DEERFIELD, Ill. - February 11, 2009 - Baxter International Inc. was recently recognized among the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World and released a new Code of Conduct, reinforcing the company's commitment to the highest standards of business ethics and integrity. Baxter was also featured in the new book Green Biz: 50 Green, Profitable Companies Reveal Their Strategies and Successes for its leadership in sustainability.

Several Baxter regions and locations recently received recognition for their efforts to advance diversity and environmental initiatives. In Asia Pacific, Baxter received the prestigious Catalyst Award for its diversity and inclusion initiatives. Baxter's Thousand Oaks, Calif. facility was honored with the "Flex Your Power Award," the Cleveland, Miss. facility was selected to participate in the state's enHance program, and the Round Lake, Ill. facility was recognized with a Pollution Prevention Award. Further information about Baxter's sustainability activities can be found on http://sustainability.baxter.com/.

Baxter Recognized Among the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations
For the fifth consecutive year, Baxter has been recognized as one of the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World by Innovest Strategic Value Advisors, an internationally recognized investment research and advisory firm. Baxter is one of four healthcare companies globally, and the only U.S. healthcare company, to have been recognized in the Global 100 each year since the list was first published in 2005. The 2009 list includes 20 U.S. companies recognized for corporate sustainability performance, Baxter being one of two U.S.-based healthcare companies. The Global 100 was announced on January 28, 2009 during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The Global 100 is selected from a pool of 1,800 publicly-traded international companies to form a list of those that have the best developed abilities, relative to their peers, to manage the environmental, social and governance risks and opportunities that they face.

Integrity Works Here: Baxter Releases New Code of Conduct
Baxter reinforced its continuing commitment to maintaining a culture of integrity with the debut of its new Code of Conduct on January 12. Baxter updated its Code of Conduct to reflect changes in industry practices, and include a more user-friendly format, complete with supporting Q&A, decision guides and lists of additional resources arranged by topic. The company chose to change the title from "Global Business Practice Standards" to "Code of Conduct" to reflect language that has become more standardized and customary in this area.

Baxter's Code of Conduct is available in 20 languages. All Baxter employees received a copy and will participate in mandatory online or classroom training to reinforce the updated content. Enhanced internal and external websites offer additional tools for employees and outside stakeholders to learn more about Baxter's policies.

The new Code of Conduct builds upon Baxter's long-standing commitment to leadership in ethical business practices, beginning with the company's first published set of policies in 1989. According to David Resnicoff, associate general counsel and vice president of ethics and compliance, "The Code of Conduct is an important tool for every Baxter employee. Understanding company policies and committing to the highest standards of business ethics and compliance will help to make Baxter stronger, more competitive and more sustainable." Baxter's Code of Conduct can be viewed at www.baxter.com/codeofconduct/.

Baxter Honored for Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives in Asia Pacific
In recognition of its continuing commitment to diversity, Baxter received the Catalyst Award for its innovative Building Talent Edge program in Asia Pacific. The Catalyst Award annually honors innovative organizational approaches with proven, measurable results that address the recruitment, development, and advancement of women. Baxter introduced its Building Talent Edge initiative in its Asia Pacific region in 2005.

The main objective of the program is to develop a 50/50 gender balance across positions at the management and executive levels throughout 14 countries. Building Talent Edge has delivered solid increases for women in critical positions across the region: women in management and executive positions increased from 31 percent in 2004 to 50 percent in 2008, and four out of 16 general managers are women. This is the second time Baxter has won the Catalyst Award and the first time Catalyst has recognized a company's efforts across the Asia Pacific region.

Baxter Featured in Green Biz Book as Sustainability Leader
Baxter is among 50 global companies profiled in the new book Green Biz: 50 Green, Profitable Companies Reveal Their Strategies and Successes. The collection of 50 sustainable companies around the world identifies the innovative ways leading global companies have adapted their business plans to become environmentally sustainable while remaining profitable and continuing to grow. The book was compiled by Ceres - the largest coalition of investor groups, environmental organizations, and investment funds in North America "“ which engages directly with companies, including Baxter, on environmental and social issues.

Thousand Oaks Facility Recognized for Energy Efficiency
Baxter's BioScience manufacturing facility in Thousand Oaks, Calif. was recognized by Flex Your Power, California's statewide energy efficiency campaign, with a "Flex Your Power Award" in the Energy Efficiency Category. Baxter was selected from among several hundred finalists for the award that recognizes efforts to reduce total energy consumption through installation of energy efficient equipment, lighting, and appliances or the completion of energy efficient building retrofit or new construction projects.

Baxter Joins Mississippi's enHance Program for Environmental Stewardship
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality selected Baxter's facility in Cleveland, Miss. as one of the first participants in its new enHance program, a voluntary state incentive program that encourages environmental stewardship and recognizes environmental leaders. Similar to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Performance Track program, Mississippi's program showcases the environmental leaders who make a commitment to promote and implement practices that reduce waste, conserve resources, and strive for environmental excellence through continuous improvement. The enHance program's three tiers, Leader, Steward, and Associate, recognizes those facilities that contribute to the enhancement of the environment. Baxter’s facility achieved the designation of Leader.

Round Lake Facility Wins Pollution Prevention Award from State of Illinois
Baxter's Round Lake, Ill. research and development facility recently received a 2008 Illinois Pollution Prevention Award for Continuous Improvement. For the past 22 years, the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center has worked with the Illinois government to recognize businesses and organizations in the state that have successfully reduced the generation of gaseous, liquid and solid waste. The Round Lake facility was recognized for a number of successful environmental projects developed during 2007 to increase energy efficiency, reduce waste, conserve water, restore habitats, and improve air quality. To date, project results have included energy savings of 366,000 kilowatt hours per year, the restoration of 10 acres of Baxter-owned land to its natural features, and the conservation of approximately 910,000 gallons of water per year.

About Baxter
Baxter's commitment to sustainability spans three decades. The company is included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and has been recognized by Innovest Strategic Value Advisors as one of the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations in the World, by Corporate Responsibility Officer magazine as one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens and by the U.S. EPA as a Performance Track Corporate Leader. Baxter is a member of the Center for Corporate Citizenship at Boston College, the Business Environmental Leadership Council of the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, the Chicago Climate Exchange, the U.S. EPA's Climate Leaders and the Ethics & Compliance Officer Association. Baxter endorses the Ceres principles and is an organizational stakeholder of the Global Reporting Initiative.

Baxter International Inc. (NYSE: BAX) develops, manufactures and markets products that save and sustain the lives of people with hemophilia, immune disorders, infectious diseases, kidney disease, trauma, and other chronic and acute medical conditions. As a global, diversified healthcare company, Baxter applies a unique combination of expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to create products that advance patient care worldwide.

Baxter International Inc.

Baxter International Inc.

At Baxter, sustainability means creating lasting social, environmental and economic value by addressing the needs of the company’s wide-ranging stakeholder base. The company's sustainability efforts support Baxter's mission to apply innovative science in the development of products and therapies that save and sustain patients' lives.

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