LUDWIGSHAFEN, Germany, May 14 /PRNewswire/ --     In this Podcast of "Chemistry of Innovations" you will learn how
a fungi-protein called "Hydrophobin" can make surfaces water-repellent.

The raincoat on a fungus is not a garment, it is a substance called
"Hydrophobin". You will find this protein on the skin of fungi where its job
is simply to repel water droplets, to make them roll off the fungi. Because
this trait is not only useful to fungi, but can also be used for technical
applications as well, scientists from BASF have become interested in
Hydrophobin. Using a biotechnological process, they are the first who managed
to produce Hydrophobin in a large scale.

BASF Corporate Communications started a regular bilingual Podcast service
in April 2007 to report on BASF's innovations andresearch and development
activities in an easy-to-understand, informative and entertaining way.

Listen to the audio reportage with Dr. Thomas Subkowski, Dr. Claus
Bollschweiler und Dr. Marvin Karos from BASF Fine Chemicals and Biocatalysis
Research.

Podcast Chemistry of Innovations, English editions:

http://www.basf.com/podcast

Direct subscription via RSS-Feed or iTunes (search for "basf"):

http://corporate.basf.com/en/podcast/innovation.xml

More information:

White Biotechnology at BASF - Fermentation

http://www.corporate.basf.com/en/produkte/biotech/weisse_biotech/fermentation.htm

Pictures about White Biotechnology at BASF available at our photo 
database:

http://www.corporate.basf.com/en/presse/fotos/dvd/?docTitle=weissebiotech

More podcasts:

Podcast - The Chemical Reporter: http://www.basf.com/podcast

In these entertaining weekly episodes our Chemical Reporter answers
questions on Chemistry in our everyday life. This week's edition: What's a
bullet-proof vest made of?

RSS-subscription: http://corporate.basf.com/en/podcast/reporter.xml

Direct iTunes subscription when iTunes is installed (or search
for"basf"):

itpc://corporate.basf.com/en/podcast/reporter.xml

itpc://corporate.basf.com/en/podcast/innovation.xml

The use of the audio material is royalty-free when naming the source. We
appreciate information on the use to podcast@basf.com

BASF is the world's leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its
portfolio ranges from oil and gas to chemicals, plastics, performance
products, agricultural products and fine chemicals. As a reliable partner
BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful.
With its highvalue products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an
important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate
protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF has more than
95,000 employees and posted sales of almost EUR58 billion in 2007. BASF
shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and
Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at
http://www.basf.com.

A Podcast is available at:

http://www.presseportal.de/pm/16344/basf_se/?keygroup=audio

For the UK:
    BASF plc
    Chris Wilson
    Corporate Communications
    Phone: +44-161-488-5616
    Fax:   +44-161-488-4133
    E-Mail: chris.wilson@basf.com

    For the US:
    BASF Corporation
    Betsy Arnone
    Corporate Communications
    Phone: +1-973-245-7865
    Fax:   +1-973-245-6714
    E-Mail: betsy.arnone@basf.com

    For Europe:
    BASF SE
    Rainer Mueller-Mueffelmann
    Corporate Innovation Communications
    Phone: +49-621-60-41040
    Fax:   +49-621-60-20548
    E-Mail: podcast@basf.com