BAYNEWS: ProteXXion® platform expanded to include new devices

Tuesday - March 23, 2010

Trade show premieres at the 2010 HANNOVER FAIR

ProteXXion® platform expanded to include new devices

Track & trace applications in the automotive segment

Leverkusen, March 23, 2010 – Bayer Technology Services GmbH (BTS) will be showcasing the latest innovations in its ProteXXion® authentication technology in Hall 17, Stand A38, at the Hannover Fair from April 19 to 23, 2010. This high-end technology requires no marking and slots in alongside bar codes, 2D data matrix codes and RFID solutions to complete the unique Tracking & Tracing product portfolio of BTS. Each object is recognized solely by its surface, which is scanned using a laser beam and then stored as a file comprising just a few kilobytes. Because of its higher resolution, the company’s ProteXXion® technology, a recent winner of the Hermes Award, is far more secure as a method of identification than existing biometric methods such as fingerprinting or iris scanning. This makes it practically impossible to forge products protected by ProteXXion®. Its two most important applications are to help identify counterfeits and to support track & trace applications in the area of supply chain optimization. Based on the Laser Surface Authentication technology invented by Ingenia Technology Ltd. of the UK, ProteXXion® has been developed by BTS for applications in industry and expanded into a platform for industrial use.

ProteXXion® Tracking – a complete solution with sensors, software and database hosting – is now also available in a version that can recognize metal objects, for example in the automotive industry.

ProteXXion® Tracking for intralogistic tracking of unmarked parts
ProteXXion® Tracking was specifically designed to track unmarked items in production and maintenance. In addition to the ProteXXion® Sensor ST10, the new ProteXXion® Sensor ST20 for shiny surfaces such as metal components has been developed and successfully used in pilot projects for the automotive industry. The accurate recognition of metal components at any point in the production and value creation chain involves sensors, software, database hosting and a full range of services from consulting through project management to system maintenance.

ProteXXion® Secure Label for GameDisk® console verification
The ProteXXion® Secure Label application was developed for customers who wish to have a visual mark on the item to be protected and therefore demand a label on the product or as a seal on the packaging. Such special labels can also be used if the surface of the item to be identified is not rough enough to allow the optical method to be employed. Merkur Media GmbH has relied on ProteXXion® Secure Label’s excellent protection against forgery and straightforward recognition process for its GameDisk® console since February 2010. Once applied, the BTS-registered labels on the gaming consoles cannot be removed without being damaged, which makes it impossible to tamper with them. For immediate unique authentication/verification worldwide over the Internet, the relevant part of the label simply needs to be rescanned and compared with the registration scan.

Authentication goes mobile
From April 2010, BTS will be offering a new service for the identification of unmarked items and for the label-based ProteXXion® Secure Label system, as a result of which the technology will become even more attractive. A dedicated user-friendly web service portal can be used for virtually instant internet-based comparison with pre-saved reference scans.

Bayer Technology Services GmbH offers fully-integrated solutions along the life cycle of chemical/pharmaceutical plants – from development through engineering and construction to process optimization for existing plants. The Bayer subsidiary employs over 2,600 people worldwide at its headquarters in Leverkusen and other German locations, as well as in regional offices in the United States, Belgium, Switzerland, Mexico, India, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore and the People's Republic of China. 2009 sales totaled approx. EUR 380 million.
Further information about Bayer Technology Services and ProteXXion® is available at www.bayertechnology.com and www.protexxion.de.

Forward-looking statements
This news 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.