area of animal nutrition, the key products are the fat-soluble vitamins A
and E as well as the water-soluble vitamins B2 and Calpan, which have increased
in importance in the past few years. As a component of feedstuffs, these
vitamins serve to maintain the productivity and health of animals as well as to
improve the quality of meat products made from these animals. The growth in the
demand for meat products, especially in emerging economies, as well as the
rising awareness of quality in more industrialized countries, is leading to a
rising demand for vitamins in the area of animal nutrition.
<PAGE>
"Through our vitamins and enzymes as well as the amino acid lysine, we are one
of the global market leaders in animal feed supplements," said Dr. Christian
Dudeck, President of BASF's Fine Chemicals division.
A still young application for vitamins and their derivatives is the field of
cosmetics. As a result of research and development, BASF has made marked
advances in developing new applications. New products are expected to be
developed in this field, underpinning demand for vitamins.
Sophisticated production processes for vitamins
Although some of the 13 known vitamins are now traded as if they were
high-volume chemical products, vitamin production continues to be technically
sophisticated. BASF took a pioneering role in this field more than 30 years ago,
primarily through its synthesis of vitamin A developed in collaboration with
universities on the basis of what is known as the Wittig reaction.
Today biotechnology processes are being applied to produce some vitamins, such
as vitamin B2. In addition, BASF was the first European company to use a cost
efficient industrial-scale fermentation process for vitamin B2.
In collaboration with Cerestar and Merck of Germany, BASF has successfully
developed an efficient process that combines chemical and biotechnological
stages for vitamin C production.
"Fine chemicals such as vitamins are positioned at the end of our long
value-adding chains. The expansion of our vitamins business strengthens the
whole of our Verbund," said Dudeck.
BASF is the world's second largest producer of vitamins. BASF's Fine Chemical
division produces and markets products for the health, nutrition and personal
care industries and had sales in 1999 of nearly Euro 1.4 billion (about
US-Dollar 1.4 billion). Vitamins for human and animal nutrition accounted for
approximately Euro 500 million (US-Dollar 500 million) of the division's sales
in 1999.
<PAGE>
July 26, 2000
P 388 e
Diana Weitenkopf
Tel. (06 21) 60-20732
Fax (06 21) 60-92693
E-Mail: diana.weitenkopf
@basf-ag.de
Acknowledgement of human rights, labor standards and environmental protection
BASF takes part in the UN's Global Compact initiative
BASF acknowledges the principles of the Global Compact initiative, a joint
project of the United Nations (UN) and other organizations such as the
International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and is actively involved in
implementing them. The aim of this unique project between the world organization
and international representatives from industry is to put the nine principles in
the areas of human rights, labor standards and environmental protection into
practice worldwide. The first Global Compact meeting took place yesterday under
the chairmanship of the United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, in the UNO
building in New York. Representatives of about 50 internationally active
companies, including BASF, and of associations, trade unions, and human rights
and environmental organizations attended the meeting.
Dr. Jurgen F. Strube, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF
Aktiengesellschaft, said: "Since our founding 135 years ago, social
responsibility and sociopolitical integration have played an essential role at
BASF. We therefore welcome the partnership between the United Nations and
business, and are prepared right from the start to support the implementation of
the Global Compact initiative and its principles."
<PAGE>
The nine principles formulated by the United Nations extend from the demand to
put human rights principles into practice, through respect for trade union
rights up to the encouragement and spread of environmentally friendly
technologies. These are, of course, principles on which Sustainable Development
is built. It is in accordance with this initiative, and on which BASF bases its
worldwide operations, that equal account is taken of economical, ecological and
social requirements when business decisions are taken.
For example, BASF was the first enterprise to develop and use eco-efficiency
analysis, a tool for assessing the whole life cycle of its products from an
economical and ecological viewpoint.
Strube went on to say: "We are convinced that the aims of the United Nations -
peace and development - and corporate objectives - added value and prosperity -
complement each other. We are therefore prepared to comply with these principles
of the Global Compact initiative in an open global economy, and to help spread
them within our sphere of influence."
BASF is a return-focused global company generating long-term growth and
profitability from its activities in chemicals, health and nutrition, and oil
and gas. The company's product range includes high-value chemicals, plastics,
dyestuffs and pigments, dispersions, automobile and industrial coatings, crop
protection products, pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, crude oil and natural gas.
BASF's approach to integration, known in German as "Verbund," is one of the
company's particular strengths and provides a unique competitive advantage. With
sales in 1999 of Euro 29.5 billion (about $29.5 billion) and a workforce
of 105,000 employees, BASF is one of the world's top chemical companies. BASF's
Internet address is www.basf.com.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the Registrant has duly caused this Current Report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
BASF Aktiengesellschaft
Date: July 31, 2000 By: /s/ Dr. Felix Gress
Name: Dr. Felix Gress
Title: Director Corporate Communications
By: /s/ Kurt Leidner
Name: Kurt Leidner
Title: Director Communications
Ludwigshafen Site
