• -Transparency International publishes report on world's 105 largest companies
  • -Rating based on openness, transparency, and steps to fight corruption

Mumbai, India - July 16, 2012 - BASF has been named the world's most transparent chemical company, in a new global ranking by non-governmental organization Transparency International. BASF was also the top rated German-headquartered company of any industry.

Transparency in Corporate Reporting scored 105 of the top publicly-traded companies based on their public commitment to transparency. Company scores were based on public availability of information about anti-corruption systems, transparency in reporting on how they structure themselves, and the amount of financial information they provide for each country they operate in.

For BASF, compliance refers to the duty of every employee to comply with laws and internal corporate directives at all times. Its binding compliance standards ensure that the company's values are permanently integrated into all day-to-day business activities. At a global level, the Chief Compliance Officer reports directly to the Board of Executive Directors and manages global implementation of the compliance program with the help of around 100 compliance managers worldwide. Based on BASF's worldwide standards, its Group companies have created Codes of Conduct, taking into account local laws and rules.

All employees at BASF receive mandatory compliance training. In 2011, more than 73,000 employees participated in compliance training worldwide. In Greater China, BASF continued to conduct multiple compliance training sessions and workshops in 2011.

As part of the monitoring mechanisms, BASF has external compliance hotlines to enable employees to call anonymously to seek advice or report incidents in the company that they consider dubious. This includes a hotline in Greater China. Calls and emails received worldwide in 2011 related to topics ranging from the handling of company property to personnel management and information on the behavior of business partners. BASF investigates all reported cases . Confirmed violations are penalized and can lead to dismissal.

About BASF

BASF is the world's leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success, social responsibility and environmental protection. Through science and innovation we enable our customers in almost all industries to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and system solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring healthy food and nutrition and helping to improve the quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF posted sales of about €73.5 billion in 2011 and had more than 111,000 employees as of the end of the year. 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.

About BASF in India

BASF has successfully partnered India's progress for over a century. Today, our portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products, functional solutions to agricultural solutions. With our innovative products and solutions, we are well positioned to meet the current and the future needs of India.  We create chemistry for a sustainable future by balancing our business, ecological and social goals. In 2011, BASF in India registered sales of €1.2 billion. On the ecological front, we have a robust Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) policy in line with global standards. On the social front, we focus on contributing to the society with initiatives around relief and rehabilitation, women empowerment, education and fighting corruption in public life. BASF in India has 2070 employees, nine production sites and two R&D centers that work closely with BASF's Global Technology platform.

Media Contact

Ms. Sonal Shah

Tel: 666 18100

Mobile: 98205 66922

sonal.shah@basf.com

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