[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 113 (Thursday, July 10, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1429-E1430]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CONGRATULATIONS TO BASF FREEPORT ON THEIR 50TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 10, 2008

  Mr. PAUL. Madam Speaker, 2008 marks the 50th anniversary of the 
opening of the BASF Corporation's Freeport, Texas facility. Freeport

[[Page E1430]]

is located in Brazoria County in my congressional district. I am 
pleased to take this opportunity to congratulate the management and 
employees of BASF Freeport on 50 great years, and thank the people of 
BASF Freeport for their contributions to Freeport's economy.
  The story of the BASF Freeport began when the owners of BASF Overzee 
N.V., a subsidiary of Badische Anilin-& Soda Fabrik A. G. (BASF), 
Ludwigshafen, Germany, and the Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Michigan, 
agreed to form Dow Badische Chemical Company. Dow Badische was endowed 
with the chemical process technology of the European parent as well as 
the managerial and marketing knowledge of their U.S. parent.
  The new company chose a site adjacent to Dow Chemical's Texas 
Division of Freeport, Texas for its initial production. In December of 
1959 the plant began producing Acrylic Acid and Acrylic Esters. In 1960 
and 1961 the plants added production units for butanol and caprolactam.
  Through the years, the BASF facility experienced tremendous increases 
in its capacity as well as in the number of production plants and 
employees that comprise the BASF Freeport workforce. For example, in 
1967 BASF built a continuous butyl acrylate plant, while a new 
caprolactam complex was completed in 1968; and a new oxo alcohol 
facility was completed in 1970, adding 2-Ethylhexanol to the product 
line.
  BASF acquired 100 percent ownership of Dow Badische in 1978. Soon 
after the change in ownership took place, two new chemical plants were 
constructed in Freeport, one an acrylic acid facility and the other a 
neopentyl glycol facility. Further significant expansions have included 
two acrylic monomers plants, an expansion to the polycaprolactam unit 
and most recently a new superabsorbent polymer plant.
  In addition to its contributions to Brazoria County's economy, BASF 
has improved the life of the residents of Brazoria County through its 
steadfast support of numerous civic organizations. BASF has also earned 
the trust of its neighbors by making every effort to observe basic 
principles of safety and environmental performance in all its 
operations.
  BASF Freeport's success is due to the commitment, hard work and 
innovative ability of its employees. I am certain that these same 
attributes will ensure a continued healthy growth for the company, 
which will, in turn, continue to benefit all of Brazoria County. It is 
therefore my pleasure to congratulate BASF Freeport on their 50th 
anniversary.

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