BASF Provides Exclusive Technology for Run-Flat Tires


WYANDOTTE, MI, March 2, 2010 - BASF Polyurethane Solutions today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Dynamic Runflats, Inc. (DRI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Defense Venture Group based in Indian Land, South Carolina, to manufacture and market run-flat tire components and systems for military and other applications.

"BASF is very pleased to have found a partner who shares its passion for developing run-flat tires for military applications," said Joe Shirmer, Business Manager for BASF Polyurethane Systems North America. "We have a very robust technology for this application and look forward to working with DRI to bring run-flat tires to the market."

BASF brings to the agreement two technologies that form a system to help enable tires to run when flat. BASF's proprietary elastomer technology, Elastocast®, is molded into specially designed parts, and inserted into tires so that if the tire loses air pressure the vehicle would still maintain control and stability allowing drivers the opportunity to delay fixing the flat until they are in a permissive location to accomplish the repair. The other part of BASF's proprietary system is a polyurethane foam technology, Elastofoam®, which helps hold the elastomer inserts in place within the tire cavity.

"DRI selected the BASF Polyurethane technology because it truly stood out and performed better than any other technology available today," said Mike Marquart, General Manager of DRI.

BASF's polyurethane technology passed rigorous testing to meet all military requirements. In fact, BASF's polyurethane system proves extremely ballistic resistant, even 50 caliber rounds pass through without affecting the runflat.

In addition, the design of the run-flat tire that uses BASF's technology is 60 percent faster to install than currently used technology and no special tools are required. "No tools required' is very important in military theater operations," said Marquart.

The first vehicle to be built using this proprietary run-flat tire technology was unveiled in North Carolina in late February.

For more information about BASF's Polyurethane Solutions, please go to www.basf.com/pur.

For more information contact:

Sue Jaszkowski
BASF Corporation
Tel: (248) 948-2253
E-mail: susan.jaszkowski@basf.com

BASF - The Chemical Company.
BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has approximately 16,000 employees in North America, and had sales of $13 billion in 2009. For more information about BASF's North American operations, or to sign up to receive news releases by e-mail, visit www.basf.com/usa.

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 and oil and gas. As a reliable partner, BASF creates chemistry to help 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 posted sales of more than 50 billion in 2009 and had approximately 105,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

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