Bayer MaterialScience Production Facilities in Krefeld-Uerdingen Working at Full Capacity Again
Dec 22, 2006
LEVERKUSEN -- Bayer MaterialScience's carbon monoxide (CO), diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and polycarbonate production facilities at its Krefeld-Uerdingen site are once again operating at full capacity. Due to operational problems affecting carbon monoxide (CO) production at this plant, the facility had been operating at below total capacity since mid-November 2006. As a result, the company declared a force majeure for MDI in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region (EMEA). This declaration is being withdrawn with immediate effect. The shortfall in polycarbonate production was partially compensated for by sourcing supplies from other sites and making individual arrangements with customers.
At the end of September a production line for toluene diisocyanate (TDI) at the Bayer MaterialScience site in Baytown, USA, had to be shut down following an explosion. This production line has been repaired and is now gradually being brought back to full capacity. As soon as the situation permits, the declaration of force majeure will be lifted here too. This is scheduled for January 2007.
With sales of EUR 10.7 billion in 2005, Bayer MaterialScience AG is one of the world's largest polymer manufacturers. Its main fields of activity are the production of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of everyday life. The main consumer sectors are the automotive, electrical/electronics, construction, sports and leisure industries. Bayer MaterialScience has production facilities at 40 sites around the world and a workforce of approx. 18,800. Bayer MaterialScience is part of the Bayer Group.
This news release contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in our public reports filed with the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (including our Form 20-F). The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.
