In March 2003, BASF Aktiengesellschaft, Ludwigshafen, acquired from Bayer CropScience, Monheim, the worldwide business with the insecticidal active ingredient fipronil as well as parts of the seed treatment business with some fungicidal active ingredients. A large portion of these active ingredients are produced at the St. Aubin les Elbeuf (France) site.

When Aventis CropScience was sold to Bayer in 2002, this site remained with Rhône-Poulenc Biochimie, Antony, a one hundred percent subsidiary of Aventis S.A. The active ingredients fipronil, iprodione and triticonazol were produced in the subsequent period at the St. Aubin les Elbeuf site by Rhône-Poulenc Biochimie on a commission basis for Bayer.

BASF and Rhône-Poulenc Biochimie reached agreement on February 14, 2004 on the division of the St. Aubin les Elbeuf production site. BASF takes over all plants producing crop protection agents and some of the infrastructure facilities. The two companies have mutually concluded service agreements.

A total of 309 employees at the St. Aubin les Elbeuf site will join BASF. Of the 34-hectare site, 16 hectare will be assigned to BASF.

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 about €32 billion (circa $34 billion) and over 89,000 employees worldwide. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA), New York (BF), Paris (BA) and Zurich (BAS).