The Bayer AG site in Bergkamen employs more than 1,600 people. It currently manufactures steroid hormones for pharmaceuticals with a contraceptive or therapeutic effect, contrast agents for diagnosing diseases and active ingredients for dermatological applications. The production of these pharmaceutical substances is based on the combination of microbiological and multi-stage chemical processes that are conducted in batches and campaigns. The highly concentrated active ingredients are subsequently processed at other sites to produce the finished medicine.

The site incorporates production plants, storage facilities, a power plant, a site fire department and infrastructure facilities such as a hazardous waste incineration unit, a thermal secondary combustion system, wastewater treatment plants and solvent recovery plants. There is also plenty of space for expansion. 

Situated on the eastern fringe of the industrial Ruhr region and at the point where two major traffic arteries meet – the north-south A1 freeway and the east-west A2 freeway – the Bergkamen site boasts outstanding transport links. It also has its own rail connection and is located in the immediate vicinity of Dortmund Port and airports in Dortmund and Münster.

The site has a very tight-knit and ever-expanding network of partnerships with regional universities and colleges, including the Technical University of Dortmund, the University of Münster and the Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences. All these institutions are known for their prestigious technical and scientific courses and for producing a large pool of highly skilled graduates.

The site contributes to this impressive availability of skilled junior and specialist staff – for both technical and scientific careers and administrative activities – by working very closely with more than 30 schools in the surrounding region. In contrast to the generally unfavorable demographic development over recent years, the number of applications has been at a very high level for years.

One particular feature of the Bergkamen site is its industry-friendly environment. Due in no small part to the region’s long-standing tradition of mining, both the local community and authorities are comfortable with industrial companies. Through transparency, continuous communication and open dialog involving all local partners, the site ensures that everyone has confidence that all relevant parties have a sound sense of responsibility.