October 9, 2015
New oilseed processing center to drive Bayer''s seeds business
Bayer CropScience has inaugurated its new European Oilseed Processing Center in Monheim, Germany, last month, during a ceremony attended by industry representatives, authorities, agricultural stakeholders and customers.
With this facility, the company has substantially expanded its platform to offer rapeseed growers a fully integrated system from field production to delivery.
"We see future growth driven by increasing and sustained demand from customers in many countries for improved rapeseed hybrid varieties," said Marc Reichardt, Bayer CropScience''s head of agricultural commercial operations. "This investment is good news not only for growers and industrial customers but also for our Monheim site and the company''s global seeds infrastructure."
Bayer CropScience has invested about US$17 million in the center located in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
The facility will be responsible for receiving raw seeds from carefully chosen seed multipliers across Europe, fine cleaning and certifying seeds, and calibrating and treating seeds using sophisticated machineries.
"Quality management is an important element of our activity within the new facility," Ferdinand Schnitker, the operations manager of Bayer''s European Oilseed Processing Center pointed out. Bayer''s premium hybrid seed production process will also ensure top quality germplasm, a first-in-class breeding programme, outstanding seed multipliers and strong purity standards.
Bayer plans to deliver the first fine-cleaned and packaged oilseeds from the facility in January 2016.
The new three-story building has a surface area of approximately 9,000 square meters and was constructed on a total area of one hectare. It also includes labs, office and meeting rooms, and equipment and installations for storage of raw material and finished goods.
The Monheim site has been specially chosen to be strategically central to serve key customers while also benefitting from the pro-industrial business environment in Germany.
"Rapeseed is an attractive cash crop for European growers. And we are a leading expert when it comes to strong and healthy oilseed plants which lead to superior yields and high nutritional value," added Frank Terhorst, the global head of Bayer CropScience''s Seeds Business Unit. "The new Oilseed Processing Center will be the central logistical point to deliver high-quality hybrid seeds to customers across the European and African region."
Bayer CropScience offers rapeseed growers an integrated line of products including seed treatment products for effective protection against seed-borne diseases and soil pests as well as innovative fungicides, herbicides and insecticides. These offerings are rounded off with a wide range of services and consultancy such as advisory on general agronomic seeding and crop management information, and the selection of the most suitable hybrid seeds for a specific region.
The organisaition has commercialised more than 30 hybrids in 30 countries across the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa). The company''s first winter rapeseed varieties have been available in Europe since 2012.
Bayer CropScience plans to further expand its global rapeseed business by continuing investments into research and development and the breeding infrastructure as well as acquisitions, cooperations and trait license agreements.