Bayer’s Lightweight Materials Help Reduce Vehicle Weight, Enhance Styling

Dearborn, MI, May 21, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Polycarbonate and polyurethane are increasingly being utilized by automakers to help improve the energy efficiency of vehicles. Understanding the respective value chains of these materials can be beneficial for OEMs who are seeking to expand their use.

At the Motor Vehicle Metals and Resins conference, held May 17 in Dearborn, Mich., Bruce Benda, vice president, Automotive and Transportation, Bayer MaterialScience LLC, shared his insights on this topic during his presentation “Trends in Resins.” More specifically, he explained the chemistries behind these materials and offered additional context that will be useful for attendees who are specifying these materials for automotive applications.

Benda also participated in a panel discussion focused on the resins industry moderated by Jeff Mengel, partner/plastics industry group leader, Plante Moran. Joining Benda on the panel was Benjamin Morse, senior editor, Platts Petrochemicals; and Paul Blanchard, director, Engineering Resins, IHS Chemical.

Because of all the advantages polycarbonate and polyurethane offer, including enhanced styling and the ability to reduce component weight, demand is expected to remain strong. Attendees can visit Bayer’s booth to see firsthand its automotive lightweighting technologies and how Bayer can support both automotive OEMs and their suppliers.

About Bayer MaterialScience LLC:
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 14,800 employees at 30 production sites around the world and 2011 sales of 10.8 billion euros. Bayer MaterialScience’s 2011 sales in North America were $2.9 billion. 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.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer’s public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

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