Bayer MaterialScience

Peter Vanacker joins Treofan Group as CEO

North American PETG sheet business acquired by Plaskolite

Chinese “EcoCommercial Building” project helps land sustainable construction award / Innovative materials and technology in zero-emission, 100% carbon neutral office

The Bayarena in the line of fire

Polyurethane feedstocks in June 2012: Most MDI, TDI and polyol notations roll over / First signs of seasonal downturn / Maintenance cycle causes small TDI bottlenecks / Polyol prices could follow olefins downward

Shape memory TPU is introduced / Development with BAM / Wide range of applications envisaged

Polyurethane feedstocks in May 2012: MDI in a strong rollover / TDI up by triple-digit figures as supply tightens / Polyols softer / Building season picks up in NWE / Risk of hikes despite sinking costs

First-quarter 2012 EBITDA up 15% year-on-year / Economic trend more favourable than predicted

Bayer MaterialScience's relocation to Shanghai has been successful / “No intention whatsoever” to close any European facilities / PC capacity expansion in Shanghai on track / Michael Koenig, head of Polycarbonate business unit, talks to PIE

Brazil imposes anti-dumping duties on imports from the US and China / Finance minister announces measures to ease pressure on industrial sector

Earnings and margins at MaterialScience hit by higher costs in Q1 / EUR 19m gain on full takeover of Baulé

All activities to cease at Kensington plant / PMMA sheet extrusion relocated to Louisville

Bayer MaterialScience LLC appoints Jerry MacCleary president of NAFTA region

Early results from CO2-to-polyols research look “highly promising” / Flexible foam applications

Polyurethane feedstocks in April 2012: MDI prices take another step forward / TDI cauldron still bubbling / Polyols swept upward to record heights / Isocyanate supply tighter in May / Notations continue firm

Acquisition of Arkema's “Tuffak” polycarbonate sheet business in US / Global network extended

USD 2.7m investment in flame retardants producer FRX / Environmentally friendly alternative

Full takeover of PU systems house jv Baulé completed / Strategic focus on growing markets

Lease agreement with Bayer to build first commercial-scale polyphosphonate flame retardant plant in Antwerp

Polyurethane feedstocks in March 2012: Seasonal influences spark demand / TDI producers see triple-digit gains, MDI and polyols up by single-digit figures / Producers will seek further margin gains in April

Plastics woes pull group results down in 2011 / BMS sees profits plunge 64% in Q4 / Price drive ahead

Plans for 300,000 t/y TDI plant in Cologne approved by local authorities / Enhanced safety measures

Price hike for polycarbonate

Bayer Corporation CEO Greg Babe to retire in mid-2012

Global headquarters have moved to Singapore / Relocation to be completed this year / Asian market expected to dominate sales