PITTSBURGH, April 5, 2000 - As part of its continuing investment in e-business technology, Bayer Corporation's Ion Exchange Resins & Water Treatment Chemicals Group (IOW) is working with Deloitte Consulting, a worldwide consultant of e-business strategies. Based on Deloitte Consulting's findings and strategy recommendations, the IOW Group will examine new ways to utilize various online services with its customers. These could include advanced e-commerce suites, auction opportunities and fee-based technical support.

"Developing our Web site was a basic step for us, and our online product ordering system has extended our capabilities one more step," said Charles Fluharty, business manager, Ion Exchange Resins & Water Treatment Chemicals Group. "Now, through this key relationship with Deloitte, we are looking to take several next steps. It's about staying in front of technology to best serve our customers. The Internet is a primary focus for us, and we recognize the importance of taking a leadership position through this vehicle."

Deloitte Consulting is undergoing a 60-day analysis of IOW's current Internet delivery platform. This will allow Deloitte to recommend new technology architectures, application enhancements and advanced delivery systems. After which, the IOW will develop and implement the next phase of its e-business suite.

To view its current Internet offering, just click on www.H20Treat.com, www.ion-exchange.com, www.phosphonate.com, and www.hydrazinehydrate.com. For information on Bayer Corporation, visit www.bayerus.com. Or, contact Bayer Corporation, Industrial Chemicals Communications, 100 Bayer Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15205; (800) 662-2927 ext. 5688; FAX (412) 777-3899.

Bayer Corporation is a research-based company with major businesses in health care and life sciences and chemicals. The company had 1999 sales of $8.9 billion and employs approximately 22,200 people. Bayer Corporation is investing $9 billion in capital expenditures and research and development from 2000 through the year 2004. 2000 capital investment and R&D expenditures are projected to total $1.6 billion. Bayer Corporation, with headquarters in Pittsburgh, is a member of the worldwide Bayer Group, a $29 billion international life sciences, polymers and specialty chemicals group based in Leverkusen, Germany.

Editor's Note: please send all reader service leads to the attention of Bryan Iams, Communications Representative, Bayer Corporation, 100 Bayer Road, Pittsburgh, Pa 15205.