Germany-based Bayer Group has decided to invest more than US$5 million over the next three years to establish two research and development (R&D) centers in Taiwan, its Taiwan operation announced yesterday.
One of the centers will focus on the R&D and industrial application of functional films, which are widely used in the areas of flexible electronics and printed electronics, Bayer Taiwan president Steffan Huber said.
Huber said that the center will be fully operational by the end of next year and that Bayer is expected to funnel 900,000 euros (US$123,800) annually into the operation during its first three years.
Bayer Taiwan said the center would also seek to expand cooperation with local universities in an effort to upgrade its R&D capabilities.
Meanwhile, Huber said, the other center would concentrate on the application of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) in sports and recreational products.
Last year, Bayer relocated its TPU headquarters from Germany to Hong Kong and merged with Taiwan Ure-tech Co — the largest TPU supplier in the Asia-Pacific region — to become the largest TPU supplier in the world.
With another TPU R&D center in Taiwan, the group will have a better chance of maintaining its edge in the region, company officials said.
Huber said that he is optimistic about Taiwan’s business environment. Direct sea and air links across the Taiwan Strait would reduce the time and costs in maintaining operations, he said.
Bayer also urged the government to set up a one-stop service for multinational companies.
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