Research at Bayer

Research at Bayer MaterialScience

Investment in research and development at Bayer MaterialScience in 2009 came to €207 million, not including the company’s joint development activities with customers. This was 7,5 percent of the Bayer Group’s R&D spending.

In the Polycarbonates business unit, for example, work is ongoing to further improve and fine-tune the melt polycarbonate process for the new polycarbonate production facility in Shanghai, China. There is also a major focus on the development of plastics with improved flame-retardant properties for the electrical and automotive industries (Bayblend® FR series and Makrolon®) and high-performance polycarbonate film (Makrofol®) for automotive interiors and cellphone housings.

New Applications for High-Tech Materials

	Waterborne 2K-PU-Coating Meeting ecological requirements		Printable aliphatic Desmopan® films for improved mechanical properties & light stability
	Aspartates for innovative corrosion protection		Multitec® Short Fiber Spraying – Fast, efficient process
	New Makroblend® product lines for use in automative exterior parts – high toughness even at low temperatures		ETICS External thermal insulation composite system
	Flame resistant Bayblend® grades with Eco-label compliance		Bayflex® Lightweight Density reduction, excellent dynamic compression set performance
	New scratch-resistant Makrolon® grades for automotive glazing

Examples of new product developments at Bayer MaterialScience:

Polycarbonates

In the Polycarbonates Business Unit, for example, work is going on to further improve and fine-tune the melt polycarbonate process for the new polycarbonate production plant in Caojing (China), which is being equipped with the very latest production processes. Examples of innovative product applications include the development of diffuser sheets that ensure even distribution of the light in the backlighting of flat LCD screens, and the development of plastics with improved flame retardance through nanoparticles.

Polyurethanes

The Polyurethanes Business Unit is driving the ongoing improvement of existing processes for the production of aromatic isocyanates and polyethers as well as the development of new products for new applications. In the field of modern high-performance composites, in which polyurethanes hold a key position, we have succeeded in developing a new Baydur® formulation for exterior parts of large vehicles. It is superior to the material currently used in terms of both heat resistance and strength.

The Coatings, Adhesives, Specialties Business Unit is another example of our innovative capabilities. The focus here is on the development of raw materials for high-grade paints and coatings, adhesives, sealants and functional films. An important area of research is polyurethane raw materials for low-solvent or solvent-free – and thus more environmentally friendly – coatings systems.

Applications include automotive interiors, and textile and leather coatings. Other typical fields of application are in industrial coating and the coating of wood, furniture and plastics.
With Baycusan® Bayer MaterialScience is breaking new ground in polyurethane chemistry: These new solvent-free, environmentally compatible raw materials offer significantly improved properties for hair- and skin-care products and decorative cosmetics.

Specialties

The 'Specialties' segment embraces a variety of research activities and innovative product developments that are still at the beginning of their life cycle. Developments in the field of nanotechnology research point the way to highly promising improvements in the performance characteristics of existing products. Innovative surface technologies hold out excellent prospects for new and improved applications in medical technology.

To tap possible new areas of activity, the “New Business” unit studies and evaluates innovative technology and market trends. These are then implemented in the business units or in independent companies. Bayer MaterialScience also works closely with universities, institutes and start-ups throughout the world on research and development projects.

21th edition

The sparkling fingerprint: Bayer technology makes cash and credit cards forgery-proof

Master of birefringence: Dr. Friedrich-Karl Bruder develops material for DVDs and holo-disks

Well insulated and mobile: Combating climate change: New materials reduce CO2 emissions

Electricity from plastics- the stick-on power unit: Nanoparticles make solar cells more economical and effective

Nanotubes take off: Tiny carbon tubes help save energy

20th edition

PUre climate protection: “Green plastics” as substitutes for petrochemistry

Silky smooth skin and hair: Polyurethanes for effective cosmetics without solvents

Cut and paste: Polyurethanes help to seal wounds effectively

More articles from research, 20 ^th Edition

19th edition

Large-format TV: High-purity Makrolon® lights up LCD monitors

A memory for things: Plastics for RFID technology

More articles from research, 19 ^th Edition

18 edition

Holds up in the heat: New insulating material for high temperatures

Away from the tube: New process optimizes aniline production

Fashionable foams: Bayer researchers develop a solvent-free raw material for imitation leather

More articles from research, 18 ^th Edition