Brazil. The Bayer Group announced that it has decided to discontinue production of Bayer MaterialScience's products (isocyanates, polyols and coating raw materials) at its plant located in Belford Roxo, Rio de Janeiro.
The completion of local production is scheduled for July 2015 and the closure process should be completed in 2017. Bayer affirms that it remains committed to Belford Roxo and will continue to operate the production lines of Bayer CropScience and Bayer HealthCare, in addition to maintaining services for other companies located in the Industrial Park.
The decision was made based on MaterialScience's frequent analysis of its operations and market offering, and follows a global strategy of concentrating its production units and optimizing in a more competitive manner.
Bayer admits it will take responsibility for the 320 affected employees. It is seeking the anticipation of retirements and is working on transfer opportunities for as many MaterialScience employees as possible in other divisions such as Bayer HealthCare and CropScience, both located in Rio de Janaiero. For other Bayer MaterialScience employees, the company is working together with the union and commissioned workers in the search for a fair solution.
