History

Relocation of DIC Covestro Polymer Head Office

Sumika Covestro Urethane Co., Ltd. marks its 50th anniversary

Innovation Center renews its lab space, to strengthen capability on Automotive and Construction markets

Covestro raises stake of DIC Covestro Polymer Ltd. from 50% to 80%

Niihama Plant receives prestigious safety award from Japan Chemical Industry Association.

Covestro Japan Ltd. Head Office and Sumika Covestro Urethane Co., Ltd. Tokyo Office are relocated to new Tokyo Office.

1st September

Covestro starts operations of the Bayer MaterialScience business in Japan under the name of Covestro Japan Ltd., Sumika Covestro Urethane Ltd., and DIC Covestro Polymer Ltd.

Bayer MaterialScience Japan consolidates its offices in Kansai area at Amagasaki Sumika Bayer Urethane Co., Ltd. headquarters.

Bayer MaterialScience's Innovation Center is expanded and commences full-fledged operation.

DIC Bayer Polymer Ltd. constructs a new compounding plant.

Bayer MaterialScience Ltd. is established as a holding company of Bayer MaterialScience group in Japan.

Sumika Bayer Urethane Co., Ltd. successfully achieves two million working hours without recordable incident at its Niihama Plant.

Bayer AG undergoes a comprehensive restructuring process. The plastics unit becomes Bayer MaterialScience, an independent subgroup.

Sumitomo Bayer Urethane Co., Ltd. changes name to Sumika Bayer Urethane Co., Ltd.

Capital share of Sumitomo Bayer Urethane Co., Ltd. change (Bayer : Sumitomo Chemical = 60 : 40)

DIC Bayer Polymer Ltd. is established as a joint venture of Bayer Ltd. and Dainippon Ink and Chemicals Inc. (Now, DIC Corporation)

Production of MDI, a raw material for rigid polyurethane foam, begins in Niihama.

The polyurethane business is divided out from Bayer Japan Ltd., and Sumika Bayer Urethane Co., Ltd. is jointly established by Bayer AG and Sumitomo Chemical.

Industrial production of the polycarbonate Makrolon® begins in Krefeld-Uerdingen.

Bayer chemist Hermann Schnell invents polycarbonate in the central laboratory of the Krefeld-Uerdingen plant.

Chemist Otto Bayer invents polyurethanes in Leverkusen. Because the advantages of the new material are initially unclear, a number of years pass before industrial production begins.

Friedrich Bayer & Co. is established as a wholly owned subsidiary in Kobe, Japan.

The red direct dye Benzopurpurine developed by Bayer and Agfa's Congo Red are introduced to Japan.