Background

Since the start of 2004, Bayer MaterialScience AG has been an independent, globally-operating company within the Bayer Group. Following its reorganization, the company is now intelligently positioned on the market and is capable of acting rapidly, flexibly, and reliably, offering a high level of competence – something which is also made clear by the company's new motto, "VisionWorks".

Bayer MaterialScience employs around 18,000 employees at more than 40 locations throughout the world. Sales of some 8.6 billion euros were achieved in 2004, and approximately 7 million tons of raw materials produced. An average of one patent every working day is registered by company employees.

Bayer MaterialScience is currently making major investments in the boom region of Asia. New production facilities for a wide range of different products are under construction in Caojing (Shanghai, China), with an investment volume of 1.8 billion US dollars. The company's activities are focused on sustainable, profitable growth. This is why Bayer MaterialScience not only places great importance on optimizing efficiency, but is also geared towards innovations and creative system solutions.
Bayer Materialscience Business Units
Coatings, Adhesives and Sealants

Coatings, adhesives and sealant systems based on polyurethane raw materials from Bayer MaterialScience reliably protect surfaces against the effects of weather and chemicals, while offering high-quality mechanical properties at the same time. Environmentally-compatible Bayhydrol® and Bayhydur® coating raw materials, for instance, have proved particularly successful in water-based polyurethane paint systems.
Polycarbonates

High-grade Makrolon®, Makrofol® and Apec® polycarbonates, together with the Bayblend® and Makroblend® polycarbonate blends, rank among Bayer MaterialScience's best-sellers. These products are indispensable when it comes to the production of automotive components, data carriers such as CDs and DVDs, and a large number of other everyday items.
Polyurethanes

Polyurethanes are an integral part of many aspects of daily life. Their broad application range extends from mattresses, via automobile seats, refrigerator insulation and car bumpers, through to shoe soles. The key product brands used here are Desmodur® and Desmophen®.
Thermoplastic Polyurethanes

Thermoplastic polyurethanes unite the properties of high-grade polyurethane elastomers with the efficient processability of thermoplastics. Resins under the brand names Desmopan® and Texin® are used in technical films and textile coatings, belts, hoses, cables and profiles, in the automotive sector (interior, exterior, chassis), in a multitude of applications in sports & leisure (e.g. ski and sport shoes and sport equipment) and last but not least in agriculture, mechanical engineering and industrial applications.
Inorganic Basic Chemicals

Inorganic basic chemicals constitute the backbone of production at Bayer MaterialScience. This is because chlorine and its by-products of caustic soda, hydrogen and hydrochloric acid form the basis of many of the products that the company manufactures.
Other Bayer Materialscience Companies

Hennecke, H.C Starck and Wolff Walsrode, which operate as independent companies, round off the portfolio of high-grade products, technologies and future-oriented know-how and represent true added value for Bayer MaterialScience.

Additional expert companies, active on the market for specific industries, are integrated in the organizational structure of the individual business units.