Bayer Sets Sights On Becoming #1 Producer Of PC.(polycarbonate)(Brief Article)

Tape-Disc Business, January, 2001

Bayer AG, Leverkusen, Germany, will spend $860 million in the next five years to take the lead in the $5 billion polycarbonate market.

Production of its Makrolon product will double from 650,000 tons/year to 1.3 million tons/year by 2005, according to a company announcement. The main focus of the expansion will be the fast-growing Asian market as well as the U.S. and European markets. Although this is likely to be welcome news to replicators, its important to realize that new capacity will not be on stream until 2005, thereby not relieving shortages being experienced right now.

PC supply was short in 2000 which has led to several price increases. Depending on the company, 4-6 increases were issued last year which added up to about 50 cents/lb. Bayer...

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