Makrolon Bayer MaterialScience Now Called Covestro

(Newswire.net — September 15, 2015) Anaheim, CA — Back in 1999, Bayer Plastics purchased Sheffield Plastics from DSM. This acquisition was of DSM’s global transparent sheet business, which at the time produced Polycarbonate and PETG sheet. Bayer has been a leader in the production of Polycarbonate resin, and thus moved into the production of sheet from their resins.

 

Just 4 short years later, in October 2003, Bayer Chemicals AG reorganized the Bayer Polymers Group, and Bayer MaterialScience AG became the subgroup handling Plastic resins and Polycarbonate sheet production. The Bayer Polycarbonate sheet, called Makrolon, soon became a leader in the high impact polycarbonate sheet business. The Makrolon Polycarbonate Sheet is a clear plastic sheet material with a clarity level higher than glass, but is considered unbreakable when used in glazing type applications.

 

On June 1 2015, Bayer announced that they planned to change the name of the Bayer MaterialScience business, and it would become a separate and independent business called Covestro. According to a Bayer news release, the name Covestro “is made from a combination of words that reflect the identity of the new company. The letters C and O come from collaboration, while VEST signifies the company is well invested in state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. The final letters, STRO, show the company is strong. It is strong in innovation, strong in the market and with a strong workforce.”

 

Patrick Thomas is the Chief Executive Officer of Bayer MaterialScience, and CEO designate for Coverstro. Mr. Thomas stated, “Covestro represents a bold new direction and bright future for an innovation-driven polymers company”. The new Covestro business is made up for three business units:

• Polyurethanes
• Plastics
• Coatings, Adhesives and Specialties

These three business units provide products in a wide range for innovative product solutions in many everyday uses. The Covestro AG company headquarters are located in Leverkusen, Germany, and will be managed by a four person board.

• Patrick Thomas – CEO
• Frank H. Lutz – Finance and Labor Director
• Dr. Klaus Schaefer – Production and Technology
• Dr. Markus Steilemann – Innovation

Biographies and photos for the board are located at Covestro. 

The Bayer MaterialScience group has been well known for their exceptional quality polycarbonate materials, which is used in a wide range of applications including: CD’s and DVD’s (approx. 20 of the world’s CD are made from Makrolon Polycarbonate), window glazing, lighting, automotive headlights and components, medical devices and eyewear.

The Covestro products include materials for many industries, including automotive, electronics, construction, sporting goods, and furniture and textile markets. The many products produced from Makrolon Polycarbonate boast a long life cycle and are easily recyclable. The material is significantly lighter and tougher than glass while at the same time providing energy savings. The unsurpassed break resistance of Makrolon Polycarbonate provides extra security in a transparent material, and is used for police shields, visors, security windows, containment and bullet-resistant glazing.

Currently, Covestro has approximately 30 production sites and factories worldwide.