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Seattle, WA, USA--(Jobwerx)--APRIL 16, 2005--The “PlastiVan,” an internationally recognized education program that provides "hands-on" experience in the chemistry of plastics, rolled into town for a visit at the 15th Annual Business & Lifestyles Expo at Yack Arena in downtown Wyandotte. The visit was sponsored by a "Helping Make Communities Better" grant from BASF.

The “PlastiVan” is one of three “science on wheels” vans that travel throughout the United States teaching students, educators and the public about the chemistry, history, manufacturing and environmental issues involved with making plastics. The program is provided through the National Plastics Center & Museum in Leominster, Mass.

"It’s nice to see a large company like BASF put forth a program such as the ‘Plastivan’ that helps make an event such as the expo successful,” said Alan Anderson, President of the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber (SWCRC). “BASF has always shown that it is a community leader and we are grateful.”

“BASF is known as the company that helps make products better. We also have a commitment to helping make the communities in which we do business better,” said Ed Nuernberg, General Manager of BASF's Wyandotte site. “The ‘PlastiVan’ program demonstrates, in a fun and creative way, the important role plastics play in our world. We are proud to sponsor these visits because they make people aware of how the products made by companies in our area are an essential part of their daily lives.”

During the ‘Plastivan’ demonstrations, the expo attendees participated in experiments that included "The Chemistry of the Disposable Diaper," making "slime" using liquid polymers and a laundry detergent, and - to demonstrate the flexibility of polymers - sticking a wooden skewer through a balloon without bursting it.

“People may be aware of the plastics they see in grocery bags, but may never have considered that there’s plastic in lifesaving medical equipment, for example,” said Marjorie Weiner, National Outreach Director of the National Plastics Center & Museum. “The first-hand observation and interaction leaves a lasting impression about plastics.”

Approximately 800 people are employed at BASF’s Wyandotte site and develop and manufacture a variety of urethane and specialty plastics products for the automotive, industrial appliance, furniture and electronic industries.

BASF - The Chemical Company. We don't make a lot of the products you buy. We make a lot of the products you buy better.® BASF Corporation, headquartered in New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF AG, Ludwigshafen, Germany. Rated in FORTUNE magazine as America’s Most Admired Chemical Company, we employ about 10,000 people in North America and had sales of approximately $11 billion in 2004.

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