Bayer Polymers Announces Management Changes.

Business Editors

PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 16, 2003

Bayer Polymers LLC, of Pittsburgh, today announced management changes following the Sept. 1 appointment of Peter Vanacker to the Executive Committee of the Bayer Polymers subgroup in Leverkusen, Germany. Vanacker was also named head of Bayer Polymers' Europe, Middle East and Africa region.

Vanacker, formerly head of Bayer Polymers' Polymer Solutions marketing division, which serves customers requiring tailor-made solutions for their individual market needs, has been succeeded by Don Hummel, who previously led Bayer Polymers' Business Support and Administration Group. Jay Shock, who most recently headed global supply chain management for Bayer Polymers' NAFTA Group, now holds that position.

Vanacker joined Bayer's polyurethanes operations in Belgium in 1990 as a technical account manager and has held international marketing and technical assignments of increasing responsibility in The Netherlands, Germany, South America and the U.S. He holds a master's degree in polymers engineering from the University of Gent and an MBA from the EHSAL University in Brussels.

Hummel joined Bayer in 1984 and rose through various financial, marketing, sales and procurement positions in the U.S., Canada and Germany. In his nearly 20 years with Bayer, Hummel has also held several positions in the company's former Fibers, Additives and Rubber Division. A native of Canada, Hummel earned his bachelor of science degree in business administration from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Canada.

Shock joined Bayer in 1975, and progressed through positions of increasing responsibility in administration, information systems, controlling, procurement and strategic planning. In 2001, Shock assumed leadership of the Bayer Polymers SAP supply chain management project. He holds a bachelor's degree in humanities and mathematics from Villanova University and a master's degree in mathematics and an MBA from Duquesne University.

With 23,000 employees at 120 sites around the world and 2002 sales of 10.8 billion euros, Bayer Polymers is a leader in the global industry of performance polymers. The company's materials and solutions are the backbone of modern life, serving primarily the automotive, construction, information technology, appliance, furniture, and sports and leisure industries. As a member of the global Bayer Group, Bayer Polymers benefits from a wealth of resources while enjoying the flexibility to focus on its primary objective: to be the partner of choice in polymer materials.

Bayer Corporation, headquartered in Pittsburgh, is the U.S. holding company of the worldwide Bayer Group, an international health care and chemicals group based in Leverkusen, Germany. Bayer employs 24,600 in North America with net North American sales of 8.9 billion euros in 2002. Bayer's four operating business areas -- HealthCare, CropScience, Polymers and Chemicals -- produce a broad range of products that help diagnose and treat diseases, purify water, preserve local landmarks, protect crops, advance automobile safety and durability and improve people's lives.

This news release contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group 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 our public reports filed with the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (including our Form 20-F). The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.