A perfect complement to the 'green development vision' of the regional Governments

EcoCommercial Building Program's Middle East network unveiled at The Big 5

Dubai, November 23, 2010 - Bayer MaterialScience, one of the world's largest polymer companies, today announced the launch of its path-breaking EcoCommercial Building Program in the Middle East at the region's leading construction industry fair, The Big 5, in Dubai.

Successfully launched in key markets such as Europe, the United States of America and China, the EcoCommercial Building Program enables decision-makers in the public and private sector to implement projects from low-energy passive to zero-emissions buildings with increased user comfort and reduced lifecycle costs. The initiative serves as a perfect complement to the thrust of the regional Governments to promote sustainable development by focusing on energy-efficient buildings.

"Energy efficiency in buildings is one of the most effective levers in tackling green house gas emissions and ensuring sustainable patterns of consumption of scarce resources from fossil fuels to water," said Stephan Rosenthal, Managing Director of Bayer Middle East, at the launch event. "Green building solutions are therefore a focus of the Bayer Climate Program - our policy to develop sustainable solutions across all our areas of operations. Bayer MaterialScience has been a long-standing trusted partner of the construction industry."

An interdisciplinary network of member companies in sustainable construction, the EcoCommercial Building Program involves a holistic planning approach to building design and deploying innovative materials and state-of-the-art technology from the very beginning.

Rather than installing air-conditioning and building technology in a finished building, the EcoCommercial Building Program starts with optimizing the shape and material consistency of the building envelope for local climatic conditions in order to diminish primary energy consumption levels.

In a second step, the network identifies custom-tailored solutions for sources of renewable energy production, such as photovoltaics and solar thermal energy for combined cooling, heating and power, to minimize emissions. Lastly, innovative flooring and sound absorption materials help to maximize user comfort and health.

"Sustainable buildings serve as a driver of both economic value and reputation. The EcoCommercial Building Program offers a win-win solution with building lifecycle cost reduction on the one hand and cementing Middle Eastern companies' pole position in the race for viable green city models on the other," said Dr. Thomas Braig, Head of The EcoCommercial Building Program Region Europe, Middle East, Africa. "With the launch of the EcoCommercial Building Program in the Middle East, together with our network members we are bringing a premium offering for ecologically sound construction to a vibrant growth region," he added.

The founding members in the program's Middle East network include: Bolidt, a leading manufacturer of sustainable synthetic flooring from The Netherlands; Building Components Solutions (BCOMS), a leading construction materials company in the Middle East, manufacturing pre-insulated sandwich panels for roof and wall insulation, and a subsidiary of Zamil Group based in Khobar, Saudi Arabia; Fermacell, a German company and a global leader in high-performance multi-purpose building boards from recycled gypsum and recycled cellulose fibres for optimal internal space planning, based in Abu Dhabi; planquadrat Middle East, an architectural practice specialized in sustainable town planning and structural engineering founded by the German architects Elfers, Geskes and Kraemer with Samir Khanfar, a civil engineer from UAE; SAT Insulation Materials Industry, a subsidiary of SAT Group based in Dubai, UAE, producing energy-efficient, noise-reducing and air quality improving air duct systems for HVAC applications; Bayer Sheet Europe, producer of high-grade polycarbonate sheets for a range of applications in construction and Bayer Technology Services (BTS) Middle East, offering building lifecycle analysis and planning as well as engineering services.

"Cost-effective widespread implementation of green buildings is a key challenge faced by regional governments and the private sector as they embark on ambitious infrastructure development programs. The region's projected rapid urbanization means that an additional 86 million people will require a sustainable urban infrastructure within the next ten years according to World Bank estimates," said Pejman Norastehfar, Head of the EcoCommercial Building Program in the Middle East, explaining the relevance of the network's offering to the region. "Together with our regional network members, we are thrilled to be in a position to contribute to the continued success and role-model character of the region in pioneering sustainable construction and urban planning, and invite further highly qualified companies to join our network."

The Middle East is one of the key markets for Bayer MaterialScience, and has been involved with Masdar City in Abu Dhabi since January 2010 through an agreement with Mubadala Development Company.  The agreement focuses on developing the Bayer MaterialScience EcoCommercial Building Program through the proposed construction of an EcoCommercial Building prototype in Masdar City. Energy-optimized solutions by Bayer MaterialScience are already incorporated at the Al Falah Ready Mix laboratory on the Masdar City site. The laboratory already sets clear standards in terms of climate protection.

-Ends-

About the EcoCommercial Building Program:
The EcoCommercial Building Program of Bayer MaterialScience is an integral part of the Bayer Climate Program. It offers decision-makers in the construction industry a unique portfolio of services and material solutions for custom-tailored energy efficient and economical low to zero emissions building projects that are optimized for local climatic conditions. Together with its interdisciplinary network of international and regional experts, Bayer MaterialScience supports e.g. architects, project developers and construction companies, property developers and real estate managers of large companies in the implementation of public and commercial buildings that significantly exceed the existing sustainability standards. The Program's portfolio ranges from energy efficiency calculations during planning to the use of sustainable materials and the generation of renewable energy.

About Bayer MaterialScience:
With 2009 sales of EUR 7.5 billion, Bayer MaterialScience is among the world's largest polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction and the sports and leisure industries. At the end of 2009, Bayer MaterialScience had 30 production sites and employed approximately 14,300 people around the globe. Bayer MaterialScience is a Bayer Group company. For more information, log on to: www.bayermaterialscience.com

Contact:
Dr. Katrin Kammer-Wilke, phone: +971 4 8817774
Email: katrin.wilke@bayer.com
Find more information at www.bayermaterialscience.com,
ARC-BMS-2010-1013

Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup 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 Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

© Press Release 2010