BASF launches air entraining admixtures to reduce shrinkage in everyday concrete 

• First mid-range admixture with shrinkage reduction agent
• Reduces drying shrinkage by about 5 to 15 percent
• BASF makes a further commitment to enhancing the durability of concrete structures

Tokyo, JAPAN, February 27, 2009 – BASF Pozzolith Ltd. today launched two middle-range solutions to respond to the increasing need to reduce drying shrinkage in ready mix concrete, a significant factor in prolonging the lifespan of construction structures in Japan.

The solutions, Polyheed^®15DS (standard type) and Polyheed^® 15DSR (retarding type) are new polycarboxylate ether-based and high-performance Air Entraining (AE) admixtures specially developed to reduce the drying shrinkage of ready mix concrete (RMC).

Empowered by the innovative technology of shrinkage reduction agent, both Polyheed^® 15DS and Polyheed^® 15DSR are able to reduce the concrete drying shrinkage by 5-15 percent versus untreated concrete. The new products also comply with the concrete admixture standard of JIS A 6204. With Polyheed^® 15DS and Polyheed^® 15DSR, customers can simultaneously achieve concrete drying shrinkage reduction, high-performance water reduction and slump retention at the RMC plant.

Currently, chemical admixtures for the Japanese RMC market are classified into three categories: AE admixture, high-performance AE admixture for everyday concrete and Superplastisizer for high-grade concrete. Last year, BASF Pozzolith introduced Superplastisizer Rheoplus^® 800S (standard type) and Rheoplus^® 800SR (retarding type) for the drying shrinkage reduction of high-grade concrete.  With the new launch of Polyheed^® 15DS and 15DSR, BASF Pozzolith is further able to provide a wide range of solutions to meet the increasing need for the drying shrinkage reduction of RMC.

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About BASF Pozzolith
BASF Pozzolith is a leading supplier of construction chemicals in Japan. It was formed by merging BASF Japan’s three affiliated companies for construction chemicals. The affiliated companies were NMB, established in 1960 and the leading company in development and manufacturing of admixture materials and building material products for concrete, Pozzolith Bussan, the top supplier in Japan of chemical admixtures for concrete, and BASF Construction Systems, which sells various building material system products. In total, BASF Pozzolith supplies a full range of construction chemicals from concrete admixture products such as superplastisizer and air-entraining water reducing agent to a variety of building construction materials such as high-performance non-shrinkage grouts,　repair and protection products for concrete, waterproofing products as well as performance flooring. BASF Pozzolith has 18 production sites and 16 sales offices nationwide. Further information on BASF Pozzolith is available on the Internet at www.pozzolith.basf.co.jp.

About the Construction Chemicals division
BASF’s Construction Chemicals division is the leading supplier of chemical systems and formulations for the construction industry. Continuous innovation and tailor-made solutions ensure its customers are more successful. Its Admixture Systems strategic business unit specifically helps customers in the ready-mix, precast, manufactured concrete and underground construction industries. The Construction Systems unit offers a wide range of products for sports and industrial flooring, external renders and wall insulation, expansion joints, wood preservatives as well as specialist repair mortars, tile adhesives and waterproofing membranes. The division operates production sites and sales centers in more than 50 countries and achieved sales of €2.2 billion in 2008. Further information on BASF’s Construction Chemicals business in Asia Pacific is available on the Internet at www.ap.cc.basf.com.

About BASF
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals as well as oil and gas. As a reliable partner BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF has approximately 97,000 employees and posted sales of more than €62 billion in 2008. 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 or BASF Japan at www.japan.basf.com.