Bayer Group

Research at Bayer

Innovation plays an important role in overcoming global challenges and is a key driver of future growth at Bayer.

In 2010 Bayer spent €3,053 million on research and development (r&d), which was equivalent to 8.7 percent of sales. Special importance is placed on developing new products that strengthen the core businesses. Mindful of its corporate growth objectives, Bayer works to continuously rejuvenate and expand its product portfolio and optimize its production processes. Its r&d is closely aligned to market requirements and therefore subject to a continuous process of adjustment. It is supplemented by an international network of collaborations with leading universities, publicsector research institutes and partner companies. Through this pooling of expertise, Bayer aims to rapidly translate new ideas into successful products. These activities are also supported by systematic employee development in the company’s r&d units

Innovation Areas of the Bayer Group

Research in the three subgroups

Of the Group’s entire R&D expenditures, Bayer HealthCare accounted for 67,7 percent, Bayer CropScience for 23,6 percent and Bayer MaterialScience for 7,6 percent.

Research Spending

Research and Development Expenses 2010
by subgroup in %

Research and Development Expenses 2010
by subgroup in € million

Responsibility for the development of innovative products and completely new fields of business outside of the subgroups’ core activities lies with Bayer Innovation GmbH, headquartered in Düsseldorf, Germany. The goal of this company is to add to Bayer’s business portfolio and facilitate access to new growth markets. The current focus is on medical and security technology and the use of plants to develop and manufacture new pharmaceutical products.

More than 3,000 suggestions have already been submitted in response to the innovation initiative launched by Bayer AG in 2007, entitled “Triple-i: Inspiration, Ideas, Innovation.” Many of these proposals are currently undergoing further evaluation by our subgroups. The initiative is designed to motivate employees throughout the Group to submit ideas for new products and thus help to strengthen Bayer’s innovation capability.