Bayer has acquired the polycarbonate sheet business of Arkema Inc. in the United States. This transaction strengthens the position of Bayer MaterialScience in the North American market and its global high-performance plastic sheet activities. The company already operates sheet production in the United States, Mexico, Germany, Belgium and Italy as well as in China, India, South Korea and Australia.

The acquisition includes Arkema's Tuffak™ line of products used in areas such as aerospace, transportation and heavy equipment for the construction and agriculture industries. In addition, some production equipment will be transferred from Arkema to Bayer. The acquisition of the Tuffak™ business will further strengthen Bayer MaterialScience's quality leadership position in the growing North American polycarbonate sheet market. For more than 60 years, the company has been a leader in innovation and quality production of extruded thermoplastic sheet products. These include a broad range of Makrolon™ products for a variety of applications in the transportation, security, architecture and recreational markets.