Bayer MaterialScience has announced plans to invest EUR 110 million to build five new downstream facilities in China by 2012 as part of an ongoing process to serve the booming manufacturing sector in the country. The facilities comprise three polyurethanes systems houses, a new polycarbonate sheet facility and a polycarbonate color compounding and design center. Each will be strategically located close to major customers in Shanghai, Qingdao, Chongqing and Guangzhou.

With these projects, Bayer MaterialScience will increase its downstream presence considerably in what has become the company’s second largest market worldwide.

Asia-Pacific currently accounts for more than 60 % of the world’s polycarbonate production, though that figure is expected to rise to 65 % by 2015. China accounts for the majority of this demand, and is regarded as the main driver for this growth in view of the increasing importance of the domestic automotive, rail, consumer appliance and electronic industries.

• Bayer MaterialScience, Leverkusen, Germany