BASF to concentrate its Agricultural Research

17-May-2001

Following its July 2000 acquisition of the crop protection Business of American Home Products, BASF announced today that it will discontinue its Princeton, NJ R&D activities by June 30, 2002 and close its Agro Research Center located in Princeton by the end of the third quarter 2002. Roughly 500 positions will be affected by this decision, thereof approximately 200 site support services.

In the future, BASF will center its Agricultural Products research activities in Ludwigshafen/Limburgerhof, Germany, where it can take advantage of the existing substantial research capabilities and infrastructure. Major development activities will be concentrated in Limburgerhof and Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA.

"This concentration will significantly increase our research efficiency," says Hans Reiners, President, BASF Agricultural Products Division. "We strengthen the existing Research Verbund and found the basis for further profitable expanding our excellent position in global agricultural products business."

The transition period will ensure that ongoing projects at Princeton can be completed on schedule. Reductions of approximately 200 positions will occur in the third quarter 2001. The remaining employees will be asked to stay on to finish ongoing projects, and guarantee the continuity and transfer of needed know-how and capabilities. This process ensures that all business objectives relating to the R&D activities will be met.

BASF's Agricultural Products Division, based in Mount Olive, New Jersey, U.S.A., is a leading supplier and marketer of herbicides, fungicides and insecticides. The division's principal products are sold mainly to farmers who use them to improve crop yields and quality. Based on broad experience in R&D, manufacturing, marketing, and sales expertise, the BASF Agricultural Products division vision is to be the world's leading innovator, optimizing agricultural production, improving nutrition, and thus enhancing the quality of life for a growing world population.

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