Bayer MaterialScience NAFTA


	News

	Events

	Newsletters

	Frequently Asked Questions

	Bayer Global
	Bayer US
	Bayer MaterialScience Global
	Sheffield Plastics
	BayerONE eBusiness
	BayCare Online
	Bayer Jobs



	General Conditions of Use Privacy Statement Imprint

For Immediate Release

Engineering Polymers and Technologies from Bayer MaterialScience Drive Automotive Enlightenment Forward

High-Tech "zaZen" Concept Car Makes North American Debut at NPE 2006

June 19, 2006

CHICAGO, June 19, 2006 — Demonstrating its leadership in providing innovative automotive solutions, Bayer MaterialScience LLC will exhibit the state-of-the-art concept car, called "zaZen," at its booth (#1676 South) at NPE 2006 (the International Plastics Showcase), June 19 - 23 in Chicago.

The "zaZen" is the result of an ongoing collaboration between Bayer MaterialScience AG and the famous Swiss automotive design specialist, Rinspeed.

"We are already carrying out research on the car of tomorrow," said Johannes Seesing, manager of the AutoCreative Group at Bayer MaterialScience. "The 'zaZen' is an example of how high-quality materials and unconventional engineering are paving the way for future automotive design. We will continue working with our customers on developing new, innovative materials solutions required in this ever-evolving industry."

"zaZen" — Leading the Way to Automotive Enlightenment
NPE marks the North American debut for "zaZen." The futuristic vehicle features lighting technology never before seen in automotive design. The car's unique illumination is embodied by its name, which is derived from the word "Zen" — a school of Buddhism that asserts that enlightenment can be attained through letting go of preconceived ideas.

The "zaZen" features a smoothly contoured, one-piece roof dome made of highly transparent, light weight and impact resistant Makrolon® polycarbonate resin. A large third brake light illuminates the translucent, teardrop-shaped roof in such a way that it creates a distinctive holographic effect across the end section of the roof.

The interior of the car features "glass-like" plastic seat shells made of Makrolon® polycarbonate resin and fitted with Technogel® upholstery in a bright orange color to complement the illuminated roof. In stark contrast to the interior, a mineral-white color based on Bayer's Desmodur® and Desmophen® products protects millions of tiny Swarovski crystals on the body of the vehicle.

The "zaZen" is powered by a 355 bhp six-cylinder boxer engine from the Porsche 997 Carrera S. With a top speed of 293 mph, the "zaZen" accelerates from zero to 100 mph in 4.8 seconds.

Driven by Innovation
AutoCreative™ is an initiative to establish Bayer MaterialScience, on a global basis, as the leading development partner and supplier of the automotive industry. By working with the AutoCreative team, customers are able to efficiently leverage the wide range of advanced products and technologies — from polyurethanes and polycarbonates, to thermoplastic polyurethanes and coatings, adhesives and sealants — offered by Bayer MaterialScience for a number of interior and exterior automotive applications. AutoCreative — Driven by Innovation.

For more information about the Rinspeed "zaZen," visit www.rinspeed.com, or contact Frank M. Rinderknecht +41 44 918-2323 or fmr@rinspeed.com.

For more information on Bayer MaterialScience's engineering polymers and technologies for the automotive industry, call 800-662-2927 or visit www.BayerMaterialScienceNAFTA.com.

Bayer MaterialScience LLC is one of the leading producers of polymers and high-performance plastics in North America and is part of the global Bayer MaterialScience business with nearly 19,000 employees at 40 sites around the world and 2005 sales of 10.7 billion euros. Our innovative developments in coating, adhesive and sealant raw materials, polycarbonates, polyurethanes and thermoplastic urethane elastomers enhance the design and functionality of products in a wide variety of markets, including the automotive, construction, electrical and electronics, household and medical industries, and the sports and leisure fields. Our inorganic basic chemicals unit produces chlorine and related essential products for the chemicals industry. Let us give life to your vision. Bayer MaterialScience — Where VisionWorks.

Bayer Corporation, headquartered in Pittsburgh, is part of the worldwide Bayer Group, an international health care, nutrition and innovative materials group based in Leverkusen, Germany. In North America, Bayer employed 16,200 at the end of 2005 and had net sales of 7.3 billion euros. Bayer's three operating companies — Bayer HealthCare LLC, Bayer CropScience LP and Bayer MaterialScience LLC — improve people's lives through a broad range of essential products that help diagnose and treat diseases, protect crops and advance automobile safety and durability.

# # #

This website may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup 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 Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

Media Contact(s)
Name:	Sarah Toulouse
Phone:	412-777-5200
Email:	sarah.toulouse.b@bayer.com

Bayer MaterialScience and the Swiss automotive design specialist, Rinspeed, will exhibit a state-of-the-art concept car at NPE 2006, June 19 – 23. The futuristic "zaZen" features lighting technology never before seen in automotive design.