BASF Announces Price Increase for BDO and its Derivatives in Europe

With immediate effect, or as existing contracts permit, BASF will increase its selling prices for the following products in Europe:

• 1,4 Butanediol (BDO) +50 Euro/mt
• Tetrahydrofuran (THF) +70 Euro/mt
• Polytetramethylene ether glycol (PolyTHF) +70 Euro/ mt

The price adjustments reflect mainly the increase of raw material cost.

BDO and its derivatives are used for producing engineering plastics, polyurethanes, solvents and elastic spandex fibers. THF is a high-quality intermediate that serves, for example, as a specialty solvent in the production of pharmaceuticals. PolyTHF is used to make elastic spandex fibers for a large variety of textiles, including underwear, outerwear, sportswear and swimsuits. It also serves as a chemical building block for thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) which are used to make hoses, films and cable sheathing. Other applications include thermoplastic polyetheresters, polyetheramides and cast elastomers for the production of wheels for skateboards and inline skates.

*PolyTHFa is a registered trade mark of BASF Group in many countries.

About BASF

BASF is the worlds leading chemical company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. It combines economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, it enables its customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Its products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. It has summed up this contribution in its corporate purpose: It creates chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF had sales of ?2.1 billion in 2012 and more than 110,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS) London (BFA) and Zurich (AN).

Source: BASF