DECEMBER 2005

Print Post Approved PP 339434/0007

PLASTICS NEWS INTERNATIONAL

A diverse portfolio

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

• IMC technology gains acceptance • Rapid prototyping of polyamide parts • Plastics shine in packaging awards
 COVERSTORY
A diverse portfolio
Bayer Material In the Australia and New
Zealand markets, as well as the rest of
Science AG, a part of the Asia Pacific region, Bayer
MaterialScience's product portfolio is
the Bayer Group, is a focused on four main business units:
Polyurethanes, Polycarbonates,
leading global Coatings, Adhesives and Sealants, and
Thermoplastic Polyurethanes.
supplier of polymers Reflecting its strong focus on
innovation, the company's products
and innovative system are used extensively in various
consumer industries, such as the
solutions, generating automotive, electrical engineering /
electronics, construction, sports and
sales of Eur 8.6 leisure, medical, and lifestyle
segments.
billion and employing
Polyurethanes
a global workforce of As the biggest business unit in the and environmental protection in the
global Bayer MaterialScience
approximately portfolio, polyurethanes account for
approximately 45 per cent of the
17,900. company's global sales in 2004.
It is the world's largest producer polycarbonates business unit, which
of polyurethane raw materials such as accounts for 24 per cent of the
MDI, TDI, and polyether polyols. In
Asia Pacific, its 350 000 tons/ year
MDI facility to be built in Shanghai
by 2008 will complement the more
than 100 000 tons/ year capacity
already installed in Japan.
In addition to its polyether polyol excellent impact strength and
capacities in Indonesia, Japan,
mainland China and Taiwan, the
polyurethanes business unit also has properties which allow freedom of
a network of technical centres,
systems and blending facilities
throughout the region, which
leverage on Bayer's extensive
expertise in PU technology to bring
latest technologies and innovations to PC's characteristics make the high-
the markets.
In Australia and New Zealand,
the business unit offers an extensive
range of products. These include
isocyanates, monomers and polymers replacing conventional materials such
4 D E C E M B E R2005 P L A S T I C S N E W S I N T E R N AT I O N A L
from the Desmodur range, polyols
from the Desmophen and Arcol
as metal and glass in some areas.
A good example is in the
brands and PU systems. These meet
diverse needs from manufacturers of
manufacture of automotive
headlamps, where PC has replaced
automobile parts, furniture,
construction, footwear and other
glass almost completely.
Makrolon polycarbonate is also
industries in the region.
The success of the polyurethanes
now increasingly being used in
medical applications. Medical grade
business unit is based on its focus on
innovation leadership... its excellence
PC is bio-compatible, and meets
stringent requirements set by the US
in the fields of research,
manufacturing, application and
FDA, which closely studies the impact
of contact with the material on
marketing.
In the construction industry, for
human tissue of up to 30 days, as
required by tests under the modified
example, the unit has positioned itself
as a provider of highly energy efficient
ISO 10993-I Biological Evaluation of
Medical Devices.
materials, in view of the increased
requirements towards energy saving
Grades currently marketed in
Australia include Makrolon 2458,
Asia Pacific region.
Makrolon Rx 1805 and Makrolon
Rx 2530.
Bayer also produces PC blends,
called Bayblend, which combine the
Polycarbonates
Bayer MaterialScience's
qualities
materials
of polycarbonate and other
such as ABS. Blends
manufactured using advanced flame
retardent technology are free of
company's global sales in 2004, is one antimony, bromine, and chlorine,
of the world's largest polycarbonate
making these the materials of choice
producers. by customers who value superior
Core to the business unit's
environmental qualities.
portfolio is its polycarbonate In Australia, Bayblend meets the
Makrolon, which is valued for its
regulatory specifications under the
Restriction of Hazardous Substances,
temperature resistance, glass-like or ROHS.
transparency, and good mould flow
Among the many successful
applications of Bayer's materials are
design. Other products in the portfolio diagnostic devices such as
include the high heat resistant Apec
transducers, cardiovascular devices,
and the polycarbonate blend and intravenous devices such as
Makroblend.
manifolds used in coronary
In Australia and New Zealand, arteriography.
As a leader in the polycarbonate
end engineering plastic suitable for market, Bayer MaterialScience is
various applications, as for example, constantly on the lookout for new
in the construction, electronics and
trends that may drive new product
sports equipment industries, and it is demand. One example of innovation
is with polycarbonate films, where

self-illuminated films are being
developed which can be used, for
example, to illuminate the interior of
handbags.
To meet the rapidly growing
demand for polycarbonate in Asia
Pacific, Bayer is expanding its
production capacity at Map Ta Phut,
Thailand, to 220 000 tons/year by the
end of this year.
In China, a 100 000 tons/year
capacity will come onstream next year
at the Bayer Integrated Site Shanghai.
This facility will further double its
capacity by 2008 in line with market
development.
Coatings, Adhesives and Sealants
Bayer MaterialScience is among
the largest global producers of
aliphatic polyisocyanates and
aromatic polyisocyanates, and has
established world scale facilities in
Shanghai for the production of the
coatings raw material Desmodur L
and Desmodur N.
In 2004, its Coatings, Adhesives
and Sealants business unit generated
14 per cent of the company's global
sales.
The coatings materials are used
in the automotive, construction,
furniture, and other industries. In
China, for example, Shanghai's
landmark Lu Pu Bridge is coated with
an aliphatic acrylic polyurethane
topcoat that curbs rust… based on
Bayer MaterialScience's raw
materials.
Another initiative is Artwalk, a
brand for a decorative floor coating
system. Each object is individually
designed and based upon a two-
component PU system. The floor
coating, through its unique blend of
art and functionality, is an eye-
Shoe soles manufactured from Desmopan polyurethane.
(photo pge 4)
Bayer provides Makrolon, Apec and Bayblend for interior and
exterior applications for the automotive market. (photo left)
CDs and DVDs made from Makrolon polycarbonate. (photo below)
Water cooler with 5 gallon water bottles made of Makrolon PC
have become a real lifestyle article. They provide welcome
refreshment in gyms, health clubs and offices. (photo bottom)
catcher in restaurants, shopping Focus on customers
centres, and other commercial spaces. Bayer MaterialScience's
leadership in these businesses is, in
part, a reflection of its commitment to
Thermoplastic Polyurethanes customer focus.
Bayer MaterialScience As part of its global strategy to
thermoplastic polyurethanes business ensure improved proximity to its
unit is a leading producer for customers in Asia Pacific, the
thermoplastic polyurethanes and company has invested significantly in
technical films, with key brands building up its capabilities in the
including Desmopan, Texin and region. This is evident from its
Walopur. establishment of world scale
In Australia and New Zealand, production facilities, comprehensive
these are used in applications for the technical service and development
automotive, sports and leisure, cables support, and in growing its marketing
and hoses, agriculture and and distribution networks in the
mechanical engineering sectors. region.
It is often used in the cables and
Such resources are playing an
hoses segment, reflecting the ability of increasingly significant role in
thermoplastic polyurethanes to meeting the needs of customers in
remain flexible at low temperatures, Australia and New Zealand. Here,
its good cut and abrasion resistance, Bayer MaterialScience's head office
high tensile strength and avoidance of for the Country Group Australia and
the use of plasticizers. TPUs are also New Zealand is in Melbourne. It also
used to manufacture soles and heel has offices located in Sydney and in
taps for the sports and leisure Auckland.
industry. One example of the company's
Bayer MaterialScience's TPUs commitment to its customers in the
also play an important role for the two countries is in its focus on
agricultural industry in Australia and providing reliable and efficient enables us to have material close to
New Zealand, which have vast deliveries to customers, says Andrew our customers."
numbers of livestock that require Windsor, head of Bayer "This way, we ensure that our
tagging for identification. Here, the MaterialScience for Australia and customers' demands for prompt and
durability of Desmopan tags make New Zealand. on-time deliveries can be met."
these well suited to withstand the "We have built up good working For more information, please see:
often harsh climate conditions. relations with our customers, and www.bayermaterialscience.com
A new product developed is a constantly challenge ourselves to see
polyurethane for thermo-activatable, how we can further deepen our Or contact:
solvent-free and hot-melt adhesives. understanding of their needs and to Andrew Windsor 6 1 3 9263 2339
Desmomelt is ideal for bonding better anticipate these," Windsor Jodie Brown 6 1 3 9263 2224
fabrics, especially in the garment reveals. Justin Gleeson (NZ) 0011 64 9441 8594
sector, as well as for bonding paper, "For many of our customers in Joe Severino 6 1 3 9263 2275
plastic film, leather and wood the two countries, timing is not only Rod Fitchett 6 1 3 9263 2302
products. The properties of the important… it can be critical. As
Desmomelt granules are ideal for such, we leverage on third party Makrolon, Apec, Desmodur, Desmopan, Texin,
processes where short cycle times are warehouses in all major states, which Walopur, Desmonelt and Bayblend
essential. are registered trademarks of Bayer.
P L A S T I C S N E W S I N T E R N AT I O N A L D E C E M B E R2005 5