Bayer MaterialScience (BMS, Leverkusen / Germany; www.bayerbms.com) recently opened its first Polymer Development & Technology Center at Yongin, near Seoul / South Korea. The facility, which will focus on new high-tech applications for polycarbonate in the automotive and IT sectors, is part of a global network of R&D hubs for the Germany-based company.

The location was strategically selected for its proximity to other R&D centres and manufacturing centres of globally active Korean companies as well as BMS’ major production sites at Shanghai / China, Map Ta Phut / Thailand and Niihama / Japan. Around 60% of polycarbonate production is now located in the region. “Over the past decade, Korea has emerged as a centre for cutting-edge high-tech products,” said Michael Koenig, BMS executive committee member and head of the polycarbonate business unit, which is based at Shanghai.

In addition to offering technical advisory services for auto makers and manufacturers of electronic devices such as smart phones and laptops, starting in the third quarter of this year, BMS will begin collaborating with Korean customers on application concepts as well as carrying out sample production.