Bayer holds official 150th anniversary celebration – The chemical industry in NRW receives official recognition

“150 years of Bayer – that is indeed something very special. This anniversary fills everyone at Bayer with joy and great pride,” said Dr. Marijn Dekkers, Chairman of the Board of Management. “We at Bayer are living the mission 'Science for a Better Life' meaning that we are seizing opportunities that science offers and drawing on the experience of one and a half centuries to make people’s lives better.”

Dekkers noted that just as 150 years ago the success of the business still evolved around the development of new molecules. “It is still about who has the best ideas, and who can discover the hidden aspects. In short, it’s about who is innovative... because that alone represents our opportunity for the future and is the key to our success in the world’s markets,” he continued. He went on to say that although “Made in Germany “ has come to represent an innovative spirit that has won international acclaim, the world was not waiting for Germany and the country could not rest on its laurels.

Guest speaker Hannelore Kraft congratulated Bayer on its innovations over the past 150 years and for their use in improving everyday life. She also endorsed the presence of the chemical industry and its contribution to the economy of NRW. In particular, she mentioned the multi-million Euro investment, made by Bayer at its site in Dormagen and wished the company well for its topping out ceremony of the new TDI plant, to be held later this week. Kraft also went on to mention the positive impact of insulation on reducing climate change and the progress made in using carbon dioxide as a raw material for chemicals such as polyols for use in foams. She emphasised the positive contribution that Bayer has made to today’s life and will make to the quality of life in the next 50 years.

Dr. Angela Merkel also congratulated on Bayer’s success over the past 150 years and although she could understand the mission statement “Science for a Better Life" she said it was a pity it was in English. She also congratulated on Bayer’s continuing schools programme, and explained that much needed to be done to encourage young people, and in particular young women to take up science as a career.

The event, compared by Judith Rakers, also included a number of film presentations and music from the Bayer Philharmonic Orchestra.

A few weeks earlier 30,000 present and past colleagues and their families took party in a huge party at the BayArena, Leverkusen. The programme included drummers, acrobatics, and comedian Guido Cantz as well as musical contributions from the Bayer Philharmonic Orchestra accompanying David Garrett.