Bayer launches “Bayer Cares Project” in China

Sustainable help for earthquake-stricken college in Sichuan

Donation of 20 classrooms, 50 homes and a mobile clinic

Dujiangyan / Leverkusen – In light of the devastation caused by the earthquake in China in mid-May, Bayer provides sustainable support to the reconstruction of Sichuan Technology and Business College in Dujiangyan, which is one of the three most heavily damaged colleges in Sichuan province. The donation of classrooms, homes and a mobile clinic by the Bayer Cares Foundation is valued around EUR 825,000, and brings Bayer group’s total donations to earthquake-relief – Including medical supplies, cash donations by employees and the company, and vector control – to more than EUR 2.2 million. The so-called “Bayer Cares Project” in Dujiangyan underlines Bayer’s long-term commitment to providing comprehensive solutions to post-quake reconstructions in Sichuan.

“It is has been particularly important to us that our aid contributes to lastingly improve people’s living situations”, said Dr. Wolfgang Plischke, whose responsibilities on the Bayer Board of Management include the Asia / Pacific region.

To help restore normal schooling at the College, Bayer donated 20 standard classrooms, 50 houses and a clinic, including design, production, transport and on-site assembly. The total constructions area exceeds 2,000 sq.m. Furthermore, the company also provided all necessary equipment for the completion and immediate functioning of the constructions, such as whiteboards, beds, and medicines.

A ground completion ceremony took place on September 1, 2008, the first day of the new semester. Attending the ceremony were Michael Koenig, President of Bayer Greater China Group; Xiao HePing, Dean of Sichuan Technology and Business College; Yang Songbai, Vice Director of Sichuan Province Economy Commission; Wang Kang, Vice Director of Sichuan Province Education Bureau; Yan Daixiong, Vice Mayor of Du Jiangyan; a representative from Shanghai Municipal People Government Du Jiangyan Command Post as well as other local government officials.

Michael Koenig, President of Bayer Greater China Group, said, “The Bayer Cares Project at Dujiangyan has been launched with the intention to help beyond mere donations. We are very grateful that the College gave us this opportunity to contribute our expertise, not only from Bayer China, but from the Group worldwide. We will continue to seek opportunities to support local needs.”

Teams across the Bayer Group worked together to provide expertise, products and solutions: Bayer’s engineering arm, Bayer Technology Services, was responsible for the design and layout of the structures as well as the project management and on-site engineering management; Bayer MaterialScience’s polyurethane raw material MDI was used in the PUR board for the units; and Bayer HealthCare provided advice on healthcare equipment and medicine for the clinic. Bayer also applies environmental concepts to the devastated area, to help people in Dujiangyan protect the environment while rebuilding their hometown.

Xiao HePing, Dean of Sichuan Technology and Business College, said, “In the reconstruction of the College, we received generous help from Bayer, which enabled us to restore normal schooling today. This will encourage students to work ever harder to show their appreciation.”

In addition to the construction donations, Bayer will launch a volunteer program as the next phase of the Bayer Cares Project, which will further help the people in the quake-hit areas.

About Bayer Cares Foundation:
Emergency aid is a key feature of the social commitment by the Bayer Cares Foundation, which was established by Bayer AG in mid 2007. The Foundation aims to provide fast and unbureaucratic help to people who find themselves in acute emergencies through natural disasters. Furthermore the foundation promotes corporate volunteering and social involvement by cititzens in the companies’ neighbourhoods.


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