January 23, 2007 -- Basell has successfully developed an enhanced version of its well established Hostalen CRP 100 black high density polyethylene grade that can enable Basell customers to produce pressure pipes with increased resistance to slow crack propagation.

This improved premium  Basell PE 100 grade – now available under the name Hostalen CRP 100 RESIST CR black – has been especially developed to address the requests by customers in the area of non-conventional pipe installation methods, where a superior resistance to stress cracking is required by the market. It is produced using Basell’s latest generation Hostalen Advanced Cascade Process in the company’s world-scale plant in Wesseling, Germany.

“This is an important step for Basell’s Pipe business that will help us to better respond to our customers’ needs with an expanded HDPE products range,” said Richard Roudeix vice president of the Pipe & Sheet Business unit.

Basell is the global leader in polyolefin technology, production and marketing. It is the world's largest producer of polypropylene and advanced polyolefin products, a leading supplier of polyethylene and catalysts, and a global leader in the development and licensing of polypropylene and polyethylene processes. Basell, together with its joint ventures, has manufacturing facilities around the world and sells products in more than 120 countries. Additional information about Basell is available at www.basell.com.

For more information contact Chantal Sohm, Basell Corporate and eBusiness Communications, at +33 1 555 12 119 or chantal.sohm@basell.com