Bayer to invest over €400 million to increase access to modern contraception

Berlin, October 5, 2021 - Bayer today announced to invest over €400 million, reinforcing its commitment to providing 100 million women and girls with access to family planning by 2030, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This investment will include the expansion of production capabilities in Turku, Finland and the construction of a new production site in Alajuela, Costa Rica.

"In partnership with international organizations, such as the United Nations Population Fund and the United States Agency for International Development, we strive to make modern contraception more accessible to women worldwide. This exemplifies our continued firm commitment to inclusive growth and making sustainability an integral part of our business strategy," said Stefan Oelrich, Member of the Board of Management, Bayer AG, and President of Bayer’s Pharmaceuticals Division.

"The United Nations Population Fund and the United States Agency for International Development have recently added one of Bayer’s hormonal IUS to their respective product catalogues, which is another big step forward in providing women and families in LMICs with more contraceptive options," said Matthias Berninger, Senior Vice President Public Affairs, Science and Sustainability, Bayer AG. "By giving women the chance to determine their own future, access to family planning enables them to raise healthier families and to make an even greater economic contribution."

In Costa Rica, Bayer will build a new state-of-the-art production facility, specialized in the production and supply of LARCs. The new production plant at Coyol Industrial Park, Alajuela, Costa Rica, is expected to start the supply of long-acting reversible contraceptives to LMICs by 2024.

The company will also invest substantially in building a new facility and expanding its production capabilities in Turku, Finland, as announced earlier this year. Upon completion by 2025, the new production facility will boast the latest technology, leveraging automation and robotics to produce long-acting reversible contraceptives.

Both sites will produce hormonal implants and hormonal intrauterine systems (IUS), supporting Bayer to achieve its global sustainability goal of providing 100 million women and girls in LMICs with access to family planning by 2030. The investment will also support Bayer, a leader in women’s healthcare with an innovative and successful IUS product portfolio, in strengthening its commercial supply chain.

About Bayer
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to help people and planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to drive sustainable development and generate a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2020, the Group employed around 100,000 people and had sales of 41.4 billion euros. R&D expenses before special items amounted to 4.9 billion euros. For more information, go to www.bayer.com.

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