Bayer Norden: Research and innovation

Research at Bayer

In 2007 Bayer invested a total of EUR 2,578 million in research and development. By focusing resources on innovation and growth in our HealthCare, CropScience and MaterialScience subgroups, we aim to create the basis for sustained, longterm expansion in the markets of the future. It is particularly important for us to continuously optimize our product portfolio and manufacturing processes, while at the same time developing new products aimed at strengthening our core businesses.

All the subgroups work hand in hand with Bayer Technology Services on engineering issues, particularly in the area of process technology. Research also focuses on enabling technologies such as biotechnology and nanotechnology, which offer considerable potential for developing new products and businesses.

Research Spending

For innovation projects in particular, Bayer has a network of collaborations with leading universities, public-sector research institutes and partner companies. These collaborations allow the pooling of expertise so as to rapidly translate new ideas into successful products.

Research and Development Expenses 2007 by subgroup in %

Research and Development Expenses 2007 by subgroup in € million

Responsibility for the development of innovative products and completely new fields of business outside of the subgroups’ core activities lies with Bayer Innovation GmbH, headquartered in Düsseldorf, Germany. The goal of this company is to add to Bayer’s business portfolio and facilitate access to new growth markets. The current focus is on medical and security technology and the use of plants to develop and manufacture new pharmaceutical products.

To develop the company's power of innovation still further, a Group-wide innovation initiative has been launched under the motto “inspiration, ideas, innovation”, which is shortened to “Triple-i”. This long-term initiative is designed to encourage all employees worldwide to develop creative suggestions and ideas and make them available for the benefit of the Group through a specially created innovation process. In this, special attention is paid to identifying ideas and options that go beyond the remit of the subgroups or lie at the interfaces between them.