Bayer MaterialScience NAFTA


	News

	Events

	Newsletters

	Frequently Asked Questions

	Bayer Global
	Bayer US
	Bayer MaterialScience Global
	Sheffield Plastics
	BayerONE eBusiness
	Product Safety First
	Bayer Jobs



	General Conditions of Use Privacy Statement Imprint

For Immediate Release

Lightweight Windows from Polycarbonates: Bayer and Great Wall Motors collaborate for better energy efficiency in cars

April 23, 2012

Beijing, April 23, 2012 — Bayer MaterialScience has collaborated with Chinese car manufacturer, Great Wall Motors (GWM), in the development of glazing for the "Haval E" concept car. GWM's "Haval E" concept car, unveiled today during the 2012 Beijing Auto Show, utilizes seven glazing components made of high-performance Makrolon® polycarbonate from Bayer MaterialScience. This concept car is the first of its kind in China to utilize the extensive application of polycarbonate glazing to produce a lightweight vehicle. Innovative automotive glazing technology enables the use of lightweight materials in cars that reduce fuel consumption and thus increase energy efficiency. The collaboration between Bayer, one of the leading global polymer companies, and GWM, the largest SUV and pickup manufacturer in China, demonstrates Bayer's commitment to working closely with customers for sustainable development in China.

"The world today is facing diverse challenges, and Bayer MaterialScience strives to address some of the most significant megatrends ranging from globalization and urbanization to demographic shifts and climate change. China is now playing a bigger role in the global market, and it sets up an ambitious target for energy consumption," says Michael Koenig, head, Polycarbonates, and executive committee member, Bayer MaterialScience. "In the meantime, China has become the world's largest consumer and manufacturer of automobiles. The application of advanced materials will make great contributions to energy savings and pave the way for a more sustainable automotive industry."

On the topic of Bayer's collaboration with GWM, Dr. Klaus Schaefer, president, Bayer MaterialScience China, explained, "Bayer MaterialScience is pleased to cooperate with Great Wall Motors, which places innovative technology as central to its growth strategy. With the blueprint of the 12th five-year plan, energy efficiency has grown to become a megatrend, and the Chinese government also encourages domestic companies to foster indigenous innovation. Both of our companies aim to contribute to sustainable growth in China, and this win-win cooperation will showcase our commitment in this regard to Chinese customers."

Mr. Wei Jianjun, Chairman of GWM, further explained, "The collaboration between GWM and Bayer marks a milestone in the sustainable development of China's automotive industry. It is born out of a mutual drive to meet China's energy objectives with innovative solutions and will have a significant impact on the future of the automotive industry in China and the world."

The innovative application of Makrolon® polycarbonate in the development of GWM's "Haval E" concept car fully showcases Bayer's initiative to adapt its product portfolio to meet the concept car's needs for streamlined design, which cannot be fulfilled by traditional glass. Automotive polycarbonate glazing presents a significant advantage for manufacturers, and this technological innovation contributes to lightweight, energy savings, improved driving performance, and full freedom of design.

The concept car is equipped with a large panorama roof that replaces glass with Makrolon® polycarbonate to effectively decrease the weight. Replacing glass with Makrolon® polycarbonate can reduce the weight by as much as 50 percent, resulting in a substantial decrease in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. At the same time, the reduced weight lowers the vehicle's center of gravity and improves driving performance.

Polycarbonate also allows an impressive level of design freedom, which is extremely advantageous for automobile manufacturers seeking flexible and sustainable alternatives to glass. Glazing can be produced in an ultra-modern injection molding process, making it possible to directly integrate functions and parts without difficulty, which offers greater freedom of design. As the Chinese automotive market has distinct demands for car design, this feature of Makrolon® is well aligned with the needs of China's market, hence it has a great potential for widespread adoption throughout China's entire automotive industry.

Bayer MaterialScience anticipates that the future trend in automotive engineering will move toward the development of transparent surfaces and roofs. For instance, car roofs are expected to become design objects, with a focus on large panorama roofs and associated three-dimensional designs in the roof and tail areas. As the inventor of and leader in polycarbonate solutions, Bayer has developed Makrolon® polycarbonate, which possesses excellent optical properties, such as transparency, high impact resistance and design freedom.

In recognition of its customers' needs, Bayer offers an all-round service for automotive glazing that encompasses the entire process chain, including material, processing, and analysis and design support. These progressive glazing concepts and underlying technologies are constantly being improved by Bayer's industry-leading expertise.

"We collaborate with our customers to determine precise requirements for their end products, adapting both the polycarbonate and the coating process to these requirements, while identifying appropriate coating systems," explains Holly Lei, vice president, Polycarbonates Business Unit, Bayer MaterialScience in China.

As the world's leading polycarbonate producer and provider of innovative material solutions, Bayer remains committed to finding energy efficient technological solutions to address China's multiple challenges in sustainability, especially in the field of mobility. Bayer will continue to provide integrated and innovative solutions for energy-efficient and lightweight products in the automotive industry to help China achieve its ambitious energy-saving targets.

About Bayer MaterialScience LLC:
Bayer MaterialScience LLC is one of the leading producers of polymers and high-performance plastics in North America and is part of the global Bayer MaterialScience business with approximately 14,800 employees at 30 production sites around the world and 2011 sales of 10.8 billion euros. Bayer MaterialScience's 2011 sales in North America were $2.9 billion. The company manufactures high-tech polymer materials and develops innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction, medical, and sports and leisure industries. Sustainability is central to Bayer MaterialScience LLC's business and is based around the key areas of innovation, product stewardship, excellence in corporate management, social responsibility and respect for the environment.

About Great Wall Motors:
Great Wall Motors Company Limited is the largest SUV and pickup manufacturer in China, and a large-scale private automotive enterprise listed on H Share Market in Hong Kong and A Share Market in mainland China. It has 28 holding subsidiaries, five share-holding companies and over 45,000 employees. Currently, its products include three main categories; Haval SUV, Great Wall PC and Wingle Pickup. In 2011, the company achieved the capability of producing 800,000 vehicles and parts, as well as the ability of independently producing core parts and accessories such as engines, transmission etc.

For more information about Bayer MaterialScience LLC call 1-800-662-2927, email pcinfo@bayer.com or visit www.bmsnafta.com.

# # #

This website 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.

Media Contact(s)
Name:	Sean Kelly
Phone:	412-777-5200
Company:	Bayer MaterialScience
Email:	sean.kelly@bayer.com

Michael Koenig, head, Polycarbonates, Bayer MaterialScience LLC, and Mr. Wei Jianjun, chairman, Great Wall Motors, stand with the "Haval E" concept car.