On August 1, 1863, dye salesman Friedrich Bayer and master dyer Johann Friedrich Weskott found the general partnership “Friedr. Bayer et comp.,” and the company enjoys rapid growth. The financial foundation for expansion is laid in 1881 when Bayer is transformed into a joint stock company. more

Between 1881 and 1914, Bayer develops into a chemical company with international operations. Although dyestuffs remain the company’s largest division, new fields of business are being added. The establishment of a major research facility by Carl Duisberg is of primary importance for the company’s continuing development. more

Bayer's dazzling development is interrupted by World War I. The company is largely cut off from its major export markets, and sales of dyes and pharmaceuticals drop accordingly. Bayer is increasingly integrated into the war economy. Bayer opens its third German production site in Dormagen in 1917. more

A community of interests has existed between Bayer, BASF and Agfa since 1905. In order to regain access to the vital export markets, these and other companies of the German tar dyes industry join together in a larger community of interests in 1915/16 on the initiative of Carl Duisberg. more

In November 1945, the Allied Forces confiscate the I.G. and place all its sites under the control of Allied officers. The company is to be dissolved and its assets made available for war reparations. But this is not how things turn out… more

The reconstruction of Bayer is closely linked with the Wirtschaftswunder, or “economic miracle,” in the Federal Republic of Germany. As a result of World War II, Bayer for the second time loses its foreign assets, including its valuable patents. Bayer begins to reestablish its sales activities abroad in 1946, while still under Allied control. more

The oil crisis of 1973/74 ends the “economic miracle” once and for all. When Herbert Grünewald succeeds Kurt Hansen as Chairman of the Board of Management in 1974, the global economy is in a severe recession. Within just a few months, prices for chemical raw materials based on oil quadruple. more

Celebrating 100 years of Apirin. Also Bayer, like other companies, is tested by the challenges presented by the globalization and structural change of the 1990s. In the wake of the radical political changes taking place in Germany and Eastern Europe after 1989, the company increases its focus on these promising markets. more

Bayer celebrates a century of culture at Bayer and 100 years of the Bayer Cross. Three new subgroups – Bayer HealthCare, Bayer CropScience and Bayer MaterialScience – are founded during this time. Bayer spins off Lanxess AG and acquires Schering AG. more

In February 2011, Bayer starts up the „Dream Production“ pilot plant in Leverkusen to manufacture high-tech plastics using carbon dioxide. In 2013, Bayer celebrates the 150th anniversary of its foundation worldwide. The company sends an airship and anniversary exhibition around the world and celebrates with German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel. Bayer strengthens its oncology business with the acquisition of Algeta in 2014. more