Bayer Norden: Research and innovation

Research at Bayer

As a research-based company, the Bayer Group firmly believes in innovation as a key driver for future growth. We have the necessary resources in place to realize further growth opportunities for the future through research and development activities.

In 2010 we invested a total of EUR 3,053 million in research and development, compared with EUR 2,746 million in the previous year. It is particularly important for us to develop new products that strengthen our core businesses while at the same time continuously optimizing our product portfolio and our manufacturing processes.

Our research activities are closely aligned to the requirements of our markets, with customer needs and technological advances presenting opportunities for future innovation.

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

With innovation projects in particular, our own research and development activities are supplemented by our international network of collaborations with leading universities, public-sector research institutes and partner companies. Through this pooling of expertise, we aim to rapidly translate new ideas into successful products.

Research and Development Expenses by subgroup in %

Research and Development Expenses 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.