NEWS

GM and ABB demonstrate Chevrolet Volt Battery Reuse – world’s first use of electric vehicle batteries for homes • Partnership with ABB results in prototype back-up power storage unit • Energy storage project readies for testing on the power grid

Chevy volt battery (Image: GM/ABB)
Chevy volt battery (Image: GM/ABB)

San Francisco, Nov. 15, 2012 – General Motors and ABB today showed the next stage in battery reuse, the repackaging of five used Chevrolet Volt batteries into a modular unit capable of providing two hours of electricity needed by three to five average American homes. The uninterruptable power supply and grid power balancing system was demonstrated during GM’s Electrification Experience. The prototype unit provided 25 kW of power and 50 kWh of energy to power all the support lighting and audiovisual equipment in an “off-grid” structure used for the event.

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Strategic move to significantly strengthen Consumer Care business of Bayer: Bayer to acquire Schiff Nutrition International for US$ 1.2 billion Transaction includes MegaRed®, Move Free® and Airborne® brands

Dr. Marijn Dekkers has been chairman of Bayer AG’s Group Board of Management since October 1, 2010. (Image: Bayer AG)
Dr. Marijn Dekkers has been chairman of Bayer AG’s Group Board of Management since October 1, 2010. (Image: Bayer AG)

Leverkusen, Germany/Morristown, New Jersey/Salt Lake City, Utah, USA (October 30, 2012) – Bayer HealthCare LLC has signed a merger agreement to acquire Schiff Nutrition International, Inc. (NYSE: SHF), a leading company offering vitamins and nutritional supplements in the United States and other countries. Schiff’s product portfolio includes core brands MegaRed®, Move Free® and Airborne®, among others. The transaction values Schiff at approx. US$1.2 billion (approx. EUR 920 million) representing US$34 per share in cash. Closing is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected by year end 2012.

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BASF maintains good business performance in the third quarter

Dr. Kurt Bock, 54, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, Business economist, with BASF for 21 years. (Image: BASF)
Dr. Kurt Bock, 54,
Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, Business economist, with BASF for 21 years. (Image: BASF)

Ludwigshafen, Germany – October 25, 2012 – After a solid first half, BASF maintained good business performance overall in the third quarter. Sales rose by 8% to €19 billion, particularly due to higher volumes. At just under €2.1 billion, income from operations (EBIT) before special items was 5% above the level of the third quarter of 2011. The higher contribution from the Oil & Gas and Agricultural Solutions segments more than offset lower earnings in the chemicals business (which comprises the Chemicals, Plastics, Performance Products and Functional Solutions segments).

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Bayer CropScience: Geared for Sustainable Growth • EUR 7 billion investment program to fuel further growth

The headquarter of Bayer CropScience AG in Monheim, Germany. In the center the Tropicarium, a patch of tropical rain forest under glass. (Image: Bayer CropScience AG)
The headquarter of Bayer CropScience AG in Monheim, Germany. In the center the Tropicarium, a patch of tropical rain forest under glass. (Image: Bayer CropScience AG)

Monheim, September 20, 2012 – Bayer CropScience has a robust strategy in place and is geared for continued strong growth over the mid-term, said CEO Sandra Peterson at the company’s annual press conference. “Bayer CropScience is on track for above market growth,” she said. Backing the company’s ambitions are plans to invest a total of EUR 7 billion between 2011 and 2016 in Research and Development (R&D) and an expansion of production capacities and seed processing facilities.

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BASF to strengthen global crop protection business with acquisition of Becker Underwood • BASF to become a global leader in biological seed treatments • Strategic growth field Functional Crop Care strengthened

BASF to strengthen global crop protection business with acquisition of Becker Underwood (Image: BASF)
BASF to strengthen global crop protection business with acquisition of Becker Underwood
 (Image: BASF)

Ludwigshafen, Germany – September 20, 2012 – BASF plans to acquire Becker Underwood for a price of $1.02 billion (€785 million). The company, headquartered in Ames, Iowa, is one of the leading global providers of technologies for biological seed treatment, seed treatment colors and polymers, as well as products in the areas of biological crop protection, turf and horticulture, animal nutrition and landscape colorants and coatings. Becker Underwood has 10 production sites worldwide and 479 employees. BASF came to an agreement with Norwest Equity Partners (NEP) to acquire Becker Underwood which has been a portfolio company of NEP since 2004. The purchase is subject to approval by the responsible authorities and legal closing of the transaction is expected by the end of 2012.

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