Exhibit 99.1



NEWS RELEASE

BASF to acquire Callery Chemical from Mine Safety Appliances Company
Transaction expands BASF inorganic chemicals line, sharpens MSA focus on core
business

MOUNT OLIVE, N.J. and PITTSBURGH, Pa., July 21, 2003 - BASF has agreed to
acquire certain assets of the Callery Chemical Division of Mine Safety
Appliances Company (AMEX:MSA), the companies announced today. BASF will pay
approximately $65 million for these assets.

The transaction will broaden BASF's inorganic chemicals portfolio and support
an expansion into important non-cyclical life science markets globally while
strengthening MSA's focus on its core safety products business, the companies
said.

The acquisition includes Callery's Evans City, Pa., site with the land and all
production facilities, business relationships, and inventory. BASF and MSA
expect to complete the transaction by the end of the third quarter of 2003,
subject to required regulatory approval, receipt of consents to assign certain
material agreements, and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.

In 2002, Callery Chemical had sales of $30 million. Operating since 1939, it
is a leading manufacturer of boron and potassium chemicals used in
pharmaceutical products and other applications. MSA, the world's leading
manufacturer of personal protective equipment, announced in November 2002 that
it was exploring the possible sale of Callery Chemical.

"Callery is a perfect fit for BASF," said Wayne Hill, group vice president,
Intermediates and Inorganics Group, BASF Corporation. "It is an attractive
business containing specialty inorganic products that expand our inorganic
product line to one of the broadest available. With high technological
know-how, production flexibility, and the ability to develop tailor-made
solutions, this acquisition can help BASF to quickly expand inorganic product
sales in important non-cyclical markets including pharmaceutical, agrochemical
and fine chemicals."

The transaction will allow MSA to focus on driving growth in its core business
- safety products that protect people - according to John T. Ryan III,
chairman and chief executive officer of MSA. "Callery has been a valuable part
of MSA for more than six decades and has grown significantly over the years
because of the efforts of the fine people who work there," Mr. Ryan said.
"However, Callery's business and MSA's safety equipment business have
progressed in different directions. The BASF acquisition marks the start of an
exciting new era for Callery Chemical because BASF has the resources and
marketing expertise to expand its leadership in specialty inorganic
chemicals."

Proceeds from the sale will be available to MSA for general corporate purposes
or may be distributed to shareholders. JP Morgan was the sole advisor to MSA
on this transaction.

BASF plans to continue manufacturing operations at the Evans City plant, which
is located north of Pittsburgh. Once the transaction closes, Callery will
become part of BASF's North American Inorganics business and its global
Inorganics division. MSA's Safety Products manufacturing operations at the
Evans City location will continue under a multi-year lease agreement between
the parties.

Although the pharmaceutical industry is presently Callery's largest market,
its products are also used worldwide in agrochemicals, surfactants, adhesives,
polymers, electronics, flavors, fragrances and automobiles. Callery's product
line comprises reagents for organic synthesis, including alkali metals and
alcoholates used as strong bases and catalysts, borane chemicals used for
selective reductions and hydroborations, and new boron products that support
the rapidly growing chemistry technology known as Suzuki coupling.


About the companies

BASF: Helping Make Products Better(TM)
BASF is the world's leading chemical company, offering its customers a range
of high-performance products, including chemicals, plastics, performance
products, agricultural products, fine chemicals as well as crude oil and
natural gas. Its distinctive approach to integration, known in German as
"Verbund," is its strength. It enables BASF to achieve cost leadership and
gives the company a competitive advantage. BASF conducts its business in
accordance with the principles of sustainable development. In 2002, BASF had
sales of $34 billion and more than 89,000 employees worldwide. BASF
Corporation is the North American affiliate of BASF AG, Ludwigshafen, Germany.
In North America, 2002 sales were approximately $8.2 billion and the company
employs approximately 12,000 people. For more information or to receive news
releases by e-mail, visit www.basf.com/usa.

MSA
MSA is the largest company dedicated to producing a complete range of
equipment and systems for worker and plant protection. A global company with
27 international affiliates, MSA products help protect lives in more than 120
countries. Key offerings include respiratory protective equipment including
gas masks and self-contained breathing apparatus, products for head, eye and
face protection, hearing protection products, thermal imaging cameras, fall
protection equipment, and portable and permanently installed gas detection and
monitoring devices. The company has annual sales of $560 million with its
largest market being the fire service industry. For more information, visit
www.msanet.com.

For more information, contact:

BASF
Bill Pagano
BASF Corporation
Tel: (973) 426-2139
E-mail: paganow@basf.com

MSA
Benedict DeMaria
MSA
Tel: (412) 967-3108
E-mail: ben.demaria@msanet.com