Ludwigshafen (Germany) and Chelmsford (Massachusetts) - March 30, 2012 - BASF Venture Capital GmbH has invested $2.7 million in the advanced materials company FRX Polymers, Inc. The investment is part of a series B financing round of $26.7 million. FRX Polymers develops and produces innovative, non-halogen flame-retardant polymers.

"The polymeric flame retardants of FRX Polymers have unique properties," explained Dr. Oliver Guthmann, Investment Manager at BASF Venture Capital. They consist of organic polymers with phosphorus as the active component. "Because of their polymeric structure, the flame retardants do not migrate out over time and also do not change the optical and mechanical properties of the plastic in which they are incorporated," added Guthmann. Moreover, they can also be used as plastic themselves. This makes it possible to manufacture thin transparent high heat products, such as electronic sheet and LED light diffusers. A further advantage is that the flame retardants from FRX Polymers are halogen-free and thus particularly sustainable.

The flame retardants are already used in numerous products in the plastic processing industry - for example computer or monitor housings. FRX Polymers is currently operating three pilot plants: two in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, and another, larger facility in Switzerland. "The demand for our outstandingly environment-friendly products is increasing sharply," said Marc Lebel, Chief Executive Officer of FRX Polymers. "We will therefore be using the funds from the financing round to further expand our new production plant in Antwerp and our sales operations."

About FRX Polymers

FRX Polymers, Inc. was founded in 2007 following over five years of intensive research and development in the field of inherently flame retardant plastics. The company operates two pilot plants in Chelmsford,Massachusetts,and a polymer pilot plant in Switzerland recently commissioned in mid-2010. FRX is in the growth phase of its evolution and is commercializing a novel family of non-halogen, transparent, high melt flowing, fire resistant plastics. FRX Polymers is headquartered in Chelmsford,Massachusetts. More information is available atwww.frxpolymers.com .

About BASF Venture Capital

BASF Venture Capital GmbH was established in 2001 as a wholly owned subsidiary of BASF Future Business GmbH, Ludwigshafen, Germany, with the aim of exploring new growth potentials based on investment in startup companies and funds. More information is available atwww.basf-vc.de.

About BASF

BASF is the world's leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success, social responsibility and environmental protection. Through science and innovation we enable our customers in almost all industries to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and system solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring healthy food and nutrition and helping to improve the quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF posted sales of about €73.5 billion in 2011 and had more than 111,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet atwww.basf.com.

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This press release was issued by BASF SE and was initially posted at http://www.basf.com/group/pressrelease/P-12-198 . It was distributed, unedited and unaltered, by noodls on 2012-03-30 14:38:42 PM. The issuer is solely responsible for the accuracy of the information contained therein.