Bayer Chemicals AG expands production in North America.

BAYER CHEMICALS AG EXPANDS PRODUCTION IN NORTH AMERICA. Bayer Chemicals AG, Leverkusen, Germany, will take over the production of all the biocidal formulations based on thiabendazole (TBZ) and dibromodicyanobutane (DBDCB) that it acquired from Ondeo Nalco at the end of 2002, manufacturing them for the global market in Wellford, South Carolina, USA. These EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) approved biocides and their formulations, marketed under the proprietary names Tektamer[TM], Metasol[TM] and Biochek[TM], were previously still manufactured by Ondeo Nalco. Bayer Chemicals invested about US$ 500,000 in the expansion of its production facilities.

* The Tektamer DBDCB range comprises efficient in-can preservatives for combating bacteria, mold fungi and yeast and is the leading preservative range in the U.S.A. for the adhesives industry. Other important fields of application are mineral slurries, surface coatings, latices, printing inks, waxes and other waterborne industrial products such as household detergents.

* The Biochek range is also produced in Wellford. This includes patented formulations based on DBDCB and other active ingredients for in-can preservation.

* The Metasol range comprises the fungicidal active ingredient TBZ in various forms for the protection of coatings, plastics and adhesives, and paper and cardboard.