Bayer Corporation Invests $17 Million to Create “Workspace of the Future” at U.S. Headquarters

(3BL Media / theCSRfeed) PITTSBURGH. April 15, 2011 – Bayer Corporation today announced a $17 million "Workspace of the Future" renovation project at its U.S. headquarters in Pittsburgh.

The planned improvements focus on two buildings which house the largest number of employees, approximately 825 of the 1,500 employees at the suburban Robinson Township campus. After completion, expected by June 2013, the buildings will feature open-area workspaces designed to boost employee collaboration and environmental sustainability.   The new working environment will integrate and showcase Bayer MaterialScience products in the design. For example, Bayer invented polycarbonate, a synthetic thermoplastic resin used in a wide range of products. Bayer MaterialScience's Makrolon® MAK™ clear polycarbonate will be used at the workstations, allowing natural light to filter throughout the workplace. LED (light-emitting diode) light fixture lenses will be made of the polycarbonate material, as will lobby architectural panels displaying the Bayer logo.   Another Bayer MaterialScience product, Technogel®, will be incorporated into employee and guest seating throughout the buildings. The polyurethane “liquid solid” substance provides greater ergonomic comfort.   Additional energy-efficient design features include: Energy Star-rated heating and cooling systems, low-flow plumbing to reduce water usage by 20 to 40 percent and GThurm windows, a line of energy-efficient windows, recently launched by Graham Architectural Products. The windows feature Graham glass-reinforced polyurethane technology, which employs a unique polyurethane resin supplied by Bayer MaterialScience LLC. In addition to stability and durability, the windows offer thermal insulation and environmental friendliness.   “Innovation is part of Bayer’s DNA, and we want our North American headquarters to reflect that,” said Bob Kumpf, Bayer MaterialScience LLC Chief Administrative Officer. “We’re excited that this new work environment will allow employees to work together more efficiently and, at the same time, demonstrate how our products contribute to an efficient, attractive and sustainable work environment.”   Bayer is pursuing LEED-CI (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – Commercial Interior) gold-level certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for the project. LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system. It provides official verification that building designs meet high energy efficiency and environmental standards.   For Social Media Users: Follow us on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/BayerUSNews or http://www.twitter.com/BayerBMSLLC or http://www.twitter.com/BayerMSMS Watch us on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BayerChannel Like us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BayersMSMS   About Bayer Corporation
Bayer Corporation, headquartered in Pittsburgh, is a subsidiary of Bayer AG, an international health care, nutrition and high-tech materials group based in Leverkusen, Germany. The company’s products and services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life. The Corporation is committed to the principles of sustainable development and to its role as a socially and ethically responsible corporate citizen. Economy, ecology and social responsibility are corporate policy objectives of equal rank. In North America, Bayer had 2010 net sales of EUR 8.23 billion ($10.86 billion) and employed 16,400 at year-end. For more information, go to www.bayerus.com.   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 14,400 employees at 30 production sites around the world and 2010 sales of 10.2 billion euros. Bayer MaterialScience's North American sales were 2.0 billion euros in 2010. 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.   Contact: Bryan Iams, phone: (412) 777-5200 E-mail: bryan.iams@bayer.com   BAYER13616