BASF and Rhodia Join Forces to Train Baltimore Emergency Responders; City Hazmat Unit Recognized for Dedication to Acrylic Acid Safety.

Business Editors

BALTIMORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 17, 2003

More than 200 members of the Baltimore Fire Department's hazardous materials response teams were recognized today for their contributions to an innovative emergency response training program conducted jointly by the Department and chemical producers BASF Corp. (NYSE: BF) and Rhodia Inc. (NYSE:RHA).

The training program is unique because it combines the emergency response expertise of the City's fire department, with the expertise of two of the country's leading chemical companies. The training focused on safe handling, emergency response and transportation of acrylic acid, a basic chemical ingredient in many consumer products and industrial processes.

Rhodia operates a manufacturing facility in the City's Fairfield industrial area. BASF supplies Rhodia's plant with acrylic acid, which Rhodia uses to produce a variety of products for the coatings industry.

Today's award ceremony culminates an effort by BASF, in cooperation with Rhodia, to provide detailed, specific training on acrylic acid handling for City hazmat teams who would be the first responders to a transportation or process emergency involving the chemical. The training involved classroom sessions, equipment demonstrations and case studies from other exercises or actual emergencies across the country.

By training together, Rhodia, BASF and local emergency responders gain from each other's knowledge and experience. Working in this way, they are able to consider possible contingencies and develop procedures for dealing with them, reducing or preventing risks to the community or the environment. The Rhodia plant will also house certain materials that could be used by the fire department in responding to an acrylic acid emergency anywhere in the city or on its highways, possibly reducing emergency response times.

"This training covered the full range of what our hazardous material teams would need to know," according to Lt. Ronald Addison, a 32-year veteran of the Baltimore Fire Department, who heads the department's hazardous materials unit. "The Fire Department always does pre-planning in case of emergencies, and this program extends our resources" to help ensure public safety.

"This program is unique because it's truly a joint effort," Addison explained. "The Fire Department has a good relationship with industry and we believe that a cooperative effort--which brings together the best expertise within the City and industry--can go a long way toward effective preparations and response."

Grant Duncan, production manager at Rhodia's Baltimore plant, commended the professionalism and expertise offered by the Fire Department's hazmat teams. "We're proud of our Baltimore operations, yet we can always learn more from the vast experience of the Department's emergency response professionals. We appreciate their willingness to share it."

"Rhodia and BASF are grateful for the dedication and enthusiasm of the regional emergency response team headed by the Baltimore Fire Department and encourage other key metropolitan areas to take a similar approach," said Frithjof Netzer, business director, acrylic monomers, BASF Corporation. "BASF works hard to make our customers' products better. We work very hard to help make their operations better, too. By providing top-notch emergency response training to our customers, BASF demonstrates a real commitment to product stewardship and to our customers' success."

The joint training program reflects the BASF and Rhodia commitment to the chemical industry's Responsible Care(R) principles. It also demonstrates BASF's commitment to providing comprehensive support to meet critical customer needs, and Rhodia's commitment to safe operations and engagement with the City's public safety authorities.

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.

Rhodia: Challenging Boundaries

Rhodia is one of the world's leading manufacturers of specialty chemicals. Providing a wide range of innovative products and services to the consumer care, food, industrial care, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, automotive, electronics and fibers markets, Rhodia offers its customers tailor-made solutions based on the cross-fertilization of technologies, people and expertise. Rhodia subscribes to the principles of Sustainable Development, communicating its commitments and performance openly with stakeholders. Rhodia generated sales of $6.24 billion (6.6 billion euros) in 2002 and employs 24,500 people worldwide, including 2,800 in North America (www.us.rhodia.com). Rhodia is listed on the Paris and New York stock exchanges.