Bayer MaterialScience LLC Announces Several Additions to Coatings, Adhesives and Specialties Leadership Team

Pittsburgh, PA, October 30, 2010 --(PR.com)-- Bayer MaterialScience LLC has appointed Dr. Volker Mirgel, Dr. Sharon Feng and John Brandt to its Coatings, Adhesives and Specialties (CAS) leadership team in the NAFTA region.

Dr. Volker Mirgel was appointed senior vice president, Coatings, Adhesives and Specialties for Bayer MaterialScience NAFTA. In this role, he directs Bayer MaterialScience LLC as a raw materials supplier for the coatings and adhesives industry in the NAFTA region.

Prior to his current position, Dr. Mirgel held an equivalent position for the European, African, South American and Middle Eastern regions. During his 31 years with Bayer, Dr. Mirgel has worked in various technical roles, as well as in marketing functions, for a number of products, from specialty chemicals to commodities.

In addition to holding a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Cologne, Dr. Mirgel has been a guest lecturer at Baida University in Beijing and at the China Europe International Business School in Shanghai.

Dr. Sharon Feng was appointed vice president of business development for Coatings, Adhesives and Specialties NAFTA and is responsible for managing application development and product performance.

Dr. Feng joined Bayer in 1992 after receiving her Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and completing post-doctoral work at the Medical University of South Carolina. Throughout her years at Bayer, she has held positions of increasing responsibility in research and development, marketing and business development in the NAFTA and Asia Pacific regions. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Feng served as vice president of Logistics Management/Industrial and Environmental Affairs for Lanxess Corporation. She has authored over 30 technical publications.

John Brandt was named head of CAS Specialties NAFTA. In this role, he is responsible for managing all aspects of the Baycusan® cosmetics raw materials, Baytubes® multiwalled carbon nanotubes and Baymedix™ coating and adhesive technologies brands for the NAFTA region.

Previously, Brandt served as the director of research and development and key account management for Functional Films NAFTA. After beginning his 22-year career with Bayer as a chemist in the Coatings division, Brandt worked in several positions of increasing responsibility within the Bayer MaterialScience CAS business unit, including an assignment in Germany where he led the Adhesives and Sealants Marketing Unit for the European, Middle Eastern and African region.

Brandt holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a master’s degree in polymer chemistry, both from Carnegie Mellon University.

Bayer MaterialScience LLC is one of the leading producers of polymers and high-performance plastics in North America and is part of the global Bayer MaterialScience business with approximately 14,300 employees at 30 production sites around the world and 2009 sales of 7.5 billion euros. The company manufactures high-tech polymer materials and develops innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction, medical, and sports and leisure industries. Sustainability is central to Bayer MaterialScience LLC’s business and is based around the key areas of innovation, product stewardship, excellence in corporate management, social responsibility and respect for the environment.

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