DGAP-News: Asklepios Kliniken GmbH / Key word(s): Alliance Asklepios Kliniken: Bayer MaterialScience and Asklepios cooperate on sustainable and cost-effective solutions for hospitals. EcoCommercial Building program improves energy and cost efficiency in medical facilities 16.12.2010 / 11:10 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Leverkusen/Hamburg, 16th December 2010 - Bayer MaterialScience AG and Asklepios Kliniken GmbH have set up a cooperation project to implement environmentally friendly solutions in hospitals and healthcare facilities. As part of this collaboration, the EcoCommercial Building Initiative established by Bayer MaterialScience will support the hospital operator's 'Green Hospital' program in achieving sustainable development in its healthcare facilities. The Asklepios program pursues a holistic approach that regards environmental performance, energy consumption and the comfort of patients as equally important. It can be applied to both new and existing hospital buildings. 'The main focus in healthcare is on cost-efficiency, sustainability and quality for patients,' said Dr. Tobias Kaltenbach, Chairman of Corporate Management of Asklepios Kliniken GmbH. 'Hospital buildings are among the most energy-intensive of all facilities. Our approach to improving energy efficiency and cost efficiency is to establish collaborations with experienced partners in the field of sustainable construction.' Bayer MaterialScience runs the EcoCommercial Building program in cooperation with selected companies and service providers with the aim of promoting the development, renovation and construction of energy-efficient and cost-effective industrial and office buildings. This principle of sustainable construction has now been transferred to hospitals. During the current first stage of the collaboration with Asklepios, member companies of the EcoCommercial Building program run by Bayer MaterialScience are developing a hygienic and yet robust floor coating for the hospitals. It is simple to apply, cures quickly and is easy to clean. The floor can be walked on shortly after it has been coated and is easy to maintain. 'High-performance materials used during the construction and renovation of hospitals have a major impact on patient health, environmental performance and costs,' said Peter Warmbier, head of Marketing and Business Development at Bayer MaterialScience's Coatings, Adhesives, Specialties Business Unit for the Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) region. 'High-performance floor coatings in particular enable us to raise standards in hygiene and comfort. What's more, hospitals can also benefit from the comprehensive expertise offered by other members of the EcoCommercial Building program.' The portfolio of the EcoCommercial Building network ranges from financing to energy efficiency assessments and concrete measures such as building insulation, glazing and coatings. The initiative also offers solutions that harness energy from renewable sources, with other offerings including acoustic wall elements for sound systems or noise reduction and developments aimed at improving the indoor climate in healthcare buildings. 'This collaboration is further evidence of our network's flexibility for sustainable construction,' said Dr. Thomas Braig, head of the EcoCommercial Building program in the EMEA region. 'The Green Hospital program is a pioneering healthcare project, and we look forward to working with it to further develop the concept of environmentally friendly and cost-effective construction with our materials, technologies and services.' About the EcoCommercial Building program: The global EcoCommercial Building program of Bayer MaterialScience is part of the Bayer Climate Program. It offers decision-makers in the construction industry a unique portfolio of services and material solutions for energy-efficient and cost-effective building. As part of this program, Bayer MaterialScience is working with a network of members from various disciplines to support professionals such as architects, project managers, construction managers, developers and managers of larger companies in the creation of public and commercial buildings that far outstrip previous sustainability standards. The services on offer range from energy efficiency assessments during the planning phase to the use of environmentally friendly materials and the generation of renewable energies. About Bayer MaterialScience: With 2009 sales of EUR 7.5 billion, Bayer MaterialScience is among the world's largest polymer companies. Business activities are focused on the manufacture of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. The main segments served are the automotive, electrical and electronics, construction and the sports and leisure industries. At the end of 2009, Bayer MaterialScience had 30 production sites and employed approximately 14,300 people around the globe. Bayer MaterialScience is a Bayer Group company. About Asklepios Kliniken GmbH: The Asklepios Group is one of the three largest private hospital operators in Germany and has a market share of over 20 percent. The Group pursues a strategy based on high quality standards, innovation and sustainable growth. As a result, Asklepios has achieved dynamic growth since it was first established over 25 years ago. At the end of 2009, the Group had a total of over 66 hospitals with more than 18,000 beds. Asklepios is a fast-growing, profitable business that generates a steady cash flow on the basis of a long-term business model. The Group also has a solid financial structure and a strong capital base. Consequently, Asklepios is in a good strategic and financial position to help shape structural change in the German healthcare system. Contact: Bayer MaterialScience AG: Dr. Frank Rothbarth, Tel. +49 214 30-25363 E-Mail: frank.rothbarth@bayer.com Asklepios Kliniken: Rudi Schmidt, Tel. +49 (0)40 1818-826630 E-mail: presse@asklepios.com Find more information at www.bayermaterialscience.com, www.ecocommercialbuilding.com and www.asklepios.com. Forward-Looking Statements This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments. End of Corporate News 16.12.2010 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. DGAP's Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de --------------------------------------------------------------------- 106700 16.12.2010
DGAP-News: Asklepios Kliniken: Bayer MaterialScience and Asklepios cooperate on sustainable and cost-effective solutions for hospitals. EcoCommercial Building program improves energy and cost efficiency in medical facilities
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