Bayreuth, Germany, December 17, 2002 - Basell's polypropylene compounding plant in Bayreuth celebrated a significant milestone in its 15-year history - reaching 1 million tonnes in total production - by hosting a ceremony for employees, local residents and government officials today.

"This is a day to commemorate the success of an efficient and safe plant that plays a major role in serving the needs of our Advanced Polyolefins customers," said Sergio Danesi, president of Basell's global Advanced Polyolefins organisation.

To comprehend the magnitude of the production achievement, visualise 50,000 large trucks, each filled with 20 tonnes of plastic material produced at the Bayreuth plant.

Prior to becoming a Basell site in October 2000, the Bayreuth plant was operated by two Basell predecessor companies, Montell and Himont. The plant was built in 1987 by Himont, which needed a production facility to serve the German and Northern European automotive markets more quickly and cost-efficiently.

"The plant is located in a beautiful region with great leisure time activities, both in the summer and in the winter, for our 120 employees," said Bernhard Hoffmann, the plant manager. "The steady growth of the polypropylene compounds market has led to continuous development and expansion of the Bayreuth production capability."

In 2001 the facility produced 110 KT of compounds on eight extrusion lines, and raw materials and finished products arrive at and leave the site on up to 100 trucks a day. Upgrades planned for 2003 include renovation of one production line and the addition of five new silos for raw materials and finished products to increase warehouse capacity.

"Over and beyond production and logistics, the site's technical centre plays a key role in Bayreuth," said Danesi. "Next to providing specific test services to our production facility, the technical centre is developing new products in close cooperation with customers. This lays the foundation for future production and ensuring market oriented innovation."

With products ranging from the very soft and flexible to the very resilient and rigid, the Basell Advanced Polyolefins portfolio - comprised of compounds, specialty polyolefins (polybutene-1 and polyethylene for fuel tanks) and in-reactor alloys (Catalloy process resins) -- extends the scope of polyolefins' capabilities. The diverse markets for Advanced Polyolefin products include automotive, electrical/electronics and home appliances, industrial applications and flexible packaging.

Basell produces Advanced Polyolefins in wholly owned operations in Germany, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States, and in joint ventures in South America and the Asia-Pacific region.

In addition to its Advanced Polyolefins business, Basell develops, produces and markets polypropylene, polyethylene and polyolefin catalysts, and also develops and licenses polyolefin processes. Basell's corporate centre is located in Hoofddorp, The Netherlands; the company has regional offices in Mainz, Germany; Brussels, Belgium; Wilmington, Delaware, USA; Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Hong Kong, as well as manufacturing facilities and sales offices in the major markets around the globe. Basell's Internet address is www.basell.com.