Associate Programme 2008: The Bayer Experience

Bayer AG is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, agro-science and high technology materials. The products of Bayer and its services are designed to benefit people and improve their quality of life, as its slogan emphasises: “Science for a better Life”. This world-wide company has a work force of 106,200 employees.

Logo of Bayer AG

Bayer AG has three subgroups and three service companies —Bayer Business Services, Bayer Technology Services and Currenta— all of which operate independently.

Bayer HealthCare makes an important contribution to human and animal health with its innovative products and by means of its research into new therapeutic approaches. This subgroup has four operating divisions: Bayer Schering Pharma (prescription medicines), Consumer Care (over-the-counter medicines and nutritional supplements), Diabetes Care (blood glucose-monitoring systems) and Animal Health (veterinary medicines and grooming products).

Bayer CropScience operates in the areas of crop protection, pest control, seeds and plant bio technology. As a partner in the production of high-quality food, feed, and fibre, the company offers comprehensive solutions for modern, sustainable agriculture and non-agricultural applications.

Bayer MaterialScience produces polymers and high-quality plastics. Apart from its polycarbonates and polyurethanes, it offers innovative developments in the fields of coatings, adhesives, insulating materials, and sealants.

The company’s wide ranging expertise in the uses of chemicals for peaceful purposes offers an ideal training ground for participants in the Associate Programme to enhancing their technical skills.

During their stay in Tarragona, Spain, Mr Miguel Angel Rzeznik of Argentina and Mr Emad A. Eddadu of Jordan were assigned to the Bayer Joint Prevention Group to work on projects that focused on safety and environmental issues (noise effect).

The Associates studied the levels of noise pollution resulting from the company activities outside the boundary of the Tarragona Plant and compared the findings with the European standards and regulations on noise pollution levels. They further worked on measures to reduce these levels of noise in view of future restrictive regulations that can be adopted.

The assignment undertaken by the Associates was divided into two parts: Health and Safety and Environmental. While carrying out the studies, the Associates had the opportunity to visit all of the facilities of Bayer in Tarragona. During the ongoing training, experts of Bayer exchange information on various technical issues that are vital to the goals of the Associate Programme.

Bayer’s experience with the OPCW Associate Programme has shown that both the professional knowledge being offered and the technical skills imparted enabled the Associates to acquire a wider understanding of infrastructure and procedures of a modern chemical industry.

Bayer has supported the OPCW Associate Programme as part of its corporate social responsibility and encourages other companies to participate actively in this unique programme of the OPCW.

The author is associated with Bayer Polimeros S.L, Tarragona, Spain.

Categories: Associate Programme