BASF's activities are concentrated in styrenics

Under the name BASF STYROLUTION the future will combine their business with styrene plastics. This is the company's business with styrene monomer (SM), polystyrene (PS), acrylic butadiene styrene (ABS), Styrolbutadiencopolymere (SBC) and other styrene-based copolymers spin off and place into separate companies. The global business with polystyrene foam remains within BASF. This also applies for the necessary for their production SM and PS capacity in Ludwigshafen.

The restructuring is designed to 1 January 2011 for completion. The name STYROLUTON will then take a leading position in the styrene plastic industries, BASF.

Dr. Martin Brudermüller for the plastics business of competent BASF Board. "The creation of STYROLUTION is another step in the implementation of BASF\'s strategy for the styrene plastics, it is the right measure to our worldwide activities in this area permanently and better compared to more volatile demand to position a high pressure on margins and intense competition in the industry. STYROLUTION is because of their advanced technology, its excellent product portfolio and its clear focus on becoming a preferred supplier to customers around the world. At the same time we remain open to further strategic options. "

BASF will contribute its business with styrene plastics at locations in Germany (Ludwigshafen, Black Heath), Belgium (Antwerp), Korea (Ulsan), India (Dahej) and Mexico (Altamira) in STYROLUTION. Separate companies are set up in other countries such as USA, Italy or China, where BASF has more styrenic activities, such as marketing and sales.

BASF currently employs approximately 1460 employees in its styrenic business and achieved 2009 sales of approximately 2.5 billion €. How BASF tells during the restructuring, the proper care of their customers is ensured.

Styrene plastics are used mainly in home and office, electrical and communication equipment and packaging. Styrene copolymers are thermoplastics based on the monomers styrene and acrylonitrile. They are used as materials in a variety of automotive and electronic industries as well as many articles of everyday use.