BASF Names ChemPoint.com Exclusive Distributor for HDO 1,6-Hexanediol; 'E-distribution' will Enhance Service, Responsiveness for Small-Volume Customers.

Business Editors

BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 7, 2004

BASF has appointed ChemPoint.com as its sole distributor for less-than-truckload quantities of HDO(R) 1,6-Hexanediol in the United States.

"By appointing ChemPoint.com as our HDO distributor, BASF will be able to better focus on larger, strategic opportunities without sacrificing service to our smaller customers," said Frank Bergonzi, Director, Distribution Program Management for BASF in North America. "It's a 'win-win' proposition."

Bergonzi said BASF has worked with ChemPoint on a number of product lines across several business groups. The addition of HDO extends ChemPoint's relationship with the Diols segment of BASF's Intermediates business group. In February 2002, BASF selected ChemPoint to represent BASF for sales of n-Vinyl Pyrrolidone (NVP) for a similar customer base in the coatings and inks industries. In May 2003, 2-Pyrrolidone was added for the same customer and market segments. Chempoint.com also represent the Larostat(R) Antistatic Additives and Lupasol(R) Polyethylenimine Polymer lines for BASF's Performance Chemicals group.

"BASF is pleased to take advantage of their unique processes for the marketing and sales of specialty chemicals," said Bergonzi.

HDO is a chemical intermediate used in the synthesis of polymeric systems and specialty chemicals including polyesters for polyurethane elastomers, coatings, adhesives and polymeric plasticizers. HDO adds many high-performance characteristics such as hydrolytic stability, increased flexibility, improved adhesion, and surface hardness.

"This exclusive distribution agreement for HDO is yet another indication of the growth potential and scalability of our business model," said Chad Steigers, Managing Director, ChemPoint.com. "With increasing frequency, chemical industry leaders, such as BASF, are turning to us to effectively and efficiently sell and service their customers for niche, differentiated product lines."

ChemPoint.com

ChemPoint.com (www.chempoint.com) is the leading "e-distributor" of specialty and fine chemicals in North America, working in exclusive relationships for specific product lines with premier manufacturers. Based in Bellevue, Washington, ChemPoint provides its suppliers with marketing, sales, customer service and order fulfillment for targeted customer segments. ChemPoint is a fully owned subsidiary of Univar (EURONEXT AMSTERDAM: UNIVR), a global leader in chemical distribution. Univar operates a network of 195 distribution centers, spread across the United States, Canada and 14 European countries. In 2002, Univar generated net sales of $4.4 billion. Univar has approximately 7,000 employees based throughout North America and Europe. For more information, visit www.univarcorp.com.

BASF: Helping Make Products Better(TM)

BASF is the world's leading chemical company, offering its customers a range of high-performance products, including chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products, fine chemicals as well as crude oil and natural gas. Its distinctive approach to integration, known in German as "Verbund," is its strength. It enables BASF to achieve cost leadership and gives the company a competitive advantage. BASF conducts its business in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. In 2002, BASF had sales of $34 billion and more than 89,000 employees worldwide. BASF Corporation is the North American affiliate of BASF AG, Ludwigshafen, Germany. In North America, 2002 sales were approximately $8.2 billion and the company employs approximately 12,000 people. For more information or to receive news releases by e-mail, visit www.basf.com/usa.