Leverkusen, October 15, 2007 – With an innovative student laboratory, Bayer adds another milestone to the educational offerings for young people. “Baylab plastics” aims at increasing student interest in science and technology, and especially plastics. During the opening ceremony at the industrial site in Cologne-Flittard, Professor Andreas Pinkwart, the minister for innovation, science, research and technology in the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, described this initiative as “tremendously important to put young people in contact with science and technology.”

Pinkwart was impressed by the possibilities that Bayer MaterialScience offers the users of Baylab plastics, particularly when viewed against the backdrop of Germany’s need for more engineers. “That’s why,” Pinkwart said, “we are specifically advertising studies in this field, and also because they offer excellent career opportunities.”

The high priority on promoting education, science and research at the company was also emphasized by Dr. Richard Pott, responsible for human resources in the Board of Management of Bayer AG, in his speech. “We want to interest young people in science and technology using a variety of facilities and activities. We want them to become enthusiastic about these topics. The student lab of Bayer Material Science is a tool to achieve this goal. Bayer, whose success as a “corporation of inventors” is based on progress in science and research, views it as an important task to promote qualified professionals and scientists, says Pott. This also includes motivating students to develop a greater interest in science and to provide them with the proper environment.

Patrick Thomas, chairman of the board of Management of Bayer MaterialScience AG, also identified well-trained and highly motivated employees as the key to success. “We are convinced that not only production, products and profits are important for this, but primarily the people.” The key factor is the dedication of well-qualified and highly motivated employees across a whole range of activities, from procurement and product development to process control and marketing. The new student laboratory is an excellent opportunity to get a certain insight into these areas during a single day. First-hand experiences are the only way for students to truly understand how individual skills and teamwork add up to economic success.”

Baylab plastics will give about 3,000 young people every year an insight in the work of a plastics manufacturer. With this, says Thomas, we have created a foundation on which more can be built. “Let’s work together on creating other plastic labs in the near future, not only in Germany but also elsewhere in Europe.” Bayer MaterialScience would be pleased to contribute with its know-how and resources. Mr. Thomas conclusion: “I believe we all agree that the idea of introducing young people to the world of science and technology not only adds value, but is also a lot of fun for all parties involved.”

Professor Manfred Euler also gave the Baylab plastics a very positive review. The director of the Department of Physics Education and the Leibniz-Institute for Science Education at the University of Kiel initiated the first student laboratories ten years ago. “The student lab movement surely contributed significantly to the changing image of sciences among students, specially girls. After a visit at the student lab, many young people look at these subjects with totally different eyes.”

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