GEISMAR, — The American Chemistry Council has recognized BASF for a program that significantly reduces the amount of energy consumed in a steam system at its Geismar manufacturing site.

"These awards publicly recognize efficiency efforts of our members that not only reduce greenhouse gases and other emissions but also add appreciably to each company's bottom line," said Greg Lebedev, ACC president and CEO. Such projects represent a win-win, he said, because "the improvements protect the environment while helping American business compete globally."

BASF was one of ten companies receiving energy efficiency awards at a recent meeting of the ACC's Energy Network in Arlington, Va.

The award recognized a project at the Geismar site's methylene diphenylisocyanate production unit. Bob Doerr, Sr., a process engineer in the Geismar site's Technical Engineering Services Department, developed the process that reduced amounts of higher-pressure steam that flowed into a lower-pressure system. The new process results in a $200,000 annual savings.

MDI is used in the process of making a rigid foam product -- the kind used on automobile bumpers.

"This national honor recognizes the intensive efforts at the Geismar site to constantly improve our performance. Each of our employees is trained and encouraged to take ownership of beneficial projects and develop them to the fullest extent. Bob Doerr's work is an example of the teamwork that benefits our community, our customers and our company," said Otis Hall, vice president and general manager of the BASF Geismar site.