The Group presented innovative product developments at the Perspective on Innovation. These are intended to tap into billions in sales potential. Partnerships with research institutes, universities and other companies are to play a major role.

Bayer CropScience has opened its 1,400-square-meter European Wheat Breeding Center in Gatersleben, Germany. Varieties of wheat with higher yields and enhanced properties are to be developed here for the central European market.

2011 was a good year for the Bayer Group both strategically and operationally. "Our business was very successful and we achieved our targets for the Group," said Management Board Chairman Dr. Marijn Dekkers at the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting in Cologne, Germany.

With sales growth of more than 5% to EUR 36.5 billion, Bayer exceeded the record set in 2010. Good progress was made with innovations and the expansion of the company’s activities in the emerging markets.

The Bayer Group presented its plans for the Asian region at an international press conference in Shanghai. Bayer intends to further expand its production, distribution network and research activities in Asia and considerably increase its sales in the region in the coming years.

At the centennial of Bayer's corporate presence in Japan, the Group announced that it plans to raise annual sales in the country by an average of 6 percent a year to reach about 2.4 billion euros by 2015.

In 2009, Bayer scientists were awarded the Federal President's German Future Prize for their development of the new anticoagulant rivaroxaban. He visited Bayer to find out more about the innovation.

Bayer has presented its sustainable development review of 2010. The Group is looking to cut specific greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent by 2020 compared to 2005.