At its existing site in Otterup, Denmark, Bayer MaterialScience plans to establish a global wind energy competence and development center. It will spearhead and coordinate the global development activities for advanced materials used in wind energy applications. Kim Harnow Klausen has been assigned as lead of the new global Competence Center in addition to his current responsibility as Managing Director of Bayer MaterialScience A/S, Denmark.

The plan for the center underlines the commitment of Bayer MaterialScience to develop innovative and sustainable materials and technologies for generating power from renewable sources. It will bundle the development capabilities from across the company’s entire portfolio of polyurethanes, polycarbonates as well as coatings, adhesives and specialties materials, pooling expertise from research and development teams around the world.

Denmark was chosen for the location of the center because of the country’s expertise in the area of wind power and its leading position in energy efficiency. According to data by the Danish Wind Industry Association (DWIA) wind power to date already accounts for more than 20 % of the total power consumption in Denmark which is intended to be increased to up to 50 % by 2020.

• Bayer MaterialScience, Leverkusen, Germany