Annual Report
2018
2
Five-Year Summary
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Five-Year Summary
Bayer Group (€ million)
Sales
EBITDA1
EBITDA before special items
1
EBITDA margin before special items (in %)
1
EBIT1
EBIT before special items
1
Income before income taxes
Net income (from continuing and discontinued operations)
Earnings per share (from continuing and discontinued operations) (€)
1
Core earnings per share (from continuing operations) (€)
1
Net cash provided by operating activities
(from continuing and discontinued operations)
Net financial debt
Capital expenditures (as per segment table)
2
Bayer AG
Total dividend payment
Dividend per share (€)
Innovation
Research and development expenses (€ million)
Ratio of R&D expenses to sales – Pharmaceuticals (%)
Ratio of R&D expenses to sales – Crop Science (%)
Employees in research and development3
Employees
Number of employees
3 (Dec. 31)
Personnel expenses (including pension expenses) (€ million)
Proportion of employees with health insurance (%)
Fluctuation (voluntary / total) (%)
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
41,339
8,315
8,685
21.0
5,395
5,833
4,414
3,426
4.14
5.89
5,810
19,612
2,484
46,085
9,573
10,256
22.3
6,241
7,060
5,236
4,110
4.97
6.82
6,890
17,449
2,554
34,943
35,015
8,801
9,318
26.7
5,738
6,826
4,773
4,531
5.44
6.67
9,089
11,778
2,627
8,563
9,288
26.5
5,903
7,130
4,577
7,336
8.29
6.64
8,134
3,595
2,418
39,586
10,266
9,547
24.1
3,914
6,480
2,318
1,695
1.80
5.94
7,917
35,679
2,564
1,861
2.25
2,067
2.50
2,233
2.70
2,402
2.80
2,611
2.80
3,537
15.6
10.3
4,274
16.0
10.7
4,405
16.7
11.7
4,504
16.2
11.7
5,246
15.5
13.0
13,900
14,753
14,213
14,041
17,275
117,400
116,600
9,693
11,176
96
96
99,592
9,459
98
99,820
116,998
9,528
11,548
98
98
4.8 / 11.4
5.0 / 13.9
4.8 / 13.2
4.8 / 10.4
5.4 / 14.4
Hours of vocational and ongoing training per employee
18.0
20.0
23.0
23.4
17.1
Safety & Environmental Protection
Recordable Incident Rate (RIR) for Bayer employees
4
Loss of Primary Containment Incident Rate (LoPC-IR)
5
Total energy consumption (terajoules)
Energy efficiency (kWh / €1,000)
6
Total greenhouse gas emissions (CO2 equivalents in million t)
7
Hazardous waste generated (thousand t)
Water use (million m³)
0.44
0.13
0.43
0.11
0.40
0.17
0.45
0.13
0.39
0.09
26,288
24,677
26,243
25,832
39,628
246
4.06
377
104
200
4.62
431
110
209
4.64
428
93
205
3.63
485
98
278
5.45
421
124
2017 figures restated; figures for 2014 – 2016 as last reported; t = metric tons
1 For definitions of the indicators see A 2.4
2 Group total 2016 including Covestro
3 Employees calculated as full-time equivalents (FTEs)
4 RIR: Number of reportable occupational injuries and illnesses per 200,000 hours worked
5 LoPC = Loss of Primary Containment; number of incidents in which chemicals leak from their primary container, such as pipelines, pumps, tanks or drums, per
GRI-
102-48
200,000 working hours
6 Quotient of total energy consumption and external sales
7 Direct emissions from power plants, waste incinerators and production plants and indirect emissions from external supplies of electricity, steam and refrigeration
(according to the market-based method)
Bayer Annual Report 2018
At a Glance
3
Fiscal 2018
Bayer increases sales and earnings
– leader in agriculture after
acquisition
// Group sales at €39.6 billion (Fx & portfolio adj. + 4.5%)
// EBITDA before special items increases to €9.5 billion
(+ 2.8%), held back by currency effects of approx.
€0.5 billion
// Pharmaceuticals with higher sales
(Fx & portfolio adj.) and slightly lower earnings
// Consumer Health: sales level with prior year
(Fx & portfolio adj.), earnings decline
// Crop Science reports sales gains, substantially
higher earnings due to the acquisition, integration
off to a strong start
// Positive safety profile of glyphosate unchanged –
Bayer vigorously defending itself against lawsuits
// Net income at €1.7 billion, impacted by one-time
effects
// Core earnings per share at €5.94, above
expectations
// Proposed dividend of €2.80 per share, leading
to record pay-out
// Net financial debt at €35.7 billion –
significantly better than expected
// Bayer confirms 2019 Group outlook and
2022 targets
4
Contents
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Contents
To our Stockholders
Chairman’s Letter ___________________________________________ 6
Board of Management ___________________________________ 11
Report of the Supervisory Board _______________________ 12
Investor Information ______________________________________ 18
About this Report __________________________________________ 21
A Combined Management Report
1.2
1. Fundamental Information About the Group ______ 23
1.1
Corporate Profile and Structure ________________________ 23
1.1.1 Corporate Profile ________________________________________ 23
1.1.2 Corporate Structure _____________________________________ 23
Strategy and Management ______________________________ 28
1.2.1 Strategy and Targets ____________________________________ 28
1.2.2 Management Systems __________________________________ 32
1.2.3 Sustainability Management _____________________________ 32
Focus on Innovation __________________________________ 37
1.3
1.4
Commitment to Employees and Society _______________ 52
1.4.1 Employees _______________________________________________ 52
1.4.2 Global Respect for Human Rights ______________________ 59
1.4.3 Societal Engagement ___________________________________ 61
Procurement and Supplier Management _______________ 62
1.5
1.6
Safety for People and the Environment ________________ 65
1.6.1 Product Stewardship ____________________________________ 66
1.6.2 Occupational, Plant and Transportation Safety ________ 74
1.6.3 Environmental Protection _______________________________ 77
Nonfinancial and Other Disclosures by Bayer AG _____ 84
1.7
2. Report on Economic Position _______________________ 85
Overview of Business Performance ____________________ 85
2.1
2.1.1 Target Attainment 2018 _________________________________ 85
2.1.2 Economic Position of the Bayer Group ________________ 85
2.1.3 Key Events ______________________________________________ 85
2.1.4 Economic Environment _________________________________ 87
2.2
Earnings; Asset and Financial Position
of the Bayer Group ______________________________________ 88
2.2.1 Earnings Performance of the Bayer Group_____________ 88
2.2.2 Business Development by Segment ____________________ 93
2.2.3 Value-Based Performance _____________________________ 103
2.2.4 Asset and Financial Position
3. Report on Future Perspectives and
on Opportunities and Risks ________________________ 117
3.1
Future Perspectives ___________________________________ 117
3.1.1 Economic Outlook _____________________________________ 117
3.1.2 Corporate Outlook _____________________________________ 118
3.2
Opportunity and Risk Report __________________________ 119
3.2.1 Group-wide Opportunity and
Risk Management System _____________________________ 119
3.2.2 Opportunity and Risk Status __________________________ 124
3.2.3 Overall Assessment of Opportunities and
Risks by the Board of Management ___________________ 132
4. Corporate Governance Report _____________________ 133
Declaration by Corporate Management Pursuant
4.1
to Sections 289f and Section 315d of the German
Commercial Code ______________________________________ 133
Compliance ____________________________________________ 136
4.2
4.3 Disclosures Pursuant to Sections 289 b
Through e and 315 b and c of the German
Commercial Code (HGB) _______________________________ 141
4.4
Compensation Report _________________________________ 141
4.4.1 Compensation of the Board of Management _________ 141
4.4.2 Disclosures Pursuant to the Recommendations
of the German Corporate Governance Code _________ 154
4.4.3 Development of Board of Management Compensation
Relative to Employee Compensation and the
Financial Performance of the Company ______________ 157
4.4.4 Compensation of the Supervisory Board _____________ 158
4.4.5 Further Information ____________________________________ 160
Takeover-Relevant Information _______________________ 161
4.5
CSR Directive Implementation Act:
4.6
Index to Nonfinancial Statement ______________________ 164
2.3
of the Bayer Group _________________________________ 104
Earnings; Asset and Financial Position
of Bayer AG ____________________________________________ 109
2.3.1 Earnings Performance of Bayer AG ___________________ 110
2.3.2 Asset and Financial Position of Bayer AG ____________ 112
2.3.3 Outlook for Bayer AG __________________________________ 113
2.4
Alternative Performance Measures
Used by the Bayer Group ______________________________ 114
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Contents
5
27.
27.1
Financial instruments __________________________________ 236
Financial instruments by category ____________________ 236
27.2 Maturity analysis _______________________________________ 242
Information on derivatives _____________________________ 244
Contingent liabilities and
other financial commitments __________________________ 247
Legal risks ______________________________________________ 249
27.3
28.
29.
Notes to the Statements of Cash Flows _____________________ 254
30.
Net cash provided by (used in) operating,
investing and financing activities _____________________ 254
32.
31.
Other Information _____________________________________________ 255
Audit fees ______________________________________________ 255
Related parties _________________________________________ 255
Total compensation of the Board of Management
and the Supervisory Board, advances and loans _____ 256
Events after the end of the reporting period __________ 257
33.
34.
Responsibility Statement _____________________________________ 258
Independent Auditor’s Report ________________________________ 259
Independent Auditor’s Report on
a Limited Assurance Engagement
on Sustainability Information _________________________________ 269
C Further Information
Governance Bodies ___________________________________________ 271
Glossary _______________________________________________________ 274
Financial Calendar and Masthead ___________________________ 275
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Bayer Group Consolidated Income Statements ______________ 165
Bayer Group Consolidated Statements
of Comprehensive Income ____________________________________ 166
Bayer Group Consolidated Statements
of Financial Position ___________________________________________ 167
Bayer Group Consolidated Statements
of Changes in Equity __________________________________________ 168
Bayer Group Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows ______ 170
1.
2.
3.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
of the Bayer Group ____________________________________________ 171
General information ____________________________________ 171
Effects of new financial reporting standards __________ 171
Basic principles, methods and critical
accounting estimates ___________________________________ 179
Segment reporting ______________________________________ 192
Scope of consolidation; subsidiaries and affiliates ___ 195
Changes in the scope of consolidation ________________ 195
Business combinations and other acquisitions _______ 196
Divestments, material sale transactions
and discontinued operations ___________________________ 198
5.1
5.2
5.3
4.
5.
8.
7.
9.
6.
10.
10.1
Notes to the Income Statements _____________________________ 201
Net sales ________________________________________________ 201
Other operating income ________________________________ 202
Other operating expenses ______________________________ 202
Personnel expenses and employee numbers _________ 203
Financial result _________________________________________ 203
Income (loss) from investments
in affiliated companies _________________________________ 204
10.2 Net interest expense ___________________________________ 204
10.3 Other financial income and expenses _________________ 205
Taxes ____________________________________________________ 205
Income / losses attributable
to noncontrolling interest ______________________________ 208
Earnings per share _____________________________________ 208
12.
13.
11.
18.
16.
15.
17.
14.
19.
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position _______________ 209
Goodwill and other intangible assets __________________ 209
Property, plant and equipment ________________________ 212
Investments accounted for using the
equity method __________________________________________ 214
Other financial assets __________________________________ 215
Inventories ______________________________________________ 216
Trade accounts receivable _____________________________ 216
Other receivables _______________________________________ 218
Equity ___________________________________________________ 218
Provisions for pensions and other
post-employment benefits _____________________________ 221
Other provisions ________________________________________ 230
Financial liabilities ______________________________________ 233
Trade accounts payable ________________________________ 235
Other liabilities __________________________________________ 236
25.
20.
26.
24.
22.
21.
23.
6
To our Stockholders
Chairman’s Letter
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Chairman’s Letter
The safety of our products
is our top priority
I’m pleased to present our new Annual Report, which looks back on a particu-
larly eventful year that was not an easy one. In 2018, we completed the biggest
acquisition in Bayer’s history, advancing to the number one position in the agri-
culture sector. With that, we have stringently focused our businesses on the
growth markets of health and nutrition, where we are among the best companies
in the world with our know-how and innovation capabilities.
Nevertheless, the performance of our stock in 2018 was very disappointing.
While the DAX was down 18 percent on the year, our share price dropped by
about 40 percent. After we had to accept a ruling – which we consider to be in-
correct – by a court of first instance in the United States, the strategic progress
we made and the company’s solid operational performance were overshadowed
by the uncertain outcome of the product liability litigation concerning glyphosate.
Although it was these topics that dominated the headlines, I believe it’s im-
portant to emphasize that last year we again kept our company’s main promise
– “Science for a better life” – millions of times over. Our products have helped
to improve the lives of our customers – patients, consumers and farmers. That
is what defines us, and that is what drives our actions.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
To our Stockholders
Chairman’s Letter
7
Our employees throughout the
world are key to making this pos-
sible. In 2018, they again put their
skills and their passion into their
commitment to Bayer. On behalf of
the Board of Management, I would like to sincerely thank them for that
commitment, and I also would like to thank you, dear stockholders, for your
support and trust.
Bayer CEO Werner Baumann
Operationally, we experienced a difficult market environment in 2018, with
significant negative currency effects and growing uncertainty caused by global
trade disputes. On top of that, we were unable to fully exploit our growth
potential because of production bottlenecks in the Pharmaceuticals Division
and structural problems at Consumer Health.
We nevertheless increased our Group sales by 4.5 percent on a currency-
and portfolio-adjusted basis. EBITDA before special items benefited from the
second-half earnings contribution from the acquired Monsanto business and
rose by nearly 3 percent.
In 2018, there was also some encouraging news about our pharmaceuticals
pipeline and our ongoing product development. For example, we received
approval in the United States for Vitrakvi™, a highly effective and innovative
cancer medication. We successfully concluded a Phase III study of darolut-
amide, a development substance we are working on in oncology together with
a partner.
8
To our Stockholders
Chairman’s Letter
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Xarelto™ became the only oral anticoagulant to be approved in the United
States and Europe for the treatment of coronary artery disease and peripheral
artery disease. At the same time, we achieved further progress with our Leaps
projects in disruptive technologies, such as in the area of stem cell research,
together with our partners.
We successfully completed the acquisition of Monsanto in summer 2018 fol-
lowing lengthy and intensive antitrust processes. The integration is off to a very
good start and advancing rapidly. Equally encouraging is the progress we have
made on reducing debt. Our net financial debt of approximately €36 billion is
€3 billion less than we had expected at the start of the year.
As I already mentioned, there was a great deal of discussion last year about
the safety of glyphosate. The ruling by a court of first instance in the Johnson
case led to negative reactions in the media and the capital markets. This played
into the hands of the activists and professional critics of agriculture. Among
consumers and stockholders, it mainly caused uncertainty.
Yet the facts have not changed: glyphosate is a safe product. That has been
proven by numerous scientific studies and the independent assessments of
regulatory authorities throughout the world over a period of more than 40 years.
Most recently, the Canadian health ministry once again reviewed the safety of
glyphosate, stating unequivocally in January 2019 that “No pesticide regulatory
authority in the world currently considers glyphosate to be a cancer risk to hu-
mans at the levels at which humans are currently exposed.” For us, this official
statement serves to underline once again that we have the scientific facts on
our side. We will therefore continue to vigorously defend glyphosate in all the
pending litigation.
In light of all these developments, 2018 was a challenging year but also a year
of significant progress. I am pleased that for 2018 we can once again enable
you, our stockholders, to participate appropriately in Bayer’s success. We are
therefore proposing to the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting a dividend of €2.80 per
share, leading to a new record dividend payout.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
To our Stockholders
Chairman’s Letter
9
At the end of last year, we announced and explained our company’s updated
strategy along with a related package of measures and ambitious medium-
term financial targets. Our success in the coming years will depend partly on
accomplishing the integration at Crop Science but also on implementing the
measures we announced and adjusting the innovation model in our pharmaceu-
ticals business.
This will put Bayer in the best possible position to deliver long-term value crea-
tion as a world-leading life science company.
Based on our mission “Science for a better life,” we help to address questions
in health and nutrition that are of paramount importance in people’s lives:
How can we feed a constantly growing global population in an era of climate
change? How can we use innovation to shape demographic change in such a
way that it leads to a longer lifetime that can be actively used in good physical
and mental condition? How can we ensure that people in developing countries
benefit better from the latest research and technological progress? How can
we best utilize the opportunities of digitalization and artificial intelligence for the
benefit of patients, consumers, farmers and the environment? How can we
ensure that the world manages its finite resources responsibly and sustainably?
The answers to these questions will clearly determine not only our future
prosperity but also our social cohesion. We aim to make our contribution as a
company with a global reach, a global perspective and a strong sense of re-
sponsibility. We plan to invest some €35 billion in our future during the period
through 2022, with research and development accounting for over two-thirds
of this figure.
Our realigned Crop Science Division is working on innovative seed and crop
protection products, digital and customized solutions for farms of all sizes, and
new approaches to sustainable, resource-efficient agriculture.
We are working on improvements in health care, whether through our
Pharmaceuticals Division which is focusing on therapeutic areas with a high
medical need or through the over-the-counter products of our Consumer
Health Division which support individual health protection.
10
To our Stockholders
Chairman’s Letter
Bayer Annual Report 2018
The safety of our products and the well-being of customers and patients are
our top priority.
Our activities in health and nutrition are united by the common Bayer brand,
which enjoys a very good reputation around the world, standing for quality and
integrity, as well as by a common infrastructure and, not least, by a common
and vibrant corporate culture. At Bayer, we place great value on trust and mu-
tual respect in our dealings with one another.
We want people to know what Bayer stands for. We plan to build on the
pioneering role we have assumed regarding transparency, such as through the
publication of numerous safety studies in crop protection. And we intend to live
up to our responsibility as a global corporation through our ongoing commit-
ment to the principles of the United Nations Global Compact and an orientation
toward clear values.
We want to be judged – also by you, our stockholders – on our adherence to
these values and our attainment of the ambitious targets we have set for the
coming years. Thank you for the trust you place in Bayer. In 2019, we will con-
tinue to do all we can to live up to this trust.
Sincerely,
Werner Baumann
Chairman of the Board of Management of Bayer AG
Bayer Annual Report 2018
To our Stockholders
Board of Management
11
Board of
Management
Wolfgang Nickl
Finance
Wolfgang Nickl studied business
administration in Stuttgart and Los
Angeles. Following numerous roles
in Europe and the United States at
Western Digital Corporation, Nickl
was appointed Chief Financial
Officer in 2010. In 2013, he joined
Netherlands-based ASML N.V. as
Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer. Nickl has been
a member of the Bayer Board of
Management since April 2018.
Werner Baumann
Chairman
Werner Baumann studied econom-
ics in Aachen and Cologne, joining
Bayer AG in 1988. After holding
positions of increasing responsibil-
ity in Spain and the United States,
he became a member of the
Board of Management of Bayer
HealthCare. He was appointed to
the Bayer Board of Management
in 2010, first as Chief Financial
Officer and then as Chief Strategy
and Portfolio Officer. Baumann has
been Chairman of the Bayer Board
of Management since May 2016.
Dr. Hartmut Klusik 1
Human Resources ·
Technology · Sustainability
Hartmut Klusik studied chemistry in
Marburg. After gaining a Ph.D., he
began his professional career at Wolff
Walsrode in 1984. He transferred to
crop protection production at Bayer in
Brazil in 1990. Following assignments
in the United States and Australia and
after holding positions of increasing
responsibility at Bayer CropScience,
he was appointed to the Board of
Management of Bayer HealthCare,
with responsibility for Product Supply.
He was appointed to the Bayer Board
of Management in January 2016.
¹ Labor Director
Kemal Malik
Innovation
Kemal Malik studied medicine
and worked in a London hospi-
tal. After holding different posi-
tions of increasing responsibility
at Bristol-Myers Squibb, he
joined Bayer in 1995. In 2007,
Malik became a member of
the Executive Committee, head
of Global Development and
Chief Medical Officer of Bayer
HealthCare. He was appointed
to the Bayer Board of Manage-
ment in February 2014.
Stefan Oelrich
Pharmaceuticals
Stefan Oelrich joined Bayer as a
commercial trainee. After qualifying
as a commercial assistant, he held a
number of positions of increasing
responsibility in Bayer’s HealthCare
business. In 2011, Oelrich joined
Sanofi, where he held numerous roles
before being appointed Executive
Vice President Diabetes &
Cardiovascular in the company’s
Executive Committee. Oelrich has
served as a member of the Bayer
Board of Management and head of
the Pharmaceuticals Division since
November 2018.
Heiko Schipper
Consumer Health
After completing his studies in
business economics in Rotterdam,
Heiko Schipper acquired experience
at Heineken before joining Nestlé in
1996, where he held various sales
and marketing roles in Bangladesh,
Indonesia and Switzerland. Schipper
took on general management roles
with increasing responsibility in the
Philippines and Greater China. He was
later appointed CEO of Nestlé Nutrition
and a member of the Nestlé Group
Executive Board. Schipper has been
a member of the Bayer Board of
Management since March 2018.
Liam Condon
Crop Science
Liam Condon studied international
marketing in Dublin and Berlin.
He held various positions of increas-
ing responsibility with the former
Schering AG, Berlin, Germany, and
with Bayer HealthCare in Europe and
Asia, including as Managing Director
of Bayer HealthCare China and head
of Bayer HealthCare in Germany.
Condon became Chief Executive
Officer of Bayer CropScience in
2012. He was appointed to the Bayer
Board of Management and head
of the Crop Science Division in
January 2016.
12
To our Stockholders
Report of the Supervisory Board
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Report of the Supervisory Board
During 2018, the Supervisory Board monitored the conduct of the company’s business by
the Board of Management on a regular basis with the aid of detailed written and oral reports
received from the Board of Management, and also acted in an advisory capacity. In addition,
the Chairman of the Supervisory Board maintained a constant exchange of information with
the Chairman of the Board of Management and with the other Management Board members.
In this way the Supervisory Board was kept continuously informed about the company’s
intended business strategy, corporate planning (including financial, investment and human
resources planning), earnings performance, the state of the business and the situation in the
company and the Group.
Where Board of Management decisions or actions required the approval of the Supervisory
Board, whether by law or under the Articles of Incorporation or the rules of procedure, the draft
resolutions were inspected by the members at the meetings of the full Supervisory Board, some-
times after preparatory work by the committees, or approved on the basis of documents circu-
lated to the members. The Supervisory Board was involved in decisions of material importance to
the company. We discussed at length the business trends described in the reports from the
Board of Management and the prospects for the development of the Bayer Group as a whole,
the divisions and the principal affiliated companies in Germany and abroad.
Change on the Supervisory Board
Dr. Klaus Sturany’s term of office as a member of the Supervisory Board ended at the end of
the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting on May 25, 2018. The Supervisory Board elected Professor
Norbert Winkeljohann to succeed him until the end of the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting 2023.
Work of the Supervisory Board
The Supervisory Board convened seven times in 2018. No member of the Supervisory Board
attended only half or fewer than half of its meetings or those of the committees on which they
served. The average attendance rate by Supervisory Board members at the meetings of the
Supervisory Board and of its committees held in 2018 was more than 97 percent. A detailed over-
view of the attendance of the individual members of the Supervisory Board at the meetings of the
Supervisory Board and its committees is shown in the “Further Information” section under
“Governance Bodies.”
The members of the Board of Management regularly attended the meetings of the Supervisory
Board. Where necessary, the Supervisory Board met without the Board of Management or with
only the Chairman of the Board of Management present.
The deliberations of the Supervisory Board focused on questions relating to Bayer’s strategy,
portfolio, business activities and personnel matters. The work of the Supervisory Board focused
particularly on two main areas that were each addressed at several meetings: First, the Monsanto
transaction, including the progress of the merger control proceedings, the performance of the
Monsanto business, the related risks and the integration of the business. And second, the further
development of Bayer’s strategy and the portfolio, efficiency and structural measures required to
implement it. Between the meetings of the Supervisory Board, these issues were also the subject
of an extensive dialogue between the Chairman of the Supervisory Board and the Chairman of
the Board of Management.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
To our Stockholders
13
Report of the Supervisory Board
The discussions at the meetings held in 2018 centered on the
following topics.
At its February meeting, the Supervisory Board dealt with the
Annual Report 2017, the agenda for the Annual Stockholders’
Meeting 2018, the status of the merger control proceedings
relating to the Monsanto acquisition and the Group’s risk man-
agement system, and adopted resolutions on the compensa-
tion of the Board of Management.
At an extraordinary meeting convened in April, the Supervisory
Board looked in detail at the required divestment of parts of
the Crop Science business in connection with the merger con-
trol proceedings for the Monsanto transaction. The Supervisory
Board also approved a further reduction of Bayer’s interest in
Covestro.
At its May meeting, the Supervisory Board discussed the busi-
ness performance to date in 2018 and the upcoming Annual
Stockholders’ Meeting. It also adopted resolutions pertaining
to two deviations from the recommendations of the German
Corporate Governance Code along with a resolution to ap-
prove the existing consulting contracts between Bayer com-
panies and companies of the global PricewaterhouseCoopers
(PwC) network in light of the proposal to the Annual Stock-
holders’ Meeting that Professor Norbert Winkeljohann be
elected to the Supervisory Board.
Werner Wenning, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Bayer AG
At an extraordinary meeting in July, the Supervisory Board examined the divestment of the global
prescription dermatology products business and adopted a resolution on this matter.
At its September meeting, the Supervisory Board extended the service contract of Liam Condon
by five years and that of Hartmut Klusik by one year, and appointed Stefan Oelrich to the
company’s Board of Management for a three-year term commencing November 1, 2018. The
Supervisory Board also approved Dieter Weinand’s departure from the company by mutual
agreement with effect as of October 31, 2018. In addition, the Supervisory Board adjusted the
performance targets for the Board of Management for 2018 in view of the closing of the Monsanto
acquisition. The Supervisory Board discussed the status of the glyphosate-related litigations in
detail. The Supervisory Board then examined in great detail the further development of the
strategy of the Bayer Group and its individual divisions. It was established that the Supervisory
Board explicitly supports the strategy of the Board of Management.
At an extraordinary meeting in November, the Supervisory Board dealt in detail with the status
of the Monsanto integration and the integrated financial planning. The Supervisory Board also
once again looked closely at the status of the litigations in connection with glyphosate. The
discussion also addressed the extent to which these risks had been analyzed and assessed
prior to the Monsanto acquisition. Following the related discussion at the previous meeting, the
Supervisory Board once again conferred about the further development of the strategy and
adopted resolutions on a series of portfolio, efficiency and structural measures. Specifically, it
discussed the planned divestment of the Animal Health business, the sunscreen and foot care
businesses of the Consumer Health Division and the 60 percent interest in the German site
services provider Currenta. In connection with the planned efficiency and structural measures,
the Supervisory Board examined the increased alignment of the pharmaceutical research activi-
ties toward external innovation and the reduction of inhouse capacities in this area, the concen-
tration of production for all recombinant Factor VIII products at the Berkeley, California, site, the
decision not to utilize the Factor VIII facility built in Wuppertal, and adjustments to the corporate
14
To our Stockholders
Report of the Supervisory Board
Bayer Annual Report 2018
and central functions, service functions and country platforms. The Supervisory Board also
discussed the updated financial planning of the Bayer Group and was briefed on the planned
Capital Markets Day.
At its meeting in December 2018, the Supervisory Board undertook the routine review of the
fixed compensation of the members of the Board of Management and the pension amounts of the
former members of the Board of Management. Also at this meeting, the Board of Management
presented its planning for the business operations in the years 2019 through 2022 and its expec-
tations for the company’s future rating. The Supervisory Board approved the proposed financing
framework for 2019 and the securing of a new credit facility. At this meeting, the Supervisory
Board took a detailed look at the efficiency audit, which had been conducted with external sup-
port. Building on the discussions at previous meetings and a detailed examination of the relevant
documents undertaken in the meantime, the Supervisory Board also dealt once again with the
risks arising from Monsanto’s glyphosate business. This discussion also focused on a comprehen-
sive expert report by a prominent law firm that examined compliance with audit obligations and
duty of care responsibilities in this regard when the Monsanto transaction was prepared and im-
plemented. The report came to the conclusion that the members of the Board of Management
had fulfilled their statutory duties in connection with the Monsanto transaction, particularly with
regard to the examination and assessment of the liability risks related to the glyphosate business.
The Supervisory Board concurred with the report’s findings. Finally, the Supervisory Board re-
solved to issue an unqualified declaration of future compliance with the German Corporate
Governance Code. Following the December meeting, an information and discussion forum was
held for the members of the Supervisory Board on the topic of innovation at Crop Science.
Committees of the Supervisory Board
The Supervisory Board has a Presidial Committee, an Audit Committee, a Human Resources
Committee, a Nominations Committee and an Innovation Committee. The current membership of
the committees is shown in the “Further Information” section under “Governance Bodies.”
The meetings and decisions of the committees, and especially the meetings of the Audit
Committee, were prepared on the basis of reports and other information provided by the Board of
Management. Reports on the committee meetings were presented at the meetings of the full
Supervisory Board.
Presidial Committee: This comprises the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Supervisory
Board along with a further stockholder representative and a further employee representative.
The Presidial Committee serves primarily as the mediation committee pursuant to the German
Codetermination Act. It has the task of submitting proposals to the Supervisory Board on the
appointment of members of the Board of Management if the necessary two-thirds majority is
not achieved in the first vote at a plenary meeting. Certain decision-making powers in connection
with capital measures, including the power to amend the Articles of Incorporation accordingly,
have also been delegated to this committee. On a case-by-case basis, furthermore, the
Supervisory Board can delegate certain responsibilities to the Presidial Committee. Finally, the
Presidial Committee may also undertake preparatory work for full meetings of the Supervisory Board.
The Presidial Committee convened twice in 2018. At a meeting in April, the Presidial Committee
dealt with the issuance of shares to Temasek without granting subscription rights and adopted
the necessary resolution on the partial use of the Authorized Capital II. At a meeting in June
2018, the Presidial Committee dealt with the capital increase with subscription rights to be im-
plemented as well as with the issuance of bonds to implement an exchange offer for existing
Monsanto bonds, and adopted resolutions on both items. By way of a written resolution in May
2018, the Presidial Committee amended the proposal for the use of the distributable profit that
had been included in the Notice of the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting because the number of
shares had risen since its publication as a result of the capital increase for which subscription
rights were excluded.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
To our Stockholders
15
Report of the Supervisory Board
Audit Committee: The Audit Committee comprises three stockholder representatives and three
employee representatives. In the year under review, Dr. Klaus Sturany served as Chairman of the
Audit Committee until the day of the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting, May 25, 2018, and Professor
Norbert Winkeljohann succeeded him in this function following his election to the Supervisory
Board on May 25, 2018. Both satisfied the statutory requirements concerning the expertise in the
field of accounting or auditing that a member of the Supervisory Board and the Audit Committee
is required to possess. The Audit Committee meets regularly four times a year.
Its tasks include in particular oversight of the accounting, the financial reporting process, the
effectiveness and ongoing development of the internal control system, the risk management sys-
tem, the internal audit system, the compliance system and the audit of the financial statements.
The Audit Committee prepares the resolutions of the Supervisory Board concerning the financial
statements and management report of Bayer AG and the proposal for the use of the distributable
profit, the consolidated financial statements and management report of the Bayer Group and the
agreements with the auditor (particularly the awarding of the audit contract, the determination
of the main areas of focus for the audit and the audit fee agreement). The committee submits a
reasoned proposal to the full Supervisory Board concerning the auditor’s appointment, and takes
appropriate measures to determine and monitor the auditor’s independence. The audit focuses
particularly on whether the financial statements have been prepared in compliance with the statu-
tory requirements and whether the financial reporting provides a true and fair view of the financial
position and results of operations of the company and the Group.
The Audit Committee discussed developments in the area of corporate compliance at each of its
meetings, where necessary.
The Chairman of the Board of Management and the Chief Financial Officer at the respective time
regularly attended the meetings of the Audit Committee. Representatives of the auditor were also
present at all the meetings and reported in detail on the audit work and the audit reviews of the
interim financial reports.
The Audit Committee devoted special attention in 2018 to the effects of the Monsanto transaction
on the financial reporting and to the litigations related to glyphosate. The individual meetings
focused mainly on the following topics: At the February meeting, the Audit Committee discussed
the financial statements of Bayer AG and the consolidated financial statements of the Bayer
Group. It also carefully considered the risk report, which covers the risk early warning system, and
the report on the internal control system (ICS). The Audit Committee discussed the further devel-
oped policies for risk reporting. Further, the Audit Committee examined the development of legal
and compliance cases. Finally, the Audit Committee made a recommendation to the full
Supervisory Board concerning the resolution to be submitted to the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting
on the appointment of the auditor of the financial statements. The principal topics at the April
meeting were the yearly reports by the Group Compliance Officer and Internal Audit, digitization
and process optimization initiatives in the CFO’s area, and determining the main areas of focus for
the audit of the 2018 financial statements.
At the August meeting, the interim financial report and, in particular, the glyphosate-related litiga-
tions were discussed in detail. At its November meeting, the Audit Committee discussed the
yearly report of the Tax department, the audit conducted pursuant to Section 32 of the German
Securities Trading Act (WpHG) (EMIR), the audit budget for the external auditor for 2019 and the
framework for the auditor’s non-audit services.
Human Resources Committee: On this committee, too, there is parity of representation between
stockholders and employees. It consists of the Chairman of the Supervisory Board and three other
Supervisory Board members. The Human Resources Committee prepares the personnel decisions
of the full Supervisory Board, which resolves on appointments or dismissals of members of the
Board of Management. The Human Resources Committee resolves on behalf of the Supervisory
16
To our Stockholders
Report of the Supervisory Board
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Board on the service contracts of the members of the Board of Management. However, it is the
task of the full Supervisory Board to resolve on the total compensation of the individual members
of the Board of Management and the respective compensation components, as well as to regular-
ly review the compensation system on the basis of recommendations submitted by the Human
Resources Committee. The Human Resources Committee also discusses the long-term succes-
sion planning for the Board of Management.
The Chairman of the Board of Management regularly attended the meetings of the Human
Resources Committee where the issues discussed did not relate to him personally.
The Human Resources Committee convened on three occasions and also passed one resolution
in writing outside a meeting. In each case, the meetings involved deliberations and the adoption
of resolutions relating to the compensation of the Board of Management and the service contracts
of Board of Management members, the extension of the terms of office of Liam Condon and
Hartmut Klusik, the departure of Dieter Weinand and the appointment of Stefan Oelrich to the
Board of Management.
Nominations Committee: This committee carries out preparatory work when an election of stock-
holder representatives to the Supervisory Board is to be held. It suggests suitable candidates for
the Supervisory Board to propose to the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting for election. The Nomina-
tions Committee comprises the Chairman of the Supervisory Board and the other stockholder
representative on the Presidial Committee.
The Nominations Committee met once in 2018 and adopted a recommendation for an election
proposal to the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting 2019.
Innovation Committee: The Innovation Committee is primarily concerned with the innovation
strategy and innovation management, the strategy for the protection of intellectual property, and
major research and development programs at Bayer. Within its area of responsibility, the commit-
tee advises and oversees the management and prepares any Supervisory Board decisions. The
Committee comprises the Chairman of the Supervisory Board and five other members of the
Supervisory Board, with parity of representation between stockholder and employee representa-
tives. The Chairman of the Board of Management and the member of the Board of Management
responsible for Innovation regularly attend the meetings of the Innovation Committee.
The Innovation Committee convened once in 2018. At this meeting, it dealt with digital transfor-
mation at Bayer and the further development of the Bayer Lifescience Center (Leaps) after the
latter topic had been discussed at earlier meetings.
Corporate governance
The Supervisory Board dealt with the principles of corporate governance at Bayer. In particular, it
resolved in its May meeting on a declaration on two temporary deviations from the recommenda-
tions of the German Corporate Governance Code. At its December meeting, the Supervisory
Board then resolved to issue an unqualified declaration of future compliance. Further, at the meet-
ings of the Supervisory Board the Chairman of the Supervisory Board gave a summary of his dia-
logue with investors.
Financial statements and audits
The financial statements of Bayer AG were prepared according to the requirements of the German
Commercial Code and Stock Corporation Act. The consolidated financial statements of the Bayer
Group were prepared according to the German Commercial Code and the International Financial
Reporting Standards (IFRS). The combined management report was prepared according to the
German Commercial Code. The auditor, Deloitte GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft, Munich,
has audited the financial statements of Bayer AG, the consolidated financial statements of the
Bayer Group and the combined management report. The auditor responsible for the audit was
Professor Frank Beine. The conduct of the audit is explained in the auditor’s reports. The auditor
finds that Bayer has complied, as appropriate, with the German Commercial Code, the German
Bayer Annual Report 2018
To our Stockholders
17
Report of the Supervisory Board
Stock Corporation Act and / or the International Financial Reporting Standards endorsed by the
European Union, and issues an unqualified opinion on the financial statements of Bayer AG, the
consolidated financial statements of the Bayer Group and the combined management report. The
financial statements of Bayer AG, the consolidated financial statements of the Bayer Group, the
combined management report and the audit reports were submitted to all members of the
Supervisory Board. They were discussed in detail by the Audit Committee and at a meeting of the
full Supervisory Board. The auditor submitted a report on both occasions and was present during
the discussions.
We examined the financial statements of Bayer AG, the proposal for the use of the distributable
profit, the consolidated financial statements of the Bayer Group and the combined management
report. While examining the combined management report, we also examined in particular the
nonfinancial statement that is fully integrated in the management report. This statement was also
examined by the auditor. We have no objections, thus we concur with the result of the audit.
We have approved the financial statements of Bayer AG and the consolidated financial state-
ments of the Bayer Group prepared by the Board of Management. The financial statements
of Bayer AG are thus confirmed. We are in agreement with the combined management report
and, in particular, with the assessment of the future development of the enterprise. We also
concur with the dividend policy and the decisions concerning earnings retention by the company.
We assent to the proposal for the use of the distributable profit, which provides for payment
of a dividend of €2.80 per share.
The Supervisory Board would like to thank the Board of Management and all employees for their
dedication and hard work in 2018.
Leverkusen, February 26, 2019
For the Supervisory Board
Werner Wenning
Chairman
18
To our Stockholders
Investor Information
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Investor Information
Performance of Bayer stock
The performance of Bayer stock was clearly in negative territory in 2018. The company’s shares
reached their high for the year in January, at €107.48. Following declines through the end of
March, the price recovered significantly to more than €100 per share in May. Bayer stock then
registered declines over the further course of the year, particularly in August as a result of a
judgment by a court of first instance in the United States in connection with glyphosate, and
closed the year at €60.56. Including the dividend of €2.80 per share paid at the end of May, the
return on Bayer stock was minus 39.2%. By comparison, the German stock index DAX30 fell by
18.3% in 2018.
Bayer Stock Data
Earnings per share from continuing and discontinued operations
Core earnings per share from continuing operations
1
Cash flow from operating activities in continuing operations per share
Equity per share
Dividend per share
Year-end price ²
High for the year ²
Low for the year ²
Total dividend payment
3
Number of shares entitled to the dividend (Dec. 31)
Market capitalization (Dec. 31)
Average daily share turnover on German stock exchanges
Price / EPS²
Price / core EPS ²
Price / cash flow ²
Dividend yield
1
2018
1.80
5.94
8.49
49.49
2.80
2017
8.41
6.64
7.99
44.57
2.80
104.00
123.30
100.00
60.56
107.48
59.16
2,402
826.95
2,611
932.55
86.0
2.0
12.4
15.7
13.0
2.7
56.5
3.6
33.6
10.2
7.1
4.6
€
€
€
€
€
€
€
€
€ million
million shares
€ billion
million shares
%
2017 figures restated
1 For details on the calculation of core earnings per share see Combined Management Report, A 2.4
2 Xetra closing prices (source: Bloomberg)
3 In April 2018, the Republic of Singapore subscribed to 31 million new shares carrying dividend rights for 2017 through a subsidiary.
The 2017 total dividend payment therefore increased by the sum of the dividends attributable to the newly issued shares.
Successful financing in turbulent markets
In addition to the European Central Bank reducing its bond purchases, concerns about escalating
trade disputes and a no-deal Brexit led to increased volatility in the capital markets. While interest
rates remained low, credit spreads increased sharply, roughly doubling over the course of the year.
The premiums for new issues commonly seen in the bond market also expanded markedly com-
pared with the previous year. As expected, total issue volumes did not reach the record levels of
the prior year, but were still well above the average of the last 10 years.
2018 was a very eventful year for Bayer, not only generally but also in terms of financing: All ma-
turing bonds in U.S. dollars, British pound sterling and Japanese yen were redeemed and various
financing sources leveraged to finance the Monsanto acquisition. On April 16, the Republic of
Singapore subscribed to 31 million new Bayer AG shares through a subsidiary, generating gross
Bayer Annual Report 2018
To our Stockholders
Investor Information
19
proceeds of €3.0 billion. This issuance was followed in June by a capital increase with subscrip-
tion rights for existing stockholders that generated net proceeds of some €6.0 billion, with approx-
imately 74.6 million shares issued.
Bond issues also took place at the same time. On June 18, Bayer issued unsecured bonds in
144a/RegS format with a volume of US$15.0 billion. Eight tranches with maturities of between
three and 30 years were successfully placed with institutional investors. The following day, Bayer
completed the financing by placing unsecured bonds with a volume of €5.0 billion on the euro
market.
Bayer also took over 16 outstanding bonds with a total volume of US$6.9 billion from Monsanto.
Bayer initiated an exchange offer for all 16 debt instruments, granting the bondholders of Monsanto
the option of acquiring securities guaranteed by Bayer AG. Some 83% of the outstanding bond
volume was exchanged.
Further details of all outstanding bonds are given in B Consolidated Financial Statements, Note [27].
Dividend of €2.80 per share, matching prior year
We registered successful operational performance overall in 2018 and want our stockholders
to adequately share in the company’s success through an attractive dividend. The Board of
Management and the Supervisory Board will therefore propose to the Annual Stockholders’
Meeting that the dividend remain unchanged at €2.80 per share, which corresponds to 47.1%
of core earnings per share in 2018.
The dividend yield calculated on the share price at year-end 2018 amounts to 4.6%.
Dividends Per Share and Total Dividend Payments
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
€2.70
€2.80
€2.80
€2.50
€2.10
€2.25
€1.40
€1.50
€1.90
€1.65
€1,158 million €1,240 million €1,364 million
€1,571 million
€1,737 million €1,861 million €2,067 million €2,233 million
€2,402 million
€2,611 million1
Dividend per share (€)
Total dividend payment (€ million)
1
In April 2018, the Republic of Singapore subscribed to 31 million new shares carrying dividend rights for 2017 through a subsidiary. The 2017 total dividend payment
therefore increased by the sum of the dividends attributable to the newly issued shares.
20
To our Stockholders
Investor Information
Bayer Annual Report 2018
GRI 102-43
Investor relations activities in 2018
Bayer’s investor relations activities in 2018 focused on the Monsanto acquisition and our Capital
Markets Day, where we presented our new medium-term targets, along with the accompanying
communications for the equity and debt measures. We intensified our contact with investors and
analysts in general at a number of roadshows and conferences in Germany and abroad.
At the Capital Markets Day, our most important investor relations event of the year, institutional
investors and analysts had the opportunity to engage in direct dialogue with our executive
management. It was one of our company’s best-attended IR events, with participation by more
than 150 capital market representatives. The conference program offered information on our
company’s strategy and medium-term financial targets, as well as on the current business
performance. In addition, topics relating specifically to Crop Science were addressed in depth
during a series of workshops.
GRI 102-43, 102-44
A sustainable investment
We continued our dialogue with sustainability-oriented investors, analysts and rating agencies in
2018. The discussions focused on the acquisition of Monsanto, as well as on business ethics,
product stewardship and the environmental impact of our activities.
www.bayer.com/awards
Bayer continues to be included in the important sustainability indices FTSE4Good, MSCI World
Low Carbon Target Index, STOXX® Europe Sustainability Index and the STOXX® Global ESG
Impact index.
In addition, in 2018 Bayer was again evaluated by the CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) as one of
the leading international pharmaceutical companies in the areas of climate protection and sustain-
able water management.
A growing number of stockholders
The number of Bayer stockholders rose substantially in 2018. At the end of 2018, approximately
383,000 stockholders were listed in our share register – an increase of more than 11% compared
with the previous year. Our ownership structure illustrates the international distribution of our
capital stock. The highest proportion of our outstanding shares, at approximately 30%, is held by
investors in the United States and Canada, followed by Germany, with about 20%. Bayer has a
100% free float as defined by Deutsche Börse, the operator of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
Shareholder Composition – Regional Allocation
5.4% Other countries
1.1% Benelux
3
9.7% Not covered by survey
2.5% Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein
30.2% United States & Canada
4.8% Singapore
5.6% Denmark, Finland,
Norway, Sweden
6.3% France, Spain, Italy,
Portugal
14.2% U.K. & Ireland
Source: Cmi2i
20.2% Germany
Bayer Annual Report 2018
About this Report
21
About this Report
This integrated Annual Report combines our financial and our sustainability reporting. Our aim is
to elucidate the interactions between financial, ecological and societal factors and underline their
influence on our company’s long-term success. The integrated Bayer Annual Report 2018 is
available online as an HTML report, PDF file and app.
Legal principles and reporting standards
The consolidated financial statements of the Bayer Group as of December 31, 2018, comply with
the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as adopted by the E.U., valid at the closing
date and with the provisions of the German Commercial Code in conjunction with German financial
reporting standards (DRS). With due regard to these provisions, the combined management report
provides an accurate overview of the financial position and results of operations of the Bayer
Group. The Corporate Governance Report also conforms with the recommendations of the German
Corporate Governance Code. The consolidated financial statements and the combined manage-
ment report are published in the Federal Gazette in line with the statutory disclosure requirement.
The Bayer Group’s sustainability reporting has been aligned to the guidelines of the Global
Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the 10 principles of the U.N. Global Compact (UNGC) since 2000.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the GRI Standards: “core” option. The
detailed GRI index with the corresponding UNGC principles and Bayer’s areas of activity can be
found online. This report also serves as a Communication on Progress in line with the U.N.
Global Compact.
www.bayer.com/gri
We also use, for example, the international recommendations and guidelines of the OECD and ISO
26000 as a guide for defining and selecting nonfinancial indicators and in our reporting. In select-
ing and measuring our key data, we take into account the recommendations of the Greenhouse
Gas Protocol with respect to greenhouse gas emissions and those of the European Federation of
Financial Analysts Societies, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and the
European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC) with respect to other nonfinancial indicators.
Nonfinancial statement pursuant to the German Commercial Code
The nonfinancial statement pursuant to the CSR Directive Implementation Act (Sections 289b et
seq. and 315b et seq. of the German Commercial Code) is integrated into the combined man-
agement report and covers data for the Bayer Group and Bayer AG as the parent company. As a
framework for this, we also apply the GRI Standards (Section 289d of the German Commercial
Code). The required disclosures, the corresponding chapters of the combined management report
and the corresponding Bayer areas of activity with regard to the aspects prescribed by law are
given in the index to the nonfinancial statement. The legality, accuracy and expediency of the
nonfinancial statement have been verified by the Supervisory Board.
See A 4.6 regarding the
index to the nonfinancial
statement
Data collection and reporting thresholds
In accordance with IFRS 5 (Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations), finan-
cial indicators are given for continuing operations unless otherwise explicitly indicated. The same
applies to HR and HSE (health, safety and environment) indicators and our social data.
GRI 102-45
Reporting of the Group’s HSE data includes all fully consolidated companies in which we hold at
least a 50 percent interest. Data on occupational injuries are collected at all sites worldwide. Envi-
ronmental indicators are measured at all environmentally relevant production, research and admin-
istration sites. We consider environmentally relevant sites to be all those whose annual energy
consumption is more than 1.5 terajoules.
Several nonfinancial indicators (particularly related to employees and procurement) are reported
only for our significant locations of operation in line with the requirements of the corresponding
GRI indicators. In 2018, this covered 18 countries that accounted for more than 80% of total
Bayer Group sales.
22
About this Report
Bayer Annual Report 2018
See A 1.1.2, A 2.1.3
and Note 6 to
B Consolidated
Financial Statements
for information on the
acquisition and the
related divestments
GRI 102-45
We closed the acquisition of Monsanto on June 7, 2018. The integration of Monsanto’s personnel
and functions has been concluded such that cross-functional management is ensured by Bayer’s
Board of Management. Further integration measures such as the systems and process integration
are either being planned or implemented, and are scheduled for completion in the coming years
according to the underlying complexity of the individual subject areas. The acquired agriculture
business is included in the quantitative and qualitative disclosures except where otherwise indi-
cated.
External verification
The auditing company Deloitte GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft (Deloitte), Munich,
Germany, has audited the consolidated financial statements (including the notes thereto) of
Bayer AG, Leverkusen, and the combined management report for the fiscal year from January 1,
2018, to December 31, 2018, and has issued an unqualified opinion (reasonable assurance).
The audit also includes the disclosures pertaining to the nonfinancial statement pursuant to
Section 315c of the German Commercial Code in conjunction with Section 289c of the German
Commercial Code. The audit opinion on the combined management report does not pertain to
the following, indented text passages and elements of the combined management report:
Section
Diverse stakeholders in focus
Chapter
1.2.3 Sustainability Management
Collaboration formats aimed at specific target groups
1.2.3 Sustainability Management
Binding and transparent compensation structures
1.4.1 Employees
Quality management of segments
Biodiversity in the segments
Commitment to reducing animal studies
Global pharmaceutical monitoring system
Processes in plant biotechnology
Training farmers and Bayer employees
Occupational illnesses
Other direct air emissions
Water use in the Bayer Group 2018
Waste by means of disposal
1.6.1 Product Stewardship
1.6.1 Product Stewardship
1.6.1 Product Stewardship
1.6.1 Product Stewardship
1.6.1 Product Stewardship
1.6.1 Product Stewardship
1.6.2 Occupational, Plant and Transportation Safety
1.6.3 Environmental Protection
1.6.3 Environmental Protection
1.6.3 Environmental Protection
Liaison offices – Contact with political stakeholders
4.2 Compliance
The auditor, Deloitte, subjected these sections to an audit with limited assurance. The pro-forma
sales of Crop Science and the declaration of compliance with the German Corporate Governance
Code have not been audited by the auditor.
Additional information
// As the indicators in this report are stated in accordance with commercial rounding principles,
totals and percentages may not always be exact.
// For further guidance, the Annual Report contains references in the margin as follows:
Cross-references within the
References to websites
GRI references
Annual Report
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
23
1.1 Corporate Profile and Structure
Combined Management
Report
of the Bayer Group and Bayer AG as of December 31, 2018
1. Fundamental Information
About the Group
1.1 Corporate Profile and Structure
The foundation for our success: innovation strength
Bayer supports efforts to attain U.N. Sustainable Development Goals
Largest acquisition in Bayer’s history bolsters agricultural business
1.1.1 Corporate Profile
Bayer is a life science company and a global leader in health care and nutrition. Our innovative
products support efforts to overcome the major challenges presented by a growing and aging
global population. Guided by our corporate purpose “Bayer: Science for a better life,” we help to
prevent, alleviate and treat diseases. We are also making an important contribution to providing a
reliable supply of high-quality food, feed and plant-based raw materials, while at the same time
promoting the sustainable use of natural resources. Our business activities therefore also support
the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
We aim to bolster profitability and create value for our customers, shareholders and employees.
Around the world, the Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality. Across our various busi-
nesses, our activities are guided by our corporate values of Leadership, Integrity, Flexibility and
Efficiency, or LIFE for short. Our value culture ensures a common identity throughout the enter-
prise across national boundaries, management hierarchies and cultural differences.
1.1.2 Corporate Structure
Corporate structure as of December 31, 2018
The management structure of the Bayer Group comprises three divisions – Pharmaceuticals,
Consumer Health and Crop Science – and the Animal Health business unit, which are also our
reporting segments. The corporate functions, Business Services and the service company
Currenta support the operational business.
24
A Combined Management Report
1.1 Corporate Profile and Structure
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A 1.1.2/1
Bayer Group Structure in 2018
Board of Management
Pharmaceuticals
Consumer Health
Crop Science
Corporate functions & Business Services
Animal Health
Currenta (60%)
Pharmaceuticals concentrates on prescription products, especially for cardiology and women’s
health care, and on specialty therapeutics focused on the areas of oncology, hematology and
ophthalmology. The division also comprises the radiology business, which markets diagnostic
imaging equipment together with the necessary contrast agents. Our portfolio includes a range of
key products that are among the world’s leading pharmaceuticals for their indications. The pre-
scription products from Pharmaceuticals are primarily distributed through wholesalers, pharmacies
and hospitals.
Consumer Health is a leading supplier of nonprescription (OTC = over-the-counter) medicines,
medical products, cosmetics and other self-care solutions in the categories of dermatology, nutri-
tional supplements, pain and cardiovascular risk prevention, digestive health, allergy, cough and
cold, foot care and sun protection. The products are generally sold by pharmacies, supermarket
and drugstore chains, online retailers and other large retailers.
Crop Science is the world’s leading agriculture enterprise following the acquisition of Monsanto,
with businesses in crop protection and seeds. We offer a broad portfolio of high-value seeds,
improved plant traits, innovative chemical and biological crop protection products, digital solutions
and extensive customer service for sustainable agriculture. We market these products primarily
via wholesalers and retailers or directly to farmers. In addition, we market pest and weed control
products and services to professional users outside the agriculture industry. Most of our crop-
protection products are manufactured at the segment’s own production sites. Numerous decen-
tralized formulation and filling sites enable the company to quickly react to the needs of local mar-
kets. The breeding, propagation, production and / or processing of seeds, including seed dressing,
takes place at locations close to our customers, either at our own facilities or under contract.
Animal Health is a global leader in its field. We develop innovative products and solutions for the
prevention and treatment of diseases in companion and farm animals. We market our animal
health products globally through veterinarians and other distribution channels such as pharmacies
or retail stores.
The corporate functions and Business Services operate as Group-wide competence centers in
which business support services are bundled. Currenta is the service company responsible for
managing and operating the Chempark sites in Leverkusen, Dormagen and Krefeld-Uerdingen.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
25
1.1 Corporate Profile and Structure
More information on the segments’ products and activities is contained in the following table:
Products and Activities of the Segments
Indication / Application / Business Core activities and markets
Main products and brands
1
A 1.1.2/2
Infectious diseases
Bacterial infections
Pharmaceuticals
Cardiology
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Hematology
Women’s health
Radiology
Neurology
Consumer Health
Dermatology
Nutritionals
Pain
Digestive health
Allergy
Cough and cold
Foot care
Sun protection
Crop Science
Herbicides
Hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, heart attack
and stroke, thrombosis, coronary artery disease (CAD),
peripheral artery disease (PAD)
Liver cancer, renal cell carcinoma, thyroid carcinoma,
prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, gastrointestinal
stromal tumors (GIST), follicular lymphoma, solid tumors
with NTRK gene fusions
Xarelto™, Adalat™, Aspirin™ Cardio,
Adempas™
Nexavar™, Xofigo™, Stivarga™, Aliqopa™,
Vitrakvi™
Visual impairment due to age-related macular
degeneration (AMD), diabetic macular edema (DME) or
retinal vein occlusion (RVO)
Eylea™
Hemophilia A
Contraception, gynecological therapy
Kogenate™ / Kovaltry™ / Jivi™
Mirena™ product family, Yaz™ / Yasmin™ /
Yasminelle™; Visanne™
Avalox™ / Avelox™, Cipro™, Ciprobay™
Contrast agents; diagnostic imaging equipment for use
with contrast agents
Gadovist™, Ultravist™, Medrad Spectris
Solaris™, Medrad Stellant™
Multiple sclerosis
Betaferon™ / Betaseron™
Wound care, skin care, skin and intimate health
Bepanthen™, Canesten™
Multivitamin products, dietary supplements
One A Day™, Elevit™, Berocca™, Supradyn™,
Redoxon™
General pain relief
Digestive health complaints
Allergies
Cough and cold
Foot care
Sun protection
Chemical crop protection products to control weeds
Aspirin™, Aleve™
MiraLAX™, Rennie™, Iberogast™
Claritin™
Aspirin™, Alka-Seltzer™, Afrin™
Dr. Scholl’s™
Coppertone™
Roundup™, Adengo™, Alion™, Corvus™,
Atlantis™, Harness™, Warrant™
Dekalb™, SmartStax™ RIB Complete, VT
Double™ PRO, VT Triple™ PRO
Asgrow™, Intacta RR2PRO™ Roundup Ready 2
Xtend™, Roundup Ready 2 Yield™
Corn Seed & Traits
Seeds and traits for corn
Soybean Seed & Traits
Seeds and traits for soybeans
Fungicides
Insecticides
Environmental Science
Vegetable Seeds
Digital Agriculture
Other
Animal Health
Companion animals business
Farm animals business
Biological and chemical products to protect crop plants
from fungal diseases
Flint™, Fox™, Luna™, Nativo™, Prosaro™,
Serenade™, Xpro™
Biological and chemical products to protect crop plants
from harmful insects and their larvae
Products for professional pest control, vector control,
forestry, golf courses and parks, railway tracks
BioAct™, Confidor™, Movento™, Sivanto™
Ficam™, Maxforce™, Esplanade™, K‑Othrine™
Vegetable seeds
Digital applications for agriculture
Seminis™, DeRuiters™
Climate FieldView™
Seeds and traits for cotton, oilseed rape / canola, rice
and wheat as well as biological and chemical seed
treatment products to protect against fungal diseases
and pests
Gaucho™, Bollgard™ II,
Bollgard™ II XtendFlex™, Deltapine™
Veterinary medicines and solutions to protect and
maintain the health and wellbeing of companion
animals, focusing on antiparasitics and anti-infectives
Veterinary medicines and solutions to treat and prevent
parasitic diseases, anti-infectives, immunostimulants,
pharmacological treatments and farm hygiene products
Advantage™ product family, Seresto™,
Drontal™ product family, Baytril™
Baytril™, Cydectin™
1 The order of the products listed is no indication of their significance.
26
A Combined Management Report
1.1 Corporate Profile and Structure
Bayer Annual Report 2018
We operate sites around the world, and some are used by multiple segments. As of December 31,
2018, the Bayer Group comprised 420 consolidated companies in 90 countries.
Bayer Worldwide 2018
North America
United States
Berkeley
Kansas City
Luling
Morristown
Muscatine
Myerstown
Pittsburgh
San Francisco
Saxonburg
Shawnee
Soda Springs
St. Louis
Whippany
Woodland
PH
CS
CS
CH
CS
CH
PH
PH
AH
CS
CS
| CH
CS
| PH
Latin America
Argentina
Zárate
Brazil
Belford Roxo
Camaçari
Petrolina
São Paulo
Mexico
Lerma
Mexico City
CS
CS
CS
CS
| CS
| AH
CH
PH: Pharmaceuticals
CH: Consumer Health
CS: Crop Science
AH: Animal Health
Significant research and development location
Significant production location
*
Headquarters
Significant administrative site
Europe / Middle East / Africa
Belgium
Antwerp
Germany
Bergkamen
Berlin
Bitterfeld – Wolfen
Darmstadt
Dormagen
Finland
CS
Turku
PH
*
PH
CH
CH
CS
France
Gaillard
Lyon
Sophia Antipolis
Villefranche
Italy
Frankfurt am Main
CS
Garbagnate
Grenzach
Hürth – Knapsack
Kiel
Cologne
Leverkusen
Monheim
Weimar
Wuppertal
CH
CS
AH
PH
Netherlands
Bergschenhoek
Norway
Oslo
*
Switzerland
PH
PH
Basel
Muttenz
| PH*
| AH
*
CS
A 1.1.2/3
PH
CH
CS
CS
CS
PH
CS
PH
PH
| CH
*
CS
Asia / Pacific
China
Beijing
Qidong
India
Thane
Vapi
Indonesia
Cimanggis
Japan
Koka
Osaka
Tokyo
New Zealand
Auckland
| PH
CH
CS
CH
PH
PH
PH
AH
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
27
1.1 Corporate Profile and Structure
Management functions of Bayer AG
As the parent company of the Bayer Group, Bayer AG – represented by its Board of Management
– performs the principal management functions for the entire company. This mainly comprises the
Group’s strategic alignment, resource allocation, and the management of financial affairs and
managerial staff, along with the management of the Group-wide operational business of the seg-
ments. In addition, Bayer AG also performs the corresponding parent company functions for
Pharmaceuticals and Crop Science in Germany.
Changes to the corporate structure
On June 7, 2018, Bayer completed the acquisition of the Monsanto Company, St. Louis, Missouri,
United States (Monsanto), for US$63 billion, including debt. The divestments to BASF required to
fulfill the antitrust conditions were completed on August 1, 2018, for all businesses earmarked for
divestment excluding the vegetable seed business, which was divested as of August 16, 2018.
The closing of these transactions led to the hold separate order being lifted and enabled the inte-
gration of Monsanto into the Bayer Group to begin.
See A 2.1.3 for further
details of the Monsanto
acquisition; see “About
this Report” for infor-
mation on reporting
thresholds
In connection with the acquisition, the structure was adjusted as of the second quarter of 2018
to reflect the relative sizes of the various strategic business entities at that time and moving for-
ward. Due to the relative sizes of the former Monsanto businesses “Corn seed and traits” and
“Soybean seed and traits,” we now report our corresponding strategic business entities Corn
Seed & Traits and Soybean Seed & Traits separately. The former Monsanto business “Agricultural
Productivity” was allocated among Herbicides, Environmental Science and Other, while “Cotton
seed and traits” and “All other crops seeds and traits” are reported under Other and the “Vege-
table seeds” business was allocated to our Vegetable Seeds business entity. Due to its relative
size, we no longer report our SeedGrowth business separately, but under Other. Regional report-
ing is not impacted by these changes. The figures for previous reporting periods have been
adjusted accordingly.
A comparison of the Crop Science reporting structure in effect until December 31, 2017, and the
reporting structure in effect since the second quarter of 2018 is shown in the following graphic.
Realigned Crop Science Structure
Reporting structure until Dec. 31, 2017
Reporting structure as of Dec. 31, 2018
A 1.1.2/4
Crop Protection / Seeds
Crop Protection
Herbicides
–
–
Fungicides
Insecticides
SeedGrowth
Seeds
Environmental Science
–
–
Crop Science (total)
–
–
Herbicides
Corn Seed & Traits
Soybean Seed & Traits
Fungicides
Insecticides
–
–
Environmental Science
Vegetable Seeds
Other
Crop Science (total)
The Monsanto business is included in full from the date the acquisition closed. The divestments to
BASF are not included in the figures from the dates the transactions were completed. The report-
ed portfolio effect on the sales of Crop Science (and of the Bayer Group) therefore includes the
contribution from the Monsanto business since June 7, 2018, less the contribution of the divested
businesses to Q3 2017 sales after August 1 and 16, respectively.
28
A Combined Management Report
1.2 Strategy and Management
Bayer Annual Report 2018
1.2 Strategy and Management
Corporate strategy targets long-term profitable growth
Group targets reflect our integrated business approach
Comprehensive range of portfolio, efficiency and structural
measures through 2022
Sustainability management underpins all business activities
1.2.1 Strategy and Targets
Group strategy
The steadily growing and aging global population presents fundamental challenges in health care
and nutrition. How will we feed up to 10 billion people in 2050 while contending with the impact of
climate change? How will we ensure quality of life for an ever-increasing number of elderly people?
These are the challenges that we are looking to address. In line with our corporate purpose
“Science for a better life,” we are driving the development of better medicines and the production
of high-quality food through innovative solutions. We continuously develop our businesses such
that they assume leadership positions in their respective industries and market segments to create
value and achieve long-term success for our company. Our efforts are sustained by our employ-
ees and by our core competencies of innovation, customer focus, quality, process efficiency and
portfolio management.
We are committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In line with our
core competencies, we actively support SDGs 2 and 3: “Good Health and Well-Being” and “Zero
Hunger.”
Portfolio, efficiency and structural measures – Bayer 2022 program
We aim to strengthen our core life science businesses through 2022 by implementing a series of
portfolio, efficiency and structural measures designed to enhance productivity and innovation
while significantly improving competitiveness. Through these measures, we are paving the way for
sustainable business success. The planned portfolio measures include exiting the Animal Health
business and the sun care (Coppertone™) and foot care (Dr. Scholl’s™) product lines, as well as
divesting our 60% interest in Currenta. We also intend to significantly improve cost structures. The
planned efficiency and structural measures are set to include a reduction in internal research and
development capacities at the Pharmaceuticals segment, with the freed-up resources set to be
directed toward strengthening investment in collaborative research models and external innova-
tions. Furthermore, we have decided not to utilize the factor VIII facility constructed in Wuppertal,
Germany, and to focus all recombinant factor VIII production in Berkeley, United States. At the
Consumer Health segment, we will adapt the organizational structure and reduce costs to suc-
ceed in a rapidly changing market environment. At the Crop Science segment, the focus is on
successfully integrating the acquired business and realizing the resulting sales and cost synergies.
The aforementioned efficiency and structural measures also entail the planned reduction of ap-
proximately 12,000 jobs. The changes in the segments and the efforts to streamline the portfolio
will be complemented by extensive adjustments within the company, particularly within the corpo-
rate and supporting functions, Business Services and the country platforms.
Strategies of the Segments
Pharmaceuticals
Demographic change is impacting health care systems through the growing number of chronic
diseases and the increasing occurrence of multiple conditions. In addition, digital technologies have
the potential to transform the way health care is delivered. Examples include telemedicine, artificial
intelligence-driven diagnostic and treatment support, as well as combining computer processing
power with the availability of large data sets to enable personalized testing and treatment.
See also A 1.3
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
29
1.2 Strategy and Management
We are seeking to contribute to medical progress through our focus on researching, developing
and marketing innovative medicines, primarily in the therapeutic areas of cardiology, oncology,
women’s health, hematology and ophthalmology.
Our near- to medium-term growth is being primarily driven by Xarelto™ and Eylea™. It is expected
to be further fueled by several promising late-stage R&D pipeline candidates. To safeguard long-
term growth, we are continuing to invest in research and development (R&D) in areas in which a
substantial need for innovation remains. Moreover, given the continued growth opportunities in
biologics and novel technologies, we are expanding our efforts to access more external innovation
through research collaborations and inlicensing.
We continue to build capabilities in leveraging data, advanced analytics and artificial intelligence to
deliver greater value to patients and customers, and to increase productivity across the pharma-
ceutical value chain from R&D to Medical Affairs, Commercial and Product Supply. One successful
example of our efforts is the digital transformation of Bayer’s production site in Garbagnate, Italy,
which the World Economic Forum in 2018 acknowledged as an advanced digital lighthouse
across industries. The project drives improvements in key production processes and thus ensures
the availability of products for patients.
To improve access to our products in developing and emerging countries (Access to Medicine, or
ATM for short), we have entered into a series of long-term partnerships focusing on aspects such
as the provision of contraceptives and logistics support for both multilateral and bilateral family
planning programs. We work closely with the World Health Organization as part of our endeavors
to combat neglected tropical diseases. As well as making product donations and providing finan-
cial support, Bayer is also involved in the further development of active ingredients.
www.bayer.com/
sustainable-healthcare
Consumer Health
Cost pressure on public health care systems and the growing empowerment of consumers are
increasingly putting the spotlight on the benefits of self-care and point to further long-term growth
of the consumer health market. At the same time, digitalization is reshaping marketing, commer-
cial and business models.
We provide our consumers and customers with the information, knowledge, products and services
they need to take more responsibility for their health, improving their quality of life.
We invest in innovation to reinforce our core brands Claritin™, Aspirin™, Aleve™, Bepanthen™,
Canesten™, Alka-Seltzer™, One A Day™, MiraLAX™, Iberogast™, Elevit™, Redoxon™,
Supradyn™, Berocca™, Rennie™, Afrin™ and others. We are also placing greater focus on
digital marketing and e-commerce, and are enhancing our presence in key markets such as the
United States, Germany, Russia and China, as well as additional countries.
Our strategy moving forward will accelerate our core categories, geographies and the transfer of
prescription medicines and active ingredients to nonprescription status. We will strengthen our
capabilities including digital and insights and drive marketing and sales execution. A new operat-
ing model will enhance consumer and customer-centricity and drive agility, efficiency and con-
sistency in execution.
30
A Combined Management Report
1.2 Strategy and Management
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Crop Science
The world faces enormous challenges including a changing climate, limited natural resources and
a growing population. At the same time, the need for food, animal feed and renewable raw mate-
rials is growing worldwide.
Following our acquisition of Monsanto, we are now the world leader in agriculture. As such, we
are even better positioned to shape agriculture through breakthrough innovation for the benefit of
farmers, consumers and our planet. Our strategy is based on three key elements: innovation,
sustainability and digital transformation.
See also A 1.3
Our industry-leading innovation engine builds on a unique combination of seeds and traits, crop
protection and digital tools. It enables us to deliver more innovation to farmers even more quickly.
We offer tailored solutions to reflect the specific needs of our customers’ farms, crops and soil.
www.bayer.com/foodchain
Crop Science supports farmers in growing healthy, safe and affordable food in a sustainable way.
Together with partners, the global alliance Better Life Farming was launched to provide holistic
and innovative solutions for smallholder farmers in the developing world to enable them to grow
their farms into sustainable businesses. Furthermore, we partner with public and private partners
in numerous sustainability initiatives worldwide.
In the area of digital transformation, we are using the latest technologies and decision science to
take our operations and agriculture to the next level. The Climate Corporation, a subsidiary we
acquired through the Monsanto transaction, plays a key role in this respect. In the field of digital
farming, we work with innovative partners and utilize new technologies, including advanced seed
scripting tools, that combine multiple data sets as we look to support farmers with seed selection,
placement and seeding density, helping them to better reach their farming potential.
Animal Health
The development of the animal health market is primarily driven by a growing global population
and higher average incomes. This leads to higher pet ownership levels and, in the farm animals
segment, to rising meat and dairy consumption – with a corresponding increase in demand for
medicines that effectively and safely protect and treat those animals.
We meet this demand by offering innovative medicines and services. Our promising pipeline is a
key driver for future growth.
In the companion animals business, Animal Health holds a leading position in the global parasiti-
cide segment. We are focusing on maximizing the continued growth of the innovative Seresto™
collar, opening new distribution channels and leveraging the brand equity of our Advantage™
product family.
In the farm animals business, we are commercializing and developing antiparasitics and anti-
infectives. We are continuing to strengthen our customer engagement while also driving cross-
species initiatives, such as the Antibiotic Stewardship Program promoting the responsible
use of antibiotics.
Targets and key performance indicators
Our strategy is aimed at achieving long-term profitable growth balanced with our responsibility for
the environment and society. To advance the consistent implementation of our strategy, we have
set ambitious Group targets.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
31
1.2 Strategy and Management
Bayer Group Financial Targets
Target
Growth and Profitability
Group sales (Fx & portfolio adj. change);
revised forecast in September 2018: more than €39 billion
EBITDA before special items;
revised forecast in September 2018: increase by a low- to mid-single-
digit percentage
Core earnings per share;
revised forecast in October 2018: €5.70 – €5.90
Fx & portfolio adj. = adjusted for currency and portfolio effects
A 1.2.1/1
Target attainment 2018
New target 2019
Increase by 4.5% to €39.6 billion
Increase by 2.8%
€5.94
Increase by approx. 4% to
around €46 billion
Currency-adjusted increase to
approx. €12.2 billion and
margin of around 27%
Currency-adjusted increase to
approx. €6.80
Our nonfinancial targets through 2020 will cease to apply in the current form from the end of 2018
as they pertain only to the Bayer Group excluding the acquired agriculture business. The following
table illustrates the attainment of these targets through the end of 2018. In view of the portfolio
changes, we conducted a new materiality analysis in fall 2018 that will serve as the basis for new,
ambitious Group targets that will be defined in 2019.
See also A 1.2.3
A 1.2.1/2
Nonfinancial Bayer Group Targets (concluded in 2018)
Target
Innovation
Target attainment
1
Group: target adjusted in September 2018: R&D investment of around €4.9 billion (2018)
€5.2 billion
Pharmaceuticals: Transition of nine new molecular entities (NMEs) and one new indication or
one new formulation project into development (2018)
Five NMEs transferred
Consumer Health: Transition of 25 consumer-validated concepts into early development (2018)
40 new concepts transferred
Crop Science: Transfer of three to four new molecular entities (NMEs), plant traits or biologics into
confirmatory technical proof-of-concept field studies
Start of field studies on five
NMEs
Supplier management
Evaluation of all potentially high-risk suppliers with significant Bayer spend (2020)
Development and establishment of a new sustainability standard for our supply base (2020)
100%
Implemented
Resource efficiency
Improvement of 10% in energy efficiency (2020); reference value 2015: 143 kWh / €1,000 external sales
Reduction of 20% in specific greenhouse gas emissions (2020);
reference value 2015: 55.7 kg CO2e / €1,000 external sales
Safety
Reduction of 35% in occupational safety incident rate (Recordable Incident Rate – RIR) (2020);
reference value 2012: 0.50
Reduction of 30% in process and plant safety incidents
(Loss of Primary Containment Incident Rate – LoPC-IR) (2020); reference value 2012: 0.21
Product stewardship
Conclusion of assessment of hazard potential of all substances (> 99%) used in quantities exceeding one
metric ton per annum (2020)
Compliance
Annual compliance training for virtually 100% of Bayer managers
Employees
Continuous improvement in employee satisfaction; reference value 2017: 79%
Increase in the proportion of women in senior management to 35% (2020); reference value 2010: 21%
Increase in the proportion of senior managers from outside the European Union, the United States or Canada
to 25% (2020); reference value 2013: 18%
1 Excluding the acquired agriculture business
126 kWh / €1,000 external
sales (12% improvement)
42.0 kg CO2e / €1,000 external
sales (– 25 %)
RIR 0.36 (– 28%)
LoPC-IR 0.13 (– 38%)
85%
98%
77%
34%
21%
As the table above shows, we already attained our 2020 targets for supplier management, safety
(LoPC-IR) and resource efficiency in 2018. We had also been making good progress in attaining
the other targets. We will generally continue to expand our activities in the target categories in
2019 and report on attainment. However, we will need to fundamentally realign our targets in view
of the integration of the acquired agriculture business and the impact it has on our enterprise.
32
A Combined Management Report
1.2 Strategy and Management
Bayer Annual Report 2018
1.2.2 Management Systems
One of the prime objectives of the Bayer Group is to achieve profitable growth in order to steadily
increase the enterprise value and sustain the company as a going concern. Economic planning
and management for the company takes place within a framework for the segments determined
by the Board of Management in the course of the strategic management process and translated
into specific targets during operational planning. Continuous monitoring of business develop-
ments complements the planning and management process, and key management and perfor-
mance indicators are regularly updated. This process also involves implementing strategic objec-
tives and adopting countermeasures in the event of deviations from the budget. Moreover, the
Board of Management uses targets and performance indicators to steer the company’s sustaina-
ble alignment.
We use the following indicators to plan, manage and monitor the development of our business:
See also A 2.4
Operational management indicators
The main parameters in economic management within the Bayer Group at the operational level are
figures for sales, earnings and capital employed, which therefore also significantly affect short-
term variable compensation.
See also A 2.2.3
and A 2.4
Growth is measured primarily in terms of the change in sales after adjusting for currency and
portfolio effects (Fx & p. adj.) in order to reflect the operational business development of the
Group and the segments. A key measure of profitability at the Group and segment levels is
EBITDA before special items. The EBITDA margin before special items, which is the ratio of
EBITDA before special items to sales, serves as a relative indicator for the internal and external
comparison of operational earning power. Another important profitability indicator for the
Bayer Group is core earnings per share, which is the core net income divided by the weighted
average number of shares.
Strategic value-based indicator: return on capital employed (ROCE)
Return on capital employed (ROCE), which measures the company’s economic success in rela-
tion to the capital employed, supplements the operational management indicators. As a strategic
indicator, ROCE measures the periodic capital return. This can then be compared with the
weighted average cost of capital. If ROCE is greater than the cost of capital, this indicates that a
contribution is being made to increasing the enterprise value, as the expectations of the capital
market have been exceeded. Monitoring ROCE over time supports the analysis of long-term
business development, while comparing ROCE between business areas is a process that aids
portfolio analysis.
1.2.3 Sustainability Management
We safeguard our societal and economic viability through sustainable action. Understood in this
context and as a part of our corporate strategy, sustainability is integrated into our work proce-
dures. We underline our mission as a company that acts sustainably through our commitment to
the U.N. Global Compact and the Responsible Care™ initiative, as well as through our involve-
ment in the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). In our sustainability
reporting we have followed the guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) for many years.
www.bayer.com/unsdg
See also A 1.2.1
Bayer is committed to the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and has published a
company position paper detailing this. Our innovations, products and services contribute to over-
coming some of the biggest global challenges, including the goals of “Zero Hunger” (SDG 2) and
“Good Health and Well-Being” (SDG 3) in particular.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
33
1.2 Strategy and Management
Clearly defined responsibilities and structures
As part of Bayer’s corporate strategy, sustainability is firmly established at Board level. Responsi-
bility for the Group’s sustainable orientation lies with the Board of Management member responsi-
ble for Human Resources, Technology and Sustainability in his role as Chief Sustainability Officer,
and with the Sustainable Development Committee (SDC) under the auspices of the Corporate
Health, Safety & Sustainability function. The SDC sets targets and draws up initiatives, manage-
ment systems and corporate policies, and reviews their implementation. Operational implementa-
tion is effected with the help of nonfinancial targets and performance indicators throughout the
value chain, based on a clear definition of responsibilities in the corporate structure and the identi-
fication of key areas of activity using a materiality analysis. Corporate policies ensure our sustain-
ability principles are firmly established in business operations and are implemented through corre-
sponding management systems, committees and processes. The review and revision of these
regulations and internal audits ensure that our management systems are continuously improved
and aligned to the respective requirements. The operational implementation of sustainability man-
agement in our acquired agriculture business is the responsibility of the Crop Science Division.
www.bayer.com/policies
Structure of Sustainability Management
Sustainability management
Organization
Major areas of activity 2018
Member of the Board of
Management responsible for
Human Resources, Technology
and Sustainability
Corporate Health, Safety
& Sustainability function
Sustainable Development
Committee
Product and process innovation
Access to medicine
Sustainable food supply
Employee relations & development
Business ethics
Product stewardship
Safety
Environmental protection /
resource efficiency
Supplier management
Stakeholder engagement /
partnering
Societal engagement
A 1.2.3/1
GRI 102-47
Steering, measurement and
documentation
Corporate policies on, for example,
– human rights
– compliance
– HSE key requirements
– responsible marketing
Targets / indicators
HSEQ management systems
and audits
Opportunity and risk management
Integrated Annual Report with
independent auditing
Legal requirements such as the CSR Implementation Directive and initiatives
such as WBCSD, GRI, UNGC and Responsible Care
Materiality analysis and areas of activity
We regularly analyze the expectations and requirements of our major stakeholders and compare
these with our own assessment of their relevance for Bayer. This enables us to identify at an early
stage the latest developments along with sustainability-related opportunities and risks, which we
can then incorporate into our strategy. In view of the Monsanto acquisition, we examined our
areas of activity in 2018 (see A 1.2.3/1). Using a comprehensive materiality analysis, we con-
ducted a worldwide survey of external stakeholders with specialist expertise and internal man-
agers from various areas of the company. The areas of activity listed below were identified. These
are to form the basis for a new sustainability strategy and new nonfinancial targets that we shall
present in the course of 2019.
www.bayer.com/
materiality
GRI 102-44
34
A Combined Management Report
1.2 Strategy and Management
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A 1.2.3/2
Results of the Materiality Analysis
Major areas of activity from 2019
Climate protection
Business ethics
Sustainable food supply
Environmental protection
Product stewardship
Access to health care
Innovation
www.bayer.com/areas-
of-activity
www.bayer.com/gri
GRI 102-46
www.bayer.com/value-
creation
GRI 102-42, 102-43
On our sustainability website we include a table showing our areas of activity that are relevant to
this report and as they applied until the end of 2018 with definitions and the corresponding Group
targets and GRI aspects. A detailed GRI content index with the corresponding UNGC principles
can also be found online.
Stakeholder dialogue promotes acceptance and business success
As a company, Bayer is a part of society and of public life. Through open dialogue with our stake-
holders we aim to build trust in our actions, our products and the social value of our services,
because the expectations and viewpoints of our stakeholders affect public acceptance of Bayer
and thus our commercial success. How we create direct financial value for our stakeholders
worldwide with our business activities is shown by the value creation graphic on our sustainability
website.
Stakeholder dialogue helps us to recognize important trends and developments in society and
our markets at an early stage and take this information into account when designing our business.
The integration of various stakeholder groups is planned within the scope of our stakeholder
engagement process. This process also includes monitoring the results of individual dialogue
measures. In strategic decision-making processes such as investment projects and launches of
new products, Bayer approaches key social and political players right from the start of a new
project to canvass their support. The open dialogue makes it possible to identify opportunities and
risks early on. This process is in line with our Stakeholder Engagement Guideline and is supple-
mented by an internal information platform.
GRI 102-40
We fundamentally distinguish four stakeholder groups with which we engage in discussing differ-
ent issues in various dialogue formats.
A 1.2.3/3
Our Most Important Stakeholder Groups
Bayer
Partners
Financial market participants
Social interest groups
Regulators
Customers
Suppliers
Employees
Associations
Universities / schools
Investors
Banks
Rating agencies
General public
NGOs
Local communities
Competitors
Lawmakers
Politicians
Authorities
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
35
1.2 Strategy and Management
Diverse stakeholders in focus
Our stakeholder engagement process describes how the expectations of our stakeholders can
be taken into account in a specific project, for example, and dialogue with them steered. We
regularly review the engagement process based on social trends.
GRI 102-43
Stakeholder Engagement Process
A 1.2.3/4
Preparation
Analysis /
adjustment
Identifi-
cation
Interaction
Charac-
terization
Strategy
development
Prioritization
Clustering
Collaboration formats aimed at specific target groups
Our regular stakeholder activities range from dialogue at local, national and international level
and active involvement in committees and specialist workshops all the way through to compre-
hensive information programs, issue-related multi-stakeholder events and participation in inter-
national initiatives and collaborations.
GRI 102-43
The selected topics described below provide insights into our engagement with respect to our
most important stakeholder groups. We always focus on a fact-based dialogue.
As part of the process of acquiring and integrating the agriculture business, we held wide-
ranging talks with representatives of nearly all our stakeholder groups in 2018. Examples in-
cluded the Capital Markets Day for investors and a Bayer AG parliamentary evening as well as
intensive media relations work including joint interviews with a Bayer executive manager and a
critic in leading publications (e.g. Board of Management member Liam Condon and Robert
Habeck, head of Germany’s Green Party, in the German magazine Capital).
GRI 102-44
Our approaches for addressing the glyphosate debate included launching a transparency initia-
tive and publishing safety studies; participating in topic-specific talks around the world (Liam
Condon at the World Food Convention, for instance); and creating an online platform to answer
questions about glyphosate, crop protection, agriculture and genetic engineering.
GRI 102-44
In the political realm, we conducted discussions with political decision-makers, and collaborat-
ed in specialist committees and cooperation projects. Active participation by Bayer in political
decision-making processes is explicitly sought by the key players involved. The company’s
Public and Governmental Affairs Committee develops the principles for the alignment of Bayer’s
political lobbying. In 2018, Bayer’s global lobbying work focused on the issues of “innovation,”
“access,” “reputation” and “freedom to operate.”
GRI 102-44
www.bayer.com/pol-
involvement
36
A Combined Management Report
1.2 Strategy and Management
Bayer Annual Report 2018
GRI 102-43
www.forwardfarming.com
www.bayer.com/foodchain
We prioritize being a reliable partner that is aware of its societal responsibility toward the com-
munities adjacent to our sites. To this end – at our production sites in particular – we maintain
open dialogue between local management and community members, which is supported by
the respective country organization. This dialogue includes personal discussions with residents,
citizens’ initiatives, representatives of religious communities and the regional press. This com-
munity dialogue is anchored in a globally valid corporate policy on site management.
In 2018, our everyday business once again included dialogue with our customers – especially
with respect to their satisfaction with our products and services. In this context, our segments
navigate very different regulatory frameworks. As a consequence, direct contact between
Pharmaceuticals or Consumer Health and the respective customer environment, and especially
patients, is regulated in very different ways for each segment. With regard to the collection of
customer satisfaction data, different legal requirements apply for prescription medicines from
Pharmaceuticals than for nonprescription medicines, for example. The primary market research
and data research that must be conducted, including systematic internet analysis, strictly ad-
here to the legal requirements, which can vary significantly depending on the market. At Crop
Science, customer-centricity is achieved throughout the value chain by way of the 500-plus
projects of the food chain partnerships, for example, or through direct cooperation with farm-
ers, as demonstrated by the Bayer ForwardFarms. These programs emphasize innovative crop
solutions and services for sustainable agriculture.
www.bayer.com/en/
stakeholder-dialogue.aspx
For more information on dialogue with stakeholders, please refer to the chapters Investor
Information, Employees (Communication at all levels), Procurement and Supplier Management
(Training measures and dialogue on the issue of sustainability), Sustainability Management
(International Initiatives), Societal Engagement (Universities / Schools) and Product Stewardship
(Commitment); see also our sustainability website.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
37
1.3 Focus on Innovation
1.3 Focus on Innovation
Merger of the research activities of Bayer and Monsanto establishes
foundation for breakthrough innovations in the agriculture industry
Joint precision cardiology laboratory opened at the Broad Institute
in Boston; oncology portfolio strengthened by registration of
larotrectinib (tradename: Vitrakvi™) in the United States, the first
treatment with an initial registration in a tumor-agnostic indication
Synthetic biology joint venture Joyn Bio commences operations to
improve nitrogen fixation in agriculture
Social innovations in Africa – driven by collaborations with the
myAgro and One Acre Fund social enterprises
Innovations – which we define as new solutions that generate added value for our customers and
society – are a cornerstone of our Group strategy. Our activities focus on innovative products
based on our strong research and development (R&D) competencies supplemented with targeted
process, service and business model innovations.
Our innovations help us contribute to solving global challenges in medical care and food security.
In addition to the strong innovative capabilities of our employees throughout the company, our
efforts concentrate on excellence in research and development, a broad open innovation network,
and the use of new, groundbreaking technologies and data science findings.
By merging our innovative crop protection with Monsanto’s globally leading plant biotechnology
and breeding R&D activities, we are establishing the foundation for breakthrough innovations in
the agriculture industry.
Breakthrough
innovations:
see Glossary
To further develop the innovation expertise of the entire organization, we have trained more than
1,000 employees in modern methods such as Systematic Inventive Thinking, Design Thinking and
Lean Start-up since these training programs began in 2016. We have also established an agile,
worldwide, cross-segment and cross-functional network of more than 700 innovation coaches
and over 80 innovation ambassadors to help our employees develop and drive forward new ideas
and projects. An established online platform enables all employees to find information about new
innovation trends and current projects as well as globally interconnect and exchange with each
other on innovation topics. In addition, selected innovations are advanced in a cross-segment
entrepreneurship program. Our innovation activities were internationally honored once again in
2018: Boston Consulting Group ranks Bayer among the world’s 50 most innovative companies.
Excellence in research and development
Bayer’s success has always been based on excellence in research and development. The R&D
activities we pursue are aligned with the innovation strategies of our segments to improve human,
animal and plant health. We are increasingly employing data science methods in all our R&D ac-
tivities and bolstering our scientists’ expertise with targeted data science learning programs.
See the following
subsections for
further details
Bayer maintains a global network of R&D locations, which employ roughly 17,300 researchers.
In 2018, our research and development investments increased by a nominal 16.5% to
€5,246 million.
Bayer AG key data:
see also A 1.7
38
A Combined Management Report
1.3 Focus on Innovation
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A 1.3/1
Information on Research and Development in 2018
Pharmaceuticals
1
Consumer Health
Crop Science
Animal Health
Reconciliation
Total
R&D expenses
€ million
R&D expenses
before special items
€ million
Share of R&D
expenses
%
R&D expenses
before special items
% of sales
R&D employees
FTE
2017
2,888
240
2018
2017
2,893
2,724
226
228
2018
2,589
221
1,166
1,950
1,120
1,856
155
55
143
34
145
55
141
33
4,504
5,246
4,272
4,840
2017
64.1
5.3
25.9
3.4
1.2
100
2018
55.1
4.3
37.2
2.7
0.6
100
2017
16.2
3.9
11.7
9.2
4.7
12
2018
2017
15.5
8,138
4.1
368
2018
7,924
346
13.0
5,174
8,526
9.4
2.0
12
333
28
440
39
14,041
17,275
1 The 2018 R&D costs for Pharmaceuticals include income of approximately €190 million from a Xarelto™ development collaboration with Janssen Research &
Development, LLC, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson.
www.innovate.bayer.
com
Global open innovation network
Partnerships are integral to our innovation strategy. We enter into strategic alliances with various
partners such as universities, governmental agencies, start-ups, suppliers and industry. This gives
us access to complementary technologies and expertise that substantially broaden our spectrum
for innovation.
Our open innovation network spans all parts of the company along the value chain, with our
open innovation portal offering a platform for collaborations. We further extended our open
innovation activities again in 2018. Measures included launching another incubator for biotech
start-ups in Kobe, Japan (CoLaborator™ Kobe) and expanding our collaboration with the Broad
Institute in Boston through the establishment of a joint laboratory for cardiovascular research.
Furthermore, we invest in funds that finance start-up companies in the life science industry, such
as High-Tech Gründerfonds III. The Monsanto acquisition also included the Monsanto Venture
Capital Unit, which now operates as Bayer Growth Ventures. The aim here is to provide initial
capital to start-ups in the life science sector. In the field of social innovation, we have launched
partnerships with the myAgro and One Acre Fund social enterprises to support farmers in Africa.
Details of our open innovation activities can be found below and in the specific innovation sections
for the respective segments.
CoLaborator™ in Kobe, Japan
Following the establishment of Bayer CoLaborator™ in Berlin, San Francisco, Moscow and
West Sacramento, a further research incubator was founded in Kobe, Japan, in 2018. This
makes Bayer the first foreign company active in the pharmaceuticals business to operate such a
research facility in Japan. We offer young life science companies excellent research and devel-
opment collaboration opportunities at the Biomedical Innovation Cluster in Kobe. Two companies
– Epigeneron, Inc. and Myoridge Co. Ltd. – have already set up laboratories there and are devel-
oping technologies to identify drug-target interactions and the production of ultrapure cardiac
muscle cells respectively.
High-Tech Gründerfonds
For Bayer, start-ups are important partners in the innovation ecosystem that help propel us
toward our goal of developing new solutions in the fields of health care and nutrition. Following our
investment in High-Tech Gründerfonds II, our company also joined High-Tech Gründerfonds III in
2018 and is focusing here on innovative start-ups in biotechnology and production technologies.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
39
1.3 Focus on Innovation
Social innovation is
an element of our
societal engagement
(see A 1.4.3).
www.leaps.bayer.com
Social innovations in Africa
Bayer is engaging in targeted partnerships to support innovative ideas and business models that
help improve living conditions in developing countries. In 2018, Crop Science entered into part-
nerships with the myAgro social enterprise in Mali and with the One Acre Fund in Kenya, which
supports smallholders in East Africa. The myAgro model enables smallholder farmers who do not
have a bank account or access to credit to save small amounts via a prepaid model. At the start
of the planting season, high-quality seed and fertilizer are supplied to the farmers, even those in
remote villages. This enables small farms – which are usually worked by the families themselves –
to increase their yields by 50 to 100 percent on average.
Bayer invests in breakthrough innovations
Another key tool for achieving our strategic goals is the use of groundbreaking technologies.
Access to these technologies is facilitated by Leaps by Bayer, a new innovation and collaboration
model with locations in Berlin, Boston and San Francisco. This program aims to discover break-
through innovations in health care (for example in relation to the regeneration of damaged cardiac
muscle and / or brain cells to repair tissue damage following myocardial infarctions or to cure neu-
rodegenerative diseases) and nutrition (for example to significantly reduce fertilizer use in farming).
We have invested a total of approximately €600 million in start-ups and collaborations so far.
Via Leaps by Bayer, we have established the Joyn Bio joint venture together with Ginkgo Bioworks.
This joint venture commenced research operations in Boston, Massachusetts, in March 2018
and also operates laboratories in West Sacramento, California. These activities seek to boost the
agriculture industry’s efforts to improve sustainability, for example by reducing the environmental
impact of nitrogen fertilizers with the help of novel synthetic biology methods. The program will
initially focus on cereals that can use soil microbes to satisfy most of their nitrogen requirements.
Furthermore, we use our Life Science Collaboration Program to make cross-divisional assess-
ments of innovations in the fields of biology and technology, such as developments in the areas of
gene editing and artificial intelligence.
Patents protect Bayer’s intellectual property
Reliable global protection of intellectual property rights is particularly important for an innovation
company like Bayer. In most cases, it would be impossible to cover the high costs incurred in the
research and development of innovative products without this protection. We are therefore com-
mitted worldwide to protecting both the international patent system and our own intellectual prop-
erty. Depending on the legal framework, we endeavor to obtain patent protection for our products
and technologies in major markets. When we successfully market patent-protected products, this
enables us to reinvest the profits in sustainable research and development.
Patent terms vary according to the laws of the country granting the patent, but the basic term is
usually 20 years from the filing date of a patent application. Since it takes an average of 11 to 13
years to develop a new medicine or crop protection active ingredient, only seven to nine years of
patent protection generally remain following the product’s approval. The same applies to the de-
velopment of a new transgenic trait. In an attempt to nevertheless provide an adequate incentive
to make the necessary major investments in research and development, the European Union
(E.U.) member states, the United States, Japan and some other countries extend patent terms or
issue supplementary protection certificates to compensate for the shortening of the effective pa-
tent protection period due to regulatory approval processes for new drugs. For the same reason,
some countries also grant such extended patent terms for new crop protection products, but not
for transgenic traits.
40
A Combined Management Report
1.3 Focus on Innovation
Bayer Annual Report 2018
The following table shows the expiration dates for Bayer’s most significant Pharmaceuticals
patents:
Pharmaceuticals Patent Expiration Dates
A 1.3/2
Market
Products
Adempas™
Germany
France
Italy
Switzer-
land
Spain
U.K.
China
Japan
Brazil Canada
U.S.A.
Active ingredient
2028
2028
2028
2028
2028
2028e
2023
2027-
2028d
2023b
2023
2026e
Production process /
intermediate
Eylea™
2030
2030
2030
2030
2030
2030
2030
2030
2030b
2030
2030
Active ingredient
2025
2025
2025
2025
2025
2025e
2020
Formulation
2027
2027
2027
2027
2027
2027
2027b
Jivi™
Active ingredient
2025
2025
2025
2025
2025
2025
2025
Formulation
Kogenate™
Formulation
Kovaltry™
Formulation
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Production process
2018
2018
2018
2018
2018
2018
2018
2021-
2023d
2028-
2029d
2025a
2020
2020b
2020
2027b
2027
–
–
2025b
2025a
2025a
2020
–
–
–
–
–
–
2018
2021e
2020
2020
2023e
2023e
2020
2023
Production process
(cell line / chaperone)
Mirena™
Inserter
Nexavar™
2029e
2024a
2029e
–
2024a
2024a
–
2028e
–
2024
2024
2029
2029
2029
2029
2029
2029
2029
2029
2029b
2029
2031
Active ingredient
Salt form
2021
2022
2021
2022
2021
2022
2021
2022
2021
2022
2021
2022
2020
-
Polymorph
2025
2025
2025
2025
2025
2025
2025
Formulation
Stivarga™
Active ingredient
Monohydrate form
Formulation
Production process
Coated tablet
Xarelto™
2026
2026
2026
2026
2026
2026
2026
2028
2027
2025
2031
2033
2028
2027
2025
2031
2033
2028
2027
2025
2031
2033
2028
2027
2025
2031
2033
2028
2027
2025
2031
2033
2024a
2027
2025
2031
2033
2024
2027
2025
2031
2033b
Active ingredient
2023
2023
2023
2023
2023
2023
2020
Formulation
2024
2024
2024
2024
2024
2024
2024
2021-
2025d
-
2025-
2026d
2026-
2027d
2026d
2027d
2026d
2031f
2033b
2022-
2025d
2025-
2028d
2025
2020
2020
-
-
-
2025b
2025
2027
2026b
2026
2028e
2028c
2027b
2025b
2031b
2033b
2024
2027
2025
2031
2033b
2031
2032
2031
2031f
2033b
2022
2020
2024
2028c
2024
2024
Xofigo™
Use
Production process
2024
2031
2024
2031
2024
2031
2024
2031
2024
2031
2024
2031
2019
2031
2022e
2031
–
2031b
2019
2031
2022
2031
a Current expiration date; patent term extension applied for
b Patent application pending
c Patent term revised
d Application-specific term extension(s)
e Patent term extension granted
f Separate claims granted for high-purity active ingredient
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
41
1.3 Focus on Innovation
Crop Science regularly applies for patent protection for its new crop protection active ingredients
as well as for protection for inventions related to its manufacturing processes, innovative mixtures,
formulations and uses. Additionally, we routinely obtain patent protection and / or plant variety
protection for our seeds, genomics-related products and processes, breeding technology, and
commercial varietal and hybrid seed products. Therefore, in the Crop Science area where prod-
ucts often combine multiple technologies – each separately patented in different areas of the
world, with patents often granted only late in the product lifecycle – the link between patents and
products is more complex than at Pharmaceuticals.
Although the patents have already expired for some of our crop protection active ingredients, such
as glyphosate, trifloxystrobin, prothioconazole1 or imidacloprid, we have a portfolio of patents on
formulations, mixtures and / or manufacturing processes for these active ingredients. Additionally,
some of our younger active ingredients such as fluopyram and bixafen are still patent-protected in
the United States, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Canada and other countries until
at least 2023. In fact, fluopyram, for example, is patent-protected until 2024 in the United States
and 2025 in Brazil.2 While our patent coverage on the first-generation Roundup Ready™ trait for
soybeans has expired, most Roundup Ready™ soybeans in the U.S. are protected by patents
covering specific varieties. In addition, most of our customers and licensees are choosing our
second-generation Roundup Ready 2 Yield™ trait for soybeans with patent coverage that extends
into the next decade. In Brazil and Argentina, farmers are increasingly adopting our next-
generation Intacta RR2 PRO soybean that also has patent coverage extending into the next dec-
ade. Patents on our next-generation herbicide trait which confers dicamba tolerance extend into
the next decade. In corn seed and traits, patent coverage on our first-generation YieldGard trait
has expired. However, most farmers have already upgraded to next-generation branded corn traits
with patent coverage extending into the next decade.
Pharmaceuticals
Pharmaceuticals focuses on indications with high medical need in the areas of cardiovascular
disease, oncology, gynecology, hematology and ophthalmology. We conduct research and devel-
opment at several locations, mainly in Germany, the United States, Japan, China, Finland and
Norway.
Bayer worldwide;
see also A 1.1.2/3
Promising new molecular entities from our research pipeline are transferred to preclinical devel-
opment. We define a new molecular entity (NME) as a chemical or biological substance that is not
yet approved for use in humans. In preclinical development, these substances are examined fur-
ther in various models with respect to their suitability for clinical trials and the associated “first-in-
humans” studies.
In 2018, we developed a new strategy for our global research and development organization that
will boost our innovation potential and productivity. Aimed at producing quality rather than quanti-
ty, the strategy focuses on a deeper understanding of diseases, better characterization of product
candidates and modality-independent approaches to improve the technical success rate.
Our more intensive characterization of product candidates led to a shift in our schedule in 2018.
We transferred five new active ingredients to preclinical development instead of nine new active
ingredients and one new indication or one new formulation project as had been originally planned.
Future active ingredient candidates will come from internal research, collaborations and purely
external sources. On the basis of our throughput model, we expect that five to seven active ingre-
dients will be transferred to development each year following full implementation of the innovation
model.
1 Last to expire for prothioconazole are the Supplementary Protection Certificates in several European countries expiring in 2019 and
in some CIS countries in 2020.
2 Patent protection without considering any patent term extension or Supplementary Protection Certificate protection
42
A Combined Management Report
1.3 Focus on Innovation
Bayer Annual Report 2018
We conducted clinical trials with several drug candidates from our research and development
pipeline in 2018. We strengthened products that were already on the market through additional
development activities to further improve their application and / or expand their spectrum of indica-
tions.
Clinical trials are an essential tool for determining the efficacy and safety of new drugs before they
can be used to diagnose or treat diseases. The benefits and risks of new medicinal products must
always be scientifically proven and well documented. All clinical trials at Bayer satisfy strict inter-
national guidelines and quality standards, as well as the respective applicable national laws and
standards.
Bayer also publishes information about clinical trials in line with the applicable national laws and
according to the principles of the European (EFPIA) and U.S. (PhRMA) pharmaceutical industry
associations, these principles being defined in position papers.
www.bayer.com/ethics-
in-rnd
Information about our own clinical trials can be found in the publicly accessible register
www.ClinicalTrials.gov and our own Trial Finder database. Further information on our globally uni-
form standards, the monitoring of studies and the role of the ethics committees can be found
on the internet.
Progress in Phase II clinical projects
The following table shows our most important drug candidates currently in Phase II clinical testing
projects.
A 1.3/3
Research and Development Projects (Phase II)
1
Projects
BAY 1093884 (anti-TFPI antibody)
Fulacimstat (BAY 1142524, chymase inhibitor)
BAY 1193397 (AR alpha 2c rec ant.)
BAY 1213790 (anti-FXIa antibody)
BAY 1817080 (P2X3 antagonist)
BAY 2253651 (TASK channel blocker)
BAY 2306001 (IONIS-FXIRx)
2
Levonorgestrel (progestin) + indomethacin (NSAID) combi IUS
Rogaratinib (pan-FGFR inhibitor)
Vericiguat (sGC stimulator)
Vilaprisan (S-PRM)
Indication
Hemophilia
Chronic kidney disease
Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
Prevention of thrombosis
Chronic cough
Obstructive sleep apnea
Prevention of thrombosis
Contraception
Urothelial cancer
Chronic heart failure with preserved (HFpEF) ejection fraction
Endometriosis
1 As of January 31, 2019
2 Sponsored by Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
The nature of drug discovery and development is such that not all compounds can be expected to meet the predefined project goals. It is possible that any or all of
the projects listed above may have to be discontinued due to scientific and / or commercial reasons and will not result in commercialized products. It is also possible
that the requisite U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), European Medicines Agency (EMA) or other regulatory approvals will not be granted for these compounds.
Moreover, we regularly review our research and development pipeline so that we can give priority to advancing the most promising pharmaceuticals projects.
Below are the most significant changes that occurred in 2018 compared with the previous year:
The Phase II study with copanlisib in patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lym-
phoma (DLBCL), an aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), was concluded. A Phase III
study in this indication is not currently planned.
The Phase II studies in which the angiopoietin2 (Ang2) antibody nesvacumab was tested in combi-
nation with aflibercept (tradename: Eylea™) in comparison with aflibercept monotherapy were con-
cluded. The results of these studies do not justify proceeding to Phase III of clinical development.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
43
1.3 Focus on Innovation
Based on the results of a Phase II trial investigating anetumab ravtansine as a second-line mono-
therapy for malignant mesothelioma, which failed to meet its primary endpoint of progression-free
survival, we will not pursue any further studies in this indication. Anetumab ravtansine will continue
to be investigated in other indications in Phase I studies.
In September 2018, the development of the oral AKR1C3 inhibitor to treat endometriosis was
discontinued ahead of schedule due to an unfavorable benefit-risk profile.
Also in September 2018, the development of neladenoson bialanate, an oral partial adenosine A1
receptor agonist, was discontinued. Phase II studies involving cardiac insufficiency patients did
not reach their primary efficacy endpoints.
Bayer and Merck & Co., Inc., United States, decided in October 2018 to not pursue riociguat any
further in the indication diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis. A Phase II study in this indication did
not meet its primary endpoint.
Likewise in October 2018, following an interim analysis of available clinical data to date, Bayer
decided to not further pursue the development of radium-223 dichloride in breast cancer.
In November 2018, Bayer decided to halt the combined Phase I / Phase II study of radium-223
dichloride in the indication multiple myeloma for strategic reasons.
In December 2018, Bayer decided to halt development of the chymase inhibitor fulacimstat in the
indication left ventricular dysfunction after myocardial infarction after a Phase II study failed to
reach the efficacy endpoints. Development of fulacimstat in the indication chronic kidney disease
will continue unchanged.
Progress in Phase III clinical projects
The following table shows our most important drug candidates currently in Phase III clinical testing
projects:
A 1.3/4
Research and Development Projects (Phase III)
1
Projects
Copanlisib (PI3K inhibitor)
Darolutamide (ODM-201, AR antagonist)
Darolutamide (ODM-201, AR antagonist)
Finerenone (MR antagonist)
Molidustat (HIF-PH inhibitor)
Rivaroxaban (FXa inhibitor)
Rivaroxaban (FXa inhibitor)
Vericiguat (sGC stimulator)
2
Vilaprisan (S-PRM)
Indication
Various forms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)
Castration-resistant nonmetastatic prostate cancer
Hormone-sensitive metastatic prostate cancer
Diabetic kidney disease
Renal anemia
Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
VTE treatment in children
Chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF)
Symptomatic uterine fibroids
1 As of January 31, 2019
2 Sponsored by Merck & Co., Inc., U.S.A.
The nature of drug discovery and development is such that not all compounds can be expected to meet the predefined project goals. It is possible that any or
all of the projects listed above may have to be discontinued due to scientific and / or commercial reasons and will not result in commercialized products. It is also
possible that the requisite U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), European Medicines Agency (EMA) or other regulatory approvals will not be granted for these
compounds. Moreover, we regularly review our research and development pipeline so that we can give priority to advancing the most promising pharmaceuticals
projects.
Below are the most significant changes that occurred in 2018 compared with the previous year:
Bayer and the U.S. study network NSABP (National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project)
decided to discontinue ahead of schedule a Phase III clinical study investigating the active
substance regorafenib as an adjuvant therapy in colon carcinoma due to an insufficient number
of participants.
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In March 2018, Bayer and MSD International GmbH, a Group company of Merck & Co., Inc., de-
cided to discontinue the joint development and commercialization of Sivextro™ (active ingredient:
tedizolid phosphate) to treat infections of the skin and subcutaneous tissue.
At the ESC (European Society of Cardiology) congress in Munich in August 2018, Bayer and de-
velopment partner Janssen Research & Development, LLC, United States, presented the results of
the clinical Phase III COMMANDER HF and MARINER trials conducted by Janssen investigating
the oral Factor Xa inhibitor rivaroxaban (tradename: Xarelto™).
The COMMANDER HF trial investigated whether, when administered additionally to the standard
therapy, rivaroxaban reduces the risk of cardiovascular events in coronary heart disease patients
following acute worsening of heart failure. The data showed a numerical reduction in stroke and
myocardial infarction events in patients treated with rivaroxaban, but this was outweighed by the
high rate of death events in both study arms, many of which were not related to thrombosis, con-
tributing to a failure to achieve the primary endpoint of the study. Work in this indication will not be
continued.
The MARINER trial investigated whether rivaroxaban is superior to placebo in the prevention of
symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) and VTE-related death after hospital discharge for
acutely medical ill patients at high risk of VTE. While the composite primary efficacy endpoint was
not achieved, the evaluation showed a reduction of symptomatic VTE events. The major bleeding
events rate with rivaroxaban was low and not significantly different compared with placebo.
In October 2018, the Phase III ARAMIS trial investigating the safety and efficacy of darolutamide
in patients with nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer met its primary endpoint. The
substance significantly extended metastasis-free survival compared to placebo, and its safety
profile and tolerability were consistent with observations from previous trials. Darolutamide is a
novel androgen receptor antagonist for the oral treatment of prostate cancer that is being devel-
oped jointly by Bayer and the Finnish bio-pharmaceutical company Orion Corporation. The
ARASENS trial is currently being conducted in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer.
On the basis of the results of the Phase III ERA-223 trial, Bayer decided to halt work in this indica-
tion (use of radium-223 dichloride in combination with abiraterone acetate and prednisone / pred-
nisolone). Bayer had prematurely unblinded the trial in 2017 following reports of an elevated risk of
bone fractures and reduced median overall survival in patients treated with this combination. The
European, Japanese and U.S. health authorities have concluded their review of the data from the
ERA-223 trial and confirmed that, overall, the risk-benefit profile of Xofigo™ (radium-223 dichlo-
ride) remains positive in the approved indication, subject to the required changes to the respective
labeling. The results of the ERA-223 trial were presented at the ESMO (European Society for
Medical Oncology) Congress in October 2018.
In November 2018, researchers observed anomalies in animal studies involving vilaprisan. The aim
of these studies was to investigate the safety of vilaprisan in long-term use. Vilaprisan is a devel-
opment candidate that Bayer is developing for the treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids and
endometriosis. Although the findings are preliminary and preclinical – and were not observed in
other vilaprisan studies – Bayer has decided as a precaution to not recruit any additional patients
to the ongoing Phase II and Phase III clinical studies until the findings have been thoroughly ana-
lyzed and understood. We have notified health authorities, ethics committees and trial investiga-
tors about the preliminary findings. We will coordinate any consequent modifications to our ongo-
ing clinical development program with health authorities and ethics committees.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
45
1.3 Focus on Innovation
Filings and approvals
We regularly evaluate our research and development pipeline in order to prioritize the most prom-
ising pharmaceutical projects. Following the completion of the required studies with a number of
these drug candidates, we submitted applications to one or more regulatory agencies for approv-
als or approval expansions. The most important drug candidates in the approval process are
shown below.
Main Products Submitted for Approval
1
A 1.3/5
Projects
Rivaroxaban (FXa inhibitor)
2
Rivaroxaban (FXa inhibitor)
2
Indication
U.S.A.: Secondary prophylaxis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS),
rivaroxaban in combination with dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT),
ATLAS trial
U.S.A.: Prevention of venous thromboembolism in high-risk
patients after discharge from hospital
Larotrectinib (LOXO-101, TRK fusion inhibitor)
3 Europe: Solid tumors with NTRK gene fusions
1 As of January 31, 2019
2 Submitted by Janssen Research & Development, LLC
3 Loxo Oncology, Inc., is responsible for regulatory activities in the United States and Bayer for regulatory activities outside the
United States.
In February 2018, Eylea™ (active ingredient: aflibercept solution for injection into the eye) was
approved by the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) for the treatment of visual impair-
ment due to diabetic macular edema.
In May 2018, Eylea™ was approved by the Chinese regulatory authorities for the treatment of
visual impairment due to neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration.
In July 2018, Kovaltry™ (active ingredient: octocog alfa) was approved by the Chinese regulatory
authorities for use in adults and children with hemophilia A for routine prophylaxis, on-demand
treatment and perioperative management of bleeding. Kovaltry™ is an unmodified recombinant
Factor VIII product.
In August 2018, the European Commission approved a new treatment approach for Eylea™ that
enables early extension of the injection interval for patients with neovascular age-related macular
degeneration already in the first year of treatment. The new regimen allows clinicians to extend
patients’ individual injection intervals based on visual and / or anatomic outcomes.
Likewise in August 2018, the European Commission approved a combination of Xarelto™
(rivaroxaban) 2.5 mg twice daily plus acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) 75 to 100 mg once daily for the
prevention of atherothrombotic events in adults with coronary artery disease (CAD) or sympto-
matic peripheral artery disease (PAD) at high risk for ischemic events. The U.S. FDA approved
the combination in October 2018.
In November 2018, the European Commission approved damoctocog alfa pegol (tradename:
Jivi™) for the treatment and prophylaxis of bleeding in adults and adolescents aged 12 years and
older who have been previously treated for hemophilia A. Prior to that, Jivi™ had been approved
by the United States in August 2018 and by Japan in September 2018.
Likewise in November 2018, larotrectinib (tradename: Vitrakvi™) was approved in the United
States for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with solid tumors that have a neurotrophic
receptor tyrosine kinase (NTRK) gene fusion without a known acquired resistance mutation. The
approval also applies to patients with tumors with an NTRK gene fusion that are either metastatic
or where surgical resection is likely to result in severe morbidity, and for patients who have no
satisfactory alternative treatments or whose cancer has progressed following treatment. The ac-
tive substance larotrectinib was designed to specifically block the signaling pathway responsible
for tumor growth. In August 2018, Bayer filed an application seeking approval of larotrectinib in
the European Union as well.
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In December 2018, our development partner Janssen Research & Development filed in the
United States for approval of XareltoTM for prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in high-
risk patients. The decision to file for approval was based on data from the Phase III MAGELLAN
study supported by data from the MARINER study. Both studies evaluated the efficacy of
Xarelto™ for the prevention of VTE in patients during hospitalization and immediately after dis-
charge from hospital.
Collaborations
We augment our own research capacities through collaborations and strategic alliances with
external industrial and academic research partners. In this way we gain access to complemen-
tary technologies and external innovation potential.
See also A 1.3
“Global open innovation
network”
In June 2018, Bayer and the MD Anderson Cancer Center at the University of Texas in Houston,
United States, signed a five-year collaboration agreement to accelerate the development of novel
targeted treatments for cancer patients based on patient or tumor characteristics for which cur-
rent drug therapies have not shown satisfactory clinical efficacy.
Also in June 2018, Bayer and the Broad Institute of the U.S. universities MIT and Harvard ex-
panded their strategic research collaboration for the development of new therapies for patients
with cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure. Researchers from the Broad Institute and
Bayer are working together in a joint Precision Cardiology Laboratory at the Broad Institute in
Boston. The collaboration is focused on better understanding cardiovascular diseases on a
molecular level and developing new therapies for patients.
In August 2018, Bayer and Haplogen GmbH, Austria, entered into a multiyear research collabora-
tion agreement to identify new drug candidates for the treatment of pulmonary diseases such as
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Within the context of their collaboration, Bayer
and Haplogen will jointly identify and research new potential drug candidates. Bayer will be re-
sponsible for subsequently developing and commercializing any suitable drug candidates.
In January 2019, Bayer and Kyoto University agreed on a strategic research alliance to jointly
identify new drug targets for the treatment of pulmonary diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary
fibrosis. The goal of the research alliance is to identify specific targets and pathways that are
causing the disease and to discover new treatments to modulate these pathways and prevent
further lung function decline. Bayer will have an option for the exclusive use of the collaboration
results.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
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47
1.3 Focus on Innovation
The following table shows examples of the main R&D collaborations.
A 1.3/6
Main Collaborations
Partner
Broad Institute
Collaboration objective
Strategic partnership to research and develop new therapeutic options in the fields of
cardiovascular medicine and oncology and establishment of a joint research laboratory
Compugen Ltd.
Research and development of new immunotherapy approaches in oncology
German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)
Strategic partnership to research and develop new therapeutic options in oncology, especially in
immunotherapy, and establishment of a joint research laboratory
Evotec AG
Haplogen GmbH
Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Janssen Research & Development,
LLC of Johnson & Johnson
Kyoto University
Loxo Oncology, Inc.
Collaboration to identify development candidates for the treatment of endometriosis and kidney
diseases
Research collaboration in the field of pulmonary diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD)
Development of the antisense drug IONIS-FXIRx for thrombosis prevention and development of
IONIS-FXI-LRx in the preclinical phase
Development and marketing of Xarelto™ (rivaroxaban) for the treatment of coagulation disorders
Research alliance to identify new therapeutic approaches for pulmonary diseases
Development and marketing of larotrectinib (LOXO-101, tradename Vitrakvi™) for the treatment
of cancer patients with a mutation of the TRK gene and LOXO-195 for the treatment of patients
with cancer types that have acquired resistance to initial TRK therapies such as larotrectinib
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Development collaboration in oncology
Merck & Co., Inc.
Orion Corporation
Peking University
PeptiDream Inc.
Development and marketing collaboration in the field of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC)
modulation
Development and marketing of darolutamide (previously ODM-201) for the treatment of patients
with prostate cancer
Research collaboration and establishment of a research center for joint projects
Active ingredient research in various therapeutic areas and target classes with the help of
PeptiDream’s Peptide Discovery Platform System Technology
Tsinghua University
Research collaboration and establishment of a research center for joint projects
Ultragenyx Pharmaceuticals
Research and development of a novel gene therapy for the treatment of hemophilia A
University of Oxford
Strategic research partnership to develop novel gynecological therapies
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Strategic research alliance to identify and develop new potential active ingredients for the
treatment of kidney diseases
Wilmer Eye Institute of Johns Hopkins
University
Research and development of innovative drug products to treat serious back-of-the-eye
diseases
X-Chem, Inc.
Active ingredient research in various therapeutic areas and target classes
Bayer worldwide;
see also A 1.1.2/3
Consumer Health
At Consumer Health, we concentrate on developing new nonprescription (OTC) products and
solutions that improve consumer health and well-being in the areas of pain and cardiovascular risk
prevention, dermatology, nutritional supplements, digestive health, allergy, cough and cold, foot
care and sun protection. The focus lies on product developments that are aligned to the desires
and needs of consumers. Our innovations range from new product formulations and packaging to
technical applications and medical devices. In addition, we developed around 40 new consumer-
validated concepts in 2018, thus exceeding our target. Consumer Health maintains a global net-
work of research and development facilities, with sites in the United States, France, Germany and
China. A further important part of our innovation strategy is transitioning current prescription med-
icines that are suitable for self-care to OTC status (Rx-to-OTC switches). In the United States,
China, Germany and other core markets, we will continue to make progress in e-commerce by
increasing sales and market share on key e-commerce platforms.
Crop Science
With agricultural expertise spanning more than 100 years, we have a solid track record in farm
chemistry research and leadership in biologicals. Above all, the Monsanto acquisition brings lead-
ing seed brands and a strong foundation in plant biotechnology traits. As a leading partner to
farmers around the world, we are focused on innovation. Working with digital applications and
cutting-edge technologies, we develop and market a broad spectrum of tailored solutions for
farmers that enable greater productivity in a sustainable way. Our research is aimed at improving
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Bayer Annual Report 2018
agricultural productivity regardless of where farming is taking place, the amount of land being
farmed or the agricultural practices deployed.
Bayer worldwide;
see also A 1.1.2/3
Our research and development activities are driven by approximately 7,300 dedicated scientists
and researchers operating at more than 35 research and development sites and 175 breeding
sites. With a projected annual R&D budget of approximately €2.4 billion over the coming years, we
are committed to remaining an industry leader now and in the future when it comes to agricultural
innovation in the lab and in the field.
Bayer also enters into collaborations with external partners to drive innovation. We plan to work
through an established network to bring new solutions to farmers. Combined R&D spending
through Leaps by Bayer (including Bayer Growth Ventures) and other venture capital investment
will further improve the future pipeline of sustainable agriculture solutions.
Research and development capacities
Our R&D is focused on developing technologies across multiple platforms to deliver tailored solu-
tions to farmers. Bringing together our expertise across multiple disciplines uniquely positions us
to deliver more innovation faster. Here we focus on the following technologies and areas:
Breeding
We tap into our leading germplasm from around the world to find genetics that best meet farmers’
regional needs. Before a product is brought to market, we test and monitor its performance
through numerous combination scenarios. Our researchers use digital sensors and field imaging
to evaluate a large number of products side by side in diverse environments and to learn how
plants respond to stress.
See also
A 1.6.1 “Crop Science –
Focusing on product
safety” for information
about genetic engineer-
ing
Biotechnology
Biotechnology has helped us to develop highly effective solutions over the past 30 years, specifi-
cally strengthening plants’ resistance to diseases, insects or adverse weather conditions. We
transfer beneficial traits, such as an ability to use water efficiently, to a new plant so that it can
better survive in its environment. Over the past 20 years, developments such as GM crops have
helped to enhance nutrition as well as to make farming more profitable and sustainable by reduc-
ing tillage, for example.
Crop protection
We develop innovative, safe and sustainable crop protection tools – such as herbicides, insecti-
cides and fungicides – that play an essential role in achieving a good harvest. They are an
important part of our current product offerings and will continue to be a significant focus of our
research and development efforts.
Biologicals
Farmers increasingly seek to protect their crops with solutions that span synthetic chemistry,
molecular biology and biologicals. We use our expertise and competency in different technology
platforms to lead in providing sustainable crop protection solutions. Biologicals contain or are
derived from naturally occurring materials, or are based on naturally occurring processes. They
can complement or replace traditional fertilizers and chemicals.
Digital applications
The world of agriculture is being transformed by data science, and particularly by algorithms,
analytics, deep learning and artificial intelligence, which can deliver crucial benefits for farmers.
The potential of a crop plant relies on many complex interactions in the field. For example, yield
is dependent on genetics, environmental factors (weather and pest / disease burdens) and agro-
nomic practices. The goal of digital solutions is to give farmers recommendations as to what
products to use, in what amount, in what location, and at what time during the season in order to
optimize harvest yields.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
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49
1.3 Focus on Innovation
See also A 1.2.1
Research and development pipeline
Our product pipeline contains numerous new crop protection products, seed varieties, digital
products and enhanced products (life cycle management). The existing innovation activities at
Crop Science are now being supplemented by the product innovation pipeline from Monsanto.
The acquired pipeline includes a large number of next-generation biotech pest and weed control
plant traits, several new seed treatments, and various digital applications that are currently in
development. We estimate the peak sales potential of products with launch dates from 2017 to
2022 to be more than €17 billion.3 In 2018, we launched confirmatory technical proof-of-concept
field studies for five new chemical / biological active ingredients or plant traits.4
The following table shows a selection of new products in late development phases, sorted by key
crop, that are highly likely to be launched by 2021.
Product Innovation Pipeline
1
A 1.3/7
Crop
Corn
Soybeans
Rice
Oilseed rape /
canola
Cotton
Horticulture
Market launch
Product group
Indication
Product / trait
2021
2021
2019
2020
2021
2019
2019
2019
2021
2019
Biotechnology trait
Pest management
SmartStax PRO
Breeding / native trait
Disease management Goss wilt
Breeding / native trait
Pest management
Soybean cyst
nematode
Biotechnology trait
Weed management
Xtendflex soybeans
Biotechnology trait
Pest management
Intacta2Xtend
soybeans
Crop protection
Pest management
Vayego (tetraniliprole)
Biotechnology trait
Weed management
TruFlex canola
Biotechnology trait
Weed management
LL canola
Biotechnology trait
Pest management
Lygus / thrips cotton
Crop protection
Disease management
Tiviant (isotianil)
1 Planned market launch of selected new products, subject to regulatory approval
As of November 2018
New products and registrations
In 2018, we received marketing authorization in numerous countries for new mixtures and formu-
lations, as well as for expanded indications for existing products and expanded licensing agree-
ments. Key products introduced by and marketing authorizations granted to Monsanto in 2018
prior to the acquisition on June 7, 2018, are also included and identified accordingly to give a
better overview.
In May 2018, prior to the acquisition of Monsanto by Bayer, Corteva Agriscience (Indianapolis,
Indiana, United States), the agriculture division of DowDuPont Inc., and Monsanto Company
(St. Louis, Missouri, United States) announced the signing of a licensing agreement for next-
generation technology for insect control in corn for the United States and Canada. Corteva
Agriscience will receive a license to stack Monsanto’s Corn Rootworm III and MON89034 traits
with Corteva Agriscience’s insect control traits. The technology will be offered with the Enlist™
herbicide-tolerant trait for corn and is effective against below-ground insect pests.
Serenade™ ASO biological fungicide / bactericide was approved in France for the first time in
October 2018. The registration covers foliar and soil applications on a wide range of crops, includ-
ing oilseed rape / canola, sugar beets, grapes, potatoes, fruits and vegetables. Serenade™ ASO is
exempt from the requirements of residue tolerances (MRLs) due to its favorable safety profile.
3 Subject to regulatory approvals, the expected peak potential pertains only to a selection of products in the pipeline. Products from
the digital farming segment are important applications for achieving our peak sales potential. Peak sales are not risk-adjusted and
are not to be regarded as cumulative in business areas in which we are already active. This means that additional sales may be
generated at the expense of existing product sales.
4 A new plant trait is a specific characteristic that has not previously been available or offered at Bayer for the crop plant in question.
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Bayer Annual Report 2018
See also A 1.3
“Global open innovation
network”
Collaborations
Crop Science is part of a global network of partners from diverse segments of the agriculture
industry and works together with numerous other NGOs, universities and other public and private
institutes. In 2018, we entered into new research partnerships and extended existing collabora-
tions. A selection of these is detailed below. Key collaborations entered into by Monsanto in 2018
prior to the acquisition on June 7, 2018, are also included and identified accordingly to give a
better overview.
At the beginning of March 2018, Bayer and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), head-
quartered in Los Baños, Philippines, signed an agreement confirming Bayer’s participation in the
Direct Seeded Rice Consortium led by IRRI to drive forward modern rice cultivation technologies
in Asia.
In March 2018, prior to the acquisition of Monsanto by Bayer, Monsanto and AgriMetis, LLC
(Lutherville, Maryland, United States) announced the continuation of their research collaboration
with the AgriMetis SpinoMetis™ platform, which includes novel insect protection compounds
derived from a naturally occurring bacterium. The agreement includes an exclusive global license
from AgriMetis to Bayer for agricultural research in row, vegetable and other crops for a three-
year period, as well as an option for Monsanto to acquire exclusive commercial rights at the end
of the term.
Also in March 2018, prior to the acquisition of Monsanto by Bayer, Monsanto and Pairwise Plants
(Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, United States) announced a collaboration to advance
agriculture research and development by leveraging gene-editing technology. Under the agree-
ment, Pairwise will work exclusively with Bayer in corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton and oilseed rape /
canola crops.
Vector control:
see Glossary
In April 2018, Bayer joined with selected members of the agriculture industry – BASF, Mitsui
Chemicals, Sumitomo Chemical Company and Syngenta – to pledge its ongoing support to the
research, development and supply of innovative vector control solutions to help eradicate malaria
by 2040. This industry collaboration is coordinated by the Innovative Vector Control Consortium.
Also in April 2018, we joined with International Finance Corporation (Washington, D.C., United
States), Netafim Ltd. (Tel Aviv, Israel) and Swiss Re Corporate Solutions Ltd. (Zürich, Switzerland)
in launching a global alliance named Better Life Farming. The aim is to provide comprehensive and
innovative solutions for smallholder farmers in the developing world with less than two hectares of
land to enable them to grow their farms into sustainable businesses.
In September 2018, Bayer and Genedata AG in Basel, Switzerland, expanded their longstanding
partnership in the digitalization of R&D processes. The expanded agreement includes a license
for the Genedata Selector platform to support the processing, storage, analysis and evaluation of
genomic data for the development of new innovative fungicides to treat plant diseases.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
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51
1.3 Focus on Innovation
The following table provides an overview of strategically important long-term collaborations that
are currently ongoing.
Important Collaborations
Partner
BASF SE
A 1.3/8
Collaboration objective
Cofunded collaboration agreement to develop transgenic products
with increased yield stability in corn and soybeans
Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation –
Embrapa
R&D cooperation to address specific agricultural challenges in
Brazil, e.g. Asian soybean rust
2Blades Foundation
Collaboration research program to identify Asian soybean rust
resistance genes in legumes and genes to control fungal diseases
in corn
Citrus Research Development Foundation, Inc. Search for solutions to citrus greening disease, which currently
Elemental Enzymes Ag and Turf, LLC
Energin .R Technologies 2009 Ltd. (NRGENE)
Evogene Ltd.
Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH
threatens the global citrus production and juice industry
Use of soil microbes to improve plant health and thereby increase
crop productivity
Collaboration to develop a sequence-based pangenome and
haplotype database to facilitate molecular breeding approaches
Research program to identify genes for fungal disease resistance
in corn
Research collaboration focused on phenotyping of biologicals
in plants
Grains Research and Development
Corporation (GRDC)
Partnership for the discovery and development of innovative weed
management solutions (herbicides)
Innovative Vector Control Consortium (IVCC)
Joint development of new substances to control mosquitoes that
transmit diseases such as malaria and dengue fever
Institute of Molecular Biology and
Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and
Technology Hellas in Greece (IMBB-FORTH)
Collaboration seeking to reveal key aspects of insect gut
physiology and discover novel targets for the development of
insect control solutions
KWS SAAT SE
Nimbus Discovery, Inc.
Nomad Bioscience GmbH
Novozymes A/S (BioAg Alliance)
Pairwise Plants
Pivot Bio
Second Genome, Inc.
Targenomix GmbH
Joint collaboration and commercial agreement for herbicide-
tolerant sugar beet
Collaboration to develop broad-spectrum fungicides with new
modes of action
Research program to develop partner’s proprietary technology for
increased efficiency of genome editing projects aimed at crop
enhancements
Alliance to codevelop new sustainable microbial solutions for crop
agriculture
Research alliance to develop genome editing tools and products in
corn, soybeans, cotton, oilseed rape / canola, and wheat
Research collaboration to develop an improved soil bacterium
strain for increased nitrogen fixation in soybeans
Alliance that leverages partner’s microbiome / metagenomics
platform to expand sourcing and diversity of novel proteins for the
development of next-generation insect control traits
Development and application of systems biology approaches to
achieve a better understanding of metabolic processes in plants
Animal Health
Animal Health improves the health and well-being of companion and farm animals through innova-
tions. We focus our research and development activities on antiparasitics, antibiotics, medicines
to treat noninfectious disorders and nonantibiotic alternatives for infectious diseases.
Animal Health pursues the One Health concept. We offer animal health products that reduce the
risk of transmission of disease pathogens to humans, such as endoparasiticides for cats and dogs
or ectoparasiticides to protect especially against fleas and ticks. Through our initiative focusing on
companion vector-borne diseases (CVBD™) and with the leading global scientists who participate
in this initiative, we are setting trends in basic research and the fight against vector-borne diseas-
es. In our central research activities, we cooperate closely with the research departments at
Pharmaceuticals and Crop Science.
www.cvbd.org/
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1.4 Commitment to Employees and Society
Bayer Annual Report 2018
New products and registrations
In 2018, we received more than 100 new product approvals worldwide through product innova-
tions, approval extensions and the geographic expansion of our existing product portfolio. New
product launches included Advantix XXL™, a new application size from our Advantage™ range of
products for the treatment of very large dogs with just one single dose, and Viper™, a novel louse
control product with increased efficacy for sheep which was registered in Australia.
Collaborations
Animal Health also reinforces its business by continually identifying further product development
candidates through new and existing collaborations. In 2018, for example, global license agree-
ments were concluded with Mitsui Chemicals Agro, Inc. (MCAG) and NeuroCycle Therapeutics to
strengthen the portfolio. We work closely with our partners in areas such as the development of
innovative technologies, application innovations and lead structure optimizations.
1.4 Commitment to Employees and Society
Defining our corporate culture through ethics, dialogue and diversity
Focusing on integrating employees from the acquired agriculture
business
Unreserved commitment to supporting human rights
Wide-ranging societal engagement
1.4.1 Employees
Bayer’s business success is based to a large extent on the knowledge and commitment of our
employees. As an employer, we offer our employees attractive conditions and wide-ranging indi-
vidual development opportunities. Alongside professional training, we focus on conveying our
corporate values (LIFE) and establishing a dialogue-oriented corporate culture based on trust,
respect for diversity and equality of opportunity. Our responsible approach to structuring working
conditions includes fair treatment at work, a transparent and equitable compensation system,
retirement benefit plans, the ability to combine working with family commitments, flexible worktime
arrangements and a working environment that fosters health. Numerous external awards and
surveys bear witness to our excellent reputation as an employer. These include the awards we
received in 2018 as one of the best employers in Germany, China, Italy and India.
Responsibility for the human resources strategy of the Bayer Group falls within the remit of the
Board of Management and the primary decision-making body of Bayer’s HR function, which set
binding policies and define priorities for all regions and organizational units. In 2019, the focus in
Human Resources will be on further integrating the employees of the acquired agriculture busi-
ness and the planned portfolio, efficiency and structural measures.
The overall size of our workforce increased substantially in 2018 as a result of the Monsanto acqui-
sition. The acquired agriculture business’s human resources department is already part of Bayer’s
Human Resources & Organization function for organizational purposes, and integration into the
Bayer systems began in 2018. All information in this chapter includes the acquired agriculture busi-
ness, unless otherwise indicated. The acquired agriculture business will continue to use its own
systems and processes until full integration is completed.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
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53
1.4 Commitment to Employees and Society
A 1.4.1/1
Change
in %
+ 17.2
Change
in %
+ 5.7
+ 73.9
+ 4.5
+ 30.7
Change
in %
+ 0.5
– 6.0
+ 83.8
+ 5.9
+ 0.5
Change
in %
+ 19.6
+ 15.5
+ 23.0
Employee Data
Total
2017
2018
99,820
116,998
by Region
12.9% Latin America
20.4% Asia / Pacific
19.3% North America
by Segment
47.3% Europe /
Middle East /
Africa
2018
Europe / Middle
East / Africa
North America
Asia / Pacific
Latin America
2017
2018
52,380
13,001
22,852
11,587
55,371
22,611
23,872
15,144
21.9% Reconciliation
32.9% Pharmaceuticals
3.2% Animal Health
2018
9.4% Consumer Health
Pharmaceuticals
Consumer Health
Crop Science
Animal Health
Reconciliation
1
2017
38,295
11,760
20,736
3,527
25,502
2018
38,478
11,050
38,109
3,735
25,626
32.6% Crop Science
by Function
8.5% General administration
14.8% R&D
36.1% Marketing
& distribution
by Gender
39.2% Women
2.1%
temporarily employed
37.1%
permanently employed
by Age Group in %
30
25
20
15
10
5
14
14
0.1
0.1
2018
40.6% Production
Production
Marketing &
distribution
R&D
General
administration
2017
2018
39,669
47,444
36,622
14,041
42,291
17,275
9,488
9,988
+ 5.3
60.8% Men
57.8% permanently
employed
3.0% temporarily
employed
Women
2017
2018
2017
Men
2018
21,366
22,503
31,014
32,868
5,620
8,758
4,354
8,734
9,032
5,539
7,381
13,876
14,094
14,840
7,233
9,606
Europe / Middle
East / Africa
North America
Asia / Pacific
Latin America
Total
40,098
45,808
59,722
71,190
2018
30
31
27
27
23
23
Fluctuation in %
5
5
in %
Women
Men
Total
Voluntary
2017
2018
5.2
4.5
4.8
6.0
5.0
5.4
Total
2018
14.0
14.6
14.4
2017
10.1
10.7
10.4
< 20
20–29
30–39
40–49
50–59
> 60
2017
2018
Number of employees in full-time equivalents (FTE)
1 Reconciliation encompasses all business activities – especially cross-segment service functions – that are not allocated to any of our reporting segments.
54
A Combined Management Report
1.4 Commitment to Employees and Society
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Bayer AG key data:
see also A 1.7
Employee data
On December 31, 2018, Bayer employed 116,998 (2017: 99,820) people worldwide. In Germany
we had 32,140 (2017: 31,620) employees, which was 27.5% of the total Bayer Group workforce
(2017: 31.7%).
Headcount rose by 17.2% in 2018, with growth in all regions. This comprised an increase of
around 17,200 employees, including an addition of 22,100 people through the Monsanto acquisi-
tion and the departure of around 4,700 employees through the divestments to BASF. This rise is
particularly evident in our Crop Science segment, where the number of employees increased by
83.8%. The breakdown by function shows more employees working in particular in production, in
marketing & distribution, and also in R&D. The proportion of women in the workforce decreased
by one percentage point to 39.2%. In 2018, there was no significant change in the age structure
of our employees compared with the previous year.
Restructuring measures
Sustainability and social responsibility reflect our approach to the necessary changes and re-
structuring measures. For example, we shall complete the worldwide reduction of around 12,000
jobs initiated in December 2018 by the end of 2021. The consequences for employees will be
adapted to local laws and regulations, meaning that there might be different solutions in different
countries. In all countries we aim to minimize the impact on employees and find fair solutions in
cases where job cuts are necessary. In Germany, which remains the company’s largest opera-
tional base with 32,140 employees, business-related dismissals are fundamentally excluded
through the end of 2025 under an agreement with the employee representatives that was con-
cluded in December 2018.
New hires and employment status
In total, the Bayer Group hired 12,333 new employees in 2018 (accounting for 10.5% of our
workforce).
A 1.4.1/2
New Hires
by Region
15.6%
Latin America
26.8%
Asia /
Pacific
13.0%
North America
by Age Group
by Gender
44.5%
Europe /
Middle East /
Africa
6.9% >=50
42.3% Women
2018
2018
48.2% <30
2018
44.9% 30–49
57.7%
Men
On the reporting date, our employees had worked for the Bayer Group for an average of 9.6
years. The rate of employee-driven terminations (voluntary fluctuation) in 2018 rose to 5.4%. The
overall fluctuation rate was 14.4%, an increase of four percentage points compared with the pre-
vious year. This figure includes all employer- and employee-driven terminations, retirements and
deaths. Our workforce includes only a small number of employees on temporary contracts (5.1%).
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
55
1.4 Commitment to Employees and Society
Employees1 by Employment Status and Region in 2018
Permanent employees
Temporary employees 2
A 1.4.1/3
12.8% Latin America
20.9% Asia / Pacific
111,015
47.3% Europe /
Middle East /
Africa
15.9% Latin America
11.1% Asia /
Pacific
47.8% Europe /
Middle East /
Africa
5,983
19.0% North America
25.2% North America
1 The number of employees on either permanent or temporary contracts is stated in full-time equivalents (FTE). Part-time employees are included on a prorated basis in line
with their contractual working hours.
2 Not included are fluctuations in the course of the year owing to seasonal work
Bayer uses temporary employees from staffing agencies primarily in response to short-term per-
sonnel requirements, fluctuations in order levels, temporary projects or long-term illness. In some
countries, staff are employed via agencies for seasonal work. In Germany, temporary employees
make up 1.6% of the total workforce. At our significant locations of operation, this figure is 8.1%
(not including fluctuations in the course of the year owing to seasonal work).
Creating attractive working conditions
Competitive compensation and variable pay
Our compensation system combines a basic salary reflecting performance and responsibility with
elements based on the company’s success, plus extensive additional benefits. Adjustments based
on continuous benchmarking make our compensation internationally competitive.
We attach great importance to equal pay for men and women, providing fair compensation and
informing our employees transparently about the overall structure of their compensation. Bayer
voluntarily pays employees on both permanent and temporary employment contracts in excess of
the statutory minimum wage in many of the countries in which we operate.
Binding and transparent compensation structures
At Bayer, individual salaries are based on each employee’s personal and professional abilities
and the level of responsibility assigned to them. At the managerial level, this is based on uni-
form evaluation of all positions throughout the Group using the internationally recognized Hay
method. This method will be successively applied to the managerial positions in the acquired
agriculture business. In areas of the Group and jobs that fall within the scope of a binding col-
lective bargaining agreement, there are no differences in pay based on gender either. In the
Emerging Markets and developing countries, compensation levels are aligned to local market
conditions. In the majority of cases, full- and part-time employees at our significant locations of
operation receive the same rates of pay. Employees on temporary contracts are not entitled to
long-term compensation components such as pension plans in some countries.
Our compensation concept also includes variable one-time payments. Approximately €1,100 mil-
lion is earmarked for bonus awards to employees for 2018 under the Group-wide short-term in-
centive (STI) program and similar programs (2017: approximately €680 million for employees in
continuing operations). In many countries, employee stock programs enable our staff to purchase
Bayer shares at a discount. Starting in 2019, these programs will be extended to the employees of
the acquired agriculture business as well. Senior managers throughout the Bayer Group are invit-
ed to participate in Aspire, a uniform long-term compensation program based on the development
of the share price.
Significant locations of
operation: see Glossary
Bayer AG key data:
see also A 1.7
56
A Combined Management Report
1.4 Commitment to Employees and Society
Bayer Annual Report 2018
See also Note 9 to B
Consolidated Financial
Statements
See also Note 22 to B
Consolidated Financial
Statements
Bayer AG key data:
see also A 1.7
Our personnel expenses for continuing operations amounted to €11,548 million in 2018 (2017:
€9,528 million). This change was largely due to the acquisition of the new agriculture business and
the associated substantial increase in the number of Bayer employees.
Alongside attractive compensation for their work, Bayer contributes to the financial security of its
present and former employees after their retirement. Retirement benefit plans are available to 80%
(2017: 75%) of Bayer employees worldwide to complement national pension systems. The bene-
fits provided depend on the legal, fiscal and economic conditions in each country, employee
compensation and years of service. Personnel expenses in 2018 included pension expenses of
€924 million. Payments of €1,123 million were made in 2018 to current retirees. The value of total
pension obligations at the end of 2018 was €26,569 million.
Personnel Expenses and Pension Obligations
€ million
Personnel expenses
of which pension expenses
Pension obligations
1
Pension benefits paid
2
A 1.4.1/4
2018
11,548
924
26,569
1,123
2017
9,528
933
24,492
1,051
www.bayer.com/training
Significant locations of
operation: see Glossary
1 Present value of defined benefit obligations for pensions and other post-employment benefits as of December 31, 2018
2 2017 figure including Covestro until its deconsolidation
Vocational and ongoing training
Employees can take part in wide-ranging ongoing training opportunities. We bundle our Group-
wide continuing education offerings in the Bayer Academy, which offers both continuous profes-
sional training and systematic development of managerial employees and has received numerous
international awards. Since 2018, our employees have had access to a comprehensive eLearning
library that supports learning tailored to individual development needs. These offerings are already
available to employees of the acquired agriculture business. The acquired agriculture business
additionally has its own vocational training and continuing education offerings, which will be inte-
grated into Bayer’s program over the course of 2019.
In 2018, we determined the vocational and ongoing training hours for all employees worldwide (in
2017, those at our significant locations of operation only), including those of the acquired agricul-
ture business. At the same time, the range of face-to-face training offered in the second half of
2018 was reduced. For this reason, vocational and ongoing training hours amounted to only 17.1
hours per employee in 2018. Once the integration of the training systems has progressed further,
we will report on the average ongoing training costs, including those of the acquired agriculture
business, in 2019.
Training Activities in Hours in 2018 by Employee Group and Gender
Employee group
1
Management
Specialists
Overall average
A 1.4.1/5
Women
Men
Total
27.8
15.0
18.7
23.8
13.0
15.9
25.5
13.8
17.1
1 Bayer uses the Hay method to determine whether employees belong to junior or senior management. As the evaluation of positions
in the acquired agriculture business is not yet complete, our reporting for the whole Group for 2018 refers to specialists and
management (both junior and senior).
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
57
1.4 Commitment to Employees and Society
www.bayer.com/career
To meet the need for skilled employees, Bayer provides vocational training in Germany in more
than 25 different occupations and offers more vocational training places than is required to meet
its needs. In 2018, more than 700 young people started a vocational training course at Bayer in
Germany. We employed nearly 2,000 trainees overall in 2018 (around 500 women and 1,500
men). Bayer also offers trainee programs in various areas for those embarking on a career and
internships for students around the world.
Feedback on employee performance and wide-ranging career opportunities
Bayer encourages a culture of candid feedback. Our employees have the opportunity to receive
feedback from their supervisors on fulfillment of their professional and behavioral objectives. This
evaluation also helps to determine their variable compensation. In 2018, about 78% of our total
workforce participated in these feedback discussions. Of the participants, 42% were female and
58% male.
Thanks to our wide-ranging business activities, we offer employees throughout the Bayer Group
good opportunities for development. Regular development dialogues between employees and
supervisors provide an opportunity to discuss the employees’ further career development per-
spectives. More than 53,000 development dialogues were held and documented in 2018. A total
of 44% of employees participated in development dialogues.
Vacancies throughout the Bayer Group, from nonmanagerial right up to management level, are
advertised via a globally accessible platform.
Work-life balance
We offer our employees flexible working hours and support in child care and caring for close
relatives. In many countries, our commitment in this area goes beyond the statutory require-
ments. In 2018, part-time employees accounted for around 9% of the Bayer Group workforce,
primarily in Europe.
Part-Time Employees by Gender
Women
Men
Total
A 1.4.1/6
2018
6,097
4,401
10,498
2017
5,639
3,444
9,083
Bayer enables both men and women to take parental leave. Since national parental leave regula-
tions vary widely from country to country, we only compile data for our significant locations of
operation. 1,980 women and 1,228 men at these locations took parental leave in 2018. By the
end of the year, 2,486 employees on parental leave had returned to work.
Significant locations of
operation: see Glossary
Bayer has introduced uniform conditions for mobile working (home office) in Germany through a
General Works Agreement with the Works Council. In addition, through the “BayZeit” long-term
account in Germany, employees can convert part of their salary into free time, which they can later
take off to care for children or close family members, or to take part in an advanced training
course, for example.
Initiatives to promote health and ensure safe working conditions
In 2018, Bayer sustained its global framework concept to promote employee health and quality
of life (BeWell@Bayer). It expands the core aspect of health into a comprehensive approach,
targets further improvements in the daily work environment and is intended particularly to help
balance employees’ professional and private lives. We aim to provide employees in all countries
with access to affordable and targeted health offerings such as regular medical check-ups,
sports programs, rehabilitation and on-site medical care. The acquired agriculture business has
similar health promotion programs.
www.bayer.com/en/
working-at-bayer.aspx
58
A Combined Management Report
1.4 Commitment to Employees and Society
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Corporate culture: ethics, dialogue, diversity, responsibility
Ethical standards
Fairness and respect are central elements of our corporate culture. That includes observing
Group-wide standards of conduct and protecting employees from discrimination, harassment and
retaliation. These standards are set forth in our corporate policy entitled “Fairness and Respect at
Work.” With the help of training, videos and our internal websites, Bayer employees around the
world are provided with guidance on how to comply with this corporate policy.
ILO core labor stand-
ards: see Glossary
See also A 1.4.2
Child and forced labor are strictly prohibited at Bayer in accordance with the core labor criteria of
the International Labour Organization (ILO). This prohibition is set out in our binding Human Rights
Policy and applies Group-wide.
GRI 102-43
The acquired agriculture business has regulations on standards of conduct and human rights that
are comparable with Bayer standards. These will remain in force until the integration has been
completed.
Communication at all levels
Our employees have the opportunity to discuss company-specific issues and scope for
optimization via various communication channels. We involve our employees in business pro-
cesses through active dialogue. Informing staff in good time and comprehensively about upcom-
ing changes, in compliance with the applicable national and international regulations, is very
important to us.
We measure employee engagement at Bayer by means of institutionalized feedback discussions
and the Group-wide Employee Survey, which is conducted about every two years. This enables us
to monitor the effectiveness of our initiatives and initiate any necessary improvements. In addition,
we introduced the Employee Echo – a scaled-down version of the global Employee Survey – in
2018. This is intended to help us identify trends in the course of a year, allowing us to adjust al-
ready initiated measures early on. The initial Employee Echo, an online survey, polled 25% of em-
ployees worldwide (excluding the acquired agriculture business), who were selected as repre-
sentative samples using statistical methods. Bayer’s score on the Employee Engagement Index –
collated from responses to questions about satisfaction, loyalty, advocacy and pride – was 77%,
slightly below the figure in the 2017 Group-wide Employee Survey (79%). According to our anal-
yses, the decline also resulted from the changes in the company in 2018, which have led to un-
certainty.
We engage in open and trustful dialogue with employee representatives. The main dialogue for-
mats are regular employee assemblies, information events for managers and the European Forum,
at which employee representatives from all European sites engage in discussion with the Board of
Management on issues of central relevance to the company.
Diversity and internationality are hallmarks of Bayer
In our employee structure we promote inclusion and diversity, through which we acquire a better
understanding of changing markets and consumer groups, gain access to a broader pool of tal-
ented people and benefit from an increasing level of creativity and innovative strength. That is why
mutual understanding and a gender and cultural balance are important success factors at Bayer.
Overall, the Bayer Group employs people from around 150 different nations.
See also A 4.1
See also A 1.2.1
Bayer has endeavored for many years to achieve a better gender balance in management.
The proportion of women in management in 2018 was 39.7% (2017: 40%).
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
59
1.4 Commitment to Employees and Society
Employee Structure of the Bayer Group in 2018
Management1
Specialists
Total
60.3%
Men
61.2%
Men
39.7%
Women
39,612
38.8%
Women
77,386
39.2%
Women
116,998
A 1.4.1/7
60.8%
Men
1 Bayer uses the Hay method to determine whether employees belong to junior or senior management. As the evaluation of positions in the acquired agriculture business is
not yet complete, our reporting for the whole Group for 2018 refers to specialists and management (both junior and senior).
The proportion of women in the Group Leadership Circle, the highest management level below
the Board of Management, increased again compared to previous years. By the end of 2018, it
was made up of 21% women (2010: 7%) and 79% men (2010: 93%). The Group Leadership
Circle currently comprises 30 nationalities, with around 68% of its members working in their na-
tive country. Information on diversity in our Board of Management and our Supervisory Board can
be found in our Corporate Governance Report.
As a signatory to the United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles and the Diversity Charter
corporate initiative, we pursue an inclusive approach. Diversity is integrated into all relevant human
resources processes and driven forward by the management.
www.weprinciples.org
www.charta-der-
vielfalt.de/en/
As a socially responsible company, we are also committed to supporting the needs of people with
disabilities. Based on voluntary statements by employees, we employ some 2,400 people with
disabilities in 29 countries, 40% of whom are women and 60% men. That represents around 2%
of our total workforce. Most employees with disabilities work for our companies in Germany,
where they made up 5.2% of the workforce in 2018.
Social responsibility for employees worldwide
Almost 98% (2017: 98%) of our employees worldwide either have statutory health insurance or
can obtain health insurance through the company.
Employees at all Bayer sites around the world have the right to elect their own representatives.
In 2018, the working conditions for around 57% (2017: 63%) of our employees worldwide were
governed by collective or company agreements. At various country companies, the interests
of the workforce are represented by elected employee representatives who have a right to be
consulted on certain personnel-related decisions.
GRI 102-41
1.4.2 Global Respect for Human Rights
Bayer fully supports human rights and has documented its stance in a globally binding corporate
policy entitled the “Bayer Human Rights Policy.” We are committed to respecting and fostering
human rights within our sphere of influence and to reporting transparently on the results of our
activities in this area. We also expect our business partners, and particularly our suppliers, to
fully observe human rights. Our LIFE values and Corporate Compliance Policy also obligate all
employees worldwide to conduct themselves fairly and in a compliant manner in dealings with
colleagues, business partners and members of the community.
www.bayer.com/
humanrights
60
A Combined Management Report
1.4 Commitment to Employees and Society
Bayer Annual Report 2018
ILO core labor
standards:
see Glossary
We are a founding member of the U.N. Global Compact and respect the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights and a range of globally recognized declarations applicable for multinational corpo-
rations. These include the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, the Tripartite Declaration
of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy, and the core labor standards
of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
www.bayer.com/
monsanto-human-rights
The acquired agriculture business has expressed its clear commitment to observing human rights
in a position paper, which is comparable with the Bayer Human Rights Policy. These two policies
are being combined during integration. Until that time, both position papers will continue to apply.
Responsibility and management
The observance of human rights is an integral part of our sustainability management and our
human resources strategy. Responsibility for this topic lies with the Board of Management
member responsible for Human Resources, Technology and Sustainability, who is assisted by
the Sustainable Development Committee (SDC).
Directives, processes and management and monitoring systems control the implementation of
human rights standards in business operations. The acquired agriculture business will continue to
use its own systems and processes until integration has been fully implemented.
Observing human rights is an interdisciplinary issue at Bayer that covers wide-ranging areas of
influence and processes, such as:
// Employees:
See also A 1.4.1
// Diversity, compensation, fairness and respect at the workplace
// Prohibition of child and forced labor, and the right to freedom of association
// Safety:
See also A 1.6.2
// Health and safety at the workplace
// Plant safety to protect our employees and the people who live near our production sites
See also A 1.3 Pharma-
ceuticals and A 1.6.1
// Product stewardship, also in relation to clinical studies and biodiversity
// Procurement:
// Sustainable supplier management (we report on our measures to combat child labor in the
www.bayer.com/child-
care
seed supply chain on our website)
We report in more detail on our due diligence with respect to human rights in the relevant chapters.
Training and grievance mechanisms
We offer ongoing training programs to enhance employees’ awareness of the importance of hu-
man rights in their day-to-day activities. In 2018, more than 60% of our employees received train-
ing in aspects of our Human Rights Policy in sessions totaling around 240,000 hours. Aspects of
human rights are also covered in the training offerings and the sustainability manual for our suppli-
ers.
See also A 4.2
The compliance organizations at the Group and country levels monitor compliance with our corpo-
rate policies. If there are signs of violations of our Human Rights Policy, employees and members
of the general public can contact the Bayer Compliance Officers at any time, even anonymously if
desired. Alternatively, they can contact the worldwide compliance hotline.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
61
1.4 Commitment to Employees and Society
Commitment
We engage in dialogue with other stakeholders on the topic of human rights and actively partici-
pate in committees and initiatives established to ensure their observance, such as the corre-
sponding working groups of econsense, by contributing to discussions on implementing the Na-
tional Action Plan (NAP) – Business and Human Rights and, in the supply chain, via our Together
for Sustainability (TfS) industry initiative and the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative (PSCI).
GRI 102-43
We also support the U.N. Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, which provide global
standards for preventing and combating possible human rights violations in connection with busi-
ness activities.
Since the beginning of 2018, we have been actively involved in a pilot project under the auspices
of the OECD and the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) that is aimed at supporting com-
panies in the implementation of the voluntary Guidance for Responsible Agricultural Supply Chains
initiative based on the U.N. Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
www.bayer.com/oecd-
fao-guidance
1.4.3 Societal Engagement
Bayer’s societal engagement focuses on people who work worldwide in education, science,
health and social innovation, and who are committed to improving living conditions. In this way,
we support the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals “Good Health and Well-Being” (SDG 3) and
“Zero Hunger” (SDG 2). For example, we enable people in developing countries and emerging
markets to access our medical products through our various Access to Medicine activities. An-
other funding area is sports and culture in Germany. In 2018, Bayer – including the acquired
agriculture business – made available some €66 million worldwide for charitable projects and
activities (2017: €49 million for Bayer excluding Monsanto).
An interdisciplinary corporate function is responsible for the strategic orientation and coordination
of our societal engagement. Group-wide donation allocation and management policies form the
basis for our donation and foundation activities. The Board of Management and an independent
panel of internationally renowned experts help make major funding decisions. The acquired agri-
culture business has its own extensive societal engagement programs, which will be integrated
into our structures from 2019.
Social innovation:
see Glossary
Bayer’s societal engagement includes the activities of its globally operating company foundations
that are aligned toward health care and nutrition: the Bayer Science & Education Foundation for
leading-edge research, education and talent promotion, the Bayer Cares Foundation for social
innovation and employee engagement, and the Monsanto Fund focusing on community projects,
education, food and nutrition.
www.bayer-
foundations.com
www.monsantofund.org
We work together with leading nongovernmental organizations, patient groups, foundations, sci-
entific institutions, educational partners and networks of experts around the world to implement
many of our initiatives.
Through various initiatives, we help improve living conditions very close to the company’s sites.
Our company foundations support, for example, science education worldwide at schools near
company sites and projects promoting the agricultural self-sufficiency of smallholder farmers.
Under the auspices of international volunteering programs, we support volunteer projects by em-
ployees near their workplace in many countries.
62
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1.5 Procurement and Supplier Management
Societal Engagement in 2018
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A 1.4.3/1
€15.2 million Science and education
€15.2 million Social innovation, health
and nutrition
€66
million
total
€16.4 million Monsanto and Monsanto Fund
€19.2 million Sports and culture
Monsanto and Monsanto Fund: community projects, food and nutrition, education, disaster aid
Recreational, disabled and competitive sports, cultural events, support for young artists
Health education and prevention, social health, access to medical care, sustainable development and smallholder farmer projects, disaster aid, employee
volunteering and community projects, Grants4Impact & Aspirin Social Innovation
School projects, Baylab school laboratories, talent promotion, scholarships, promotion of leading-edge research, scientific awards, promotion of academies,
symposia, conferences
1.5 Procurement and Supplier Management
Sustainability criteria consistently anchored in supply management
Expansion of supplier development in the area of sustainability
The procurement organization supplies the company with raw materials, goods and services all
around the world. We exert influence on society and the environment through our procurement
activities and supplier relationships. Not only economic, but also ethical, social and ecological
principles are therefore anchored in our Procurement Policy, which is binding for all employees
worldwide.
Procurement is a corporate function, the head of which reports directly to the Chief Financial
Officer. This function acts centrally on behalf of all segments and leverages synergies by bundling
know-how and procurement spend.
Our main direct procurement materials include active ingredients, raw materials, intermediates
and finished products. Technical goods and services, marketing services and research and devel-
opment are important components of our indirect procurement portfolio.
www.bayer.com/en/
supplier-
management.aspx
The share of renewable raw materials in Bayer’s procurement portfolio plays a subordinated role
in the Bayer Group. These materials are primarily used when it makes technical, economic and
ecological sense to do so. More information can be found on our website.
In 2018, Bayer’s supplier portfolio changed as a result of the acquisition of Monsanto and the
divestment of the vegetable seed and digital farming businesses. The acquired agriculture busi-
ness’s procurement area is already part of Bayer’s Procurement function for organizational pur-
poses. Until the integration into Bayer processes has been completed, this part of the procure-
ment organization will continue to apply its existing procurement and supplier management
processes and existing procurement directive.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
63
1.5 Procurement and Supplier Management
The following table provides relevant data on our procurement activities (including of the acquired
agriculture business).
Procurement Activities
Procurement spend in € billion
Spend in OECD countries (mainly Germany and U.S.A.) in € billion
Spend in non-OECD countries (mainly Brazil, India and China) in € billion
Number of suppliers
1
of which from OECD countries
of which from non-OECD countries
Number of countries
A 1.5/1
2018
17.1
13.5
3.6
101,188
68,900
32,288
153
2017
14.9
12.2
2.7
93,330
64,827
28,503
148
Bayer AG key data:
see also A 1.7
1 Due to the integration of the acquired agriculture business (Monsanto), there may be duplication in the number of suppliers.
Supplier consolidation is planned for 2019.
Our selection of suppliers takes account of all types of suppliers and supplier diversity, as sup-
ported, for example, by our supplier diversity programs in the United States.
Established procurement processes and long-term contracts
Procurement operates according to established procurement and supplier management pro-
cesses. Long-term contracts and active supplier management for strategically important goods
and services are important elements here. They serve to minimize procurement-specific risks such
as supply bottlenecks or significant price fluctuations, as well as to safeguard the company’s
competitiveness and ensure smooth production processes. Bayer works closely together with
selected suppliers to systematically involve them in innovation processes.
Bayer purchases locally wherever possible in order to respond promptly to the requirements of our
sites, thereby simultaneously strengthening local economies. In 2018, this applied to 74% (2017:
71%) of our procurement spend at our significant locations of operation, and to 74% (2017: 71%)
of procurement spend in all countries worldwide.
Local procurement,
significant locations of
operation:
see Glossary
Sustainability in the supply chain
Clear, sustainability-oriented criteria and standards apply to our supply chain at both a global and
regional level. Bayer regards adherence to these criteria and standards as a crucial value-adding
factor and a lever for minimizing risks.
A four-step process is thus established throughout the company to improve sustainability practic-
es in the supply chain, comprising the elements awareness-raising and supplier nomination, per-
formance evaluation and development. This process is centrally steered by the Sustainability team
in Procurement and implemented through cross-functional cooperation between the Procurement
and the Corporate Health, Safety & Sustainability functions. The newly acquired part of the pro-
curement organization will continue to use its existing processes for sustainability in procurement
until integration into the Bayer processes has been fully implemented.
Sustainability requirements defined in the Supplier Code of Conduct
Our sustainability requirements are established in the Bayer Supplier Code of Conduct, which is
based on our Bayer Human Rights Policy and the principles of the U.N. Global Compact. The
code is available in 14 languages and covers the areas of ethics, labor, health, safety, environment
and quality, and management systems. The code is applied in the selection and evaluation of our
suppliers and is integrated into electronic ordering systems and contracts throughout the Bayer
Group. Furthermore, Bayer’s standard supply contracts contain a clause that authorizes Bayer to
verify suppliers’ compliance with our sustainability requirements.
The acquired agriculture business’s supplier code of conduct still applies to existing supplier rela-
tionships and its content largely corresponds with that of Bayer’s own code. A new joint code of
conduct will be published at the beginning of 2019.
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Bayer Annual Report 2018
www.tfs-initiative.com
https://pscinitiative.org
Evaluating the sustainability performance of our suppliers
Starting in 2019, we plan to integrate the suppliers gained through the acquisition into Bayer’s
processes for evaluating sustainability performance, which include the EcoVadis online assess-
ments and on-site audits by external and Bayer auditors. To date, the acquired agriculture busi-
ness’s procurement organization has used supplier surveys and audits to review the sustainability
performance of its suppliers. Since these processes are not comparable with those of Bayer, the
following information for 2018 does not yet include the acquired agriculture business.
Bayer verifies the observance of the code requirements by its suppliers through online assess-
ments or on-site audits. Suppliers are selected for these reviews at the beginning of the year on
the basis of their strategic importance and a sustainability risk analysis combining country and
category risks. In 2018, there were 248 strategically important suppliers with a procurement
spend of €4.84 billion. In addition, there were 238 suppliers with an increased sustainability risk
and a significant procurement spend (> €1 million p.a.). Of these 486 suppliers, we evaluated
those that did not yet have valid sustainability evaluation.
The number of assessed and audited suppliers also includes a major proportion of the suppliers
with a sustainability risk and procurement spend of > €500,000, those for which evaluations were
performed through our industry initiatives Together for Sustainability (TfS) and the Pharmaceutical
Supply Chain Initiative (PSCI), and suppliers who have proactively allowed themselves to be evalu-
ated.
In total, our service provider EcoVadis assessed 715 (2017: 622) suppliers on our behalf in 2018.
The online assessment criteria of EcoVadis correspond to the requirements of our code and also
take into account country- and industry-specific conditions and supplier size.
In 2018, we arranged for 79 (2017: 57) of our suppliers to be audited on site by external, inde-
pendent auditors. The audit criteria included both the specifications of our code and the industry-
specific requirements of the TfS and PSCI industry initiatives. These initiatives are designed to
help standardize the sustainability requirements for suppliers in the chemical and pharmaceutical
industries. Such standardization is furthered by the mutual recognition and exchange of assess-
ment and audit results. Bayer auditors evaluate selected new and existing suppliers with a focus
on health, safety and environmental protection. These audits are performed on suppliers with
significant risk potential as regards substances, production processes, occupational safety or
environmental factors, for example, and on toll or contract manufacturers in countries at increased
risk. In 2018, 130 (2017: 115) suppliers were evaluated by Bayer auditors.
Assessments and Audits of Bayer Suppliers
Sustainability assessments
1 via the EcoVadis platform
Sustainability audits
2 by external auditors
HSE
3 audits by Bayer auditors
A 1.5/2
2017
2018
622
57
115
715
79
130
1 Initial and re-assessments of suppliers working for Bayer; initiated by Bayer and shared via EcoVadis as part of the TfS initiative
2 Initial and follow-up audits of suppliers working for Bayer; initiated by Bayer and shared as part of the TfS and PSCI initiatives
3 Health, safety, environment
The online assessments and on-site audits are analyzed and documented so that specific im-
provement measures can be defined with the suppliers in the case of critical results. In 2018,
suppliers who had undergone online assessments by EcoVadis demonstrated need for improve-
ment in particular in the categories of sustainable procurement and the environment, while those
who had been audited required improvement in occupational health and safety. A supplier re-
ceives a critical result if a serious violation or several major findings in sustainability performance
are identified. In 2018, this applied to 17 suppliers (2% of all assessed and audited suppliers;
2017: 3% (20)). In these cases, Bayer requests that the suppliers remedy the identified weakness-
es within an appropriate timeframe based on specific action plans. We monitor the implementation
of these activities by way of re-assessments or follow-up audits. Bayer reserves the right to termi-
Bayer Annual Report 2018
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65
1.6 Safety for People and the Environment
nate a supplier relationship if no improvement is observed during a re-evaluation. In 2018, Bayer
had to end one supplier relationship due solely to sustainability performance.
Our regular monitoring shows that 343 (2017: 348) of the 794 (2017: 679) Bayer suppliers evalu-
ated in 2018 improved their sustainability performance.
Training measures and dialogue on the issue of sustainability
We offer our suppliers a wide range of development and dialogue opportunities. In 2018, to
make the operational implementation of our Supplier Code of Conduct more comprehensible, we
developed a Supplier Sustainability Guidance. The first instruction session on its implementation
was held at a Bayer Supplier Day in Brazil. The industry initiatives TfS and PSCI offer additional
advanced training modules for our suppliers through the TfS Supplier Academy and the PSCI
Sustainability Webinars. They also organized training courses and workshops for suppliers in India
and China in 2018.
GRI 102-43
In 2018, Bayer joined together with 10 other industrial companies under the umbrella of econ-
sense to form the German Business Initiative for Sustainable Value Chains. In the selected
procurement markets China and Mexico, suppliers were trained locally in sustainable business
practices over a nine-month period.
We also support our procurement employees in the implementation of our sustainability require-
ments with targeted Group-wide training measures.
1.6 Safety for People and the Environment
Transparency initiative: publication of safety studies on crop protection
products
Safety first: prevention of accidents and incidents has top priority
Environmental and safety KPIs: successful integration of acquired
agriculture business
We prioritize the quality and safety of our products, the safe and responsible operation of our
production facilities and the protection of our employees, the people who live near our sites and
the environment.
Responsibility for health, safety, environmental protection and quality (HSEQ) lies with the member
of the Board of Management responsible for Human Resources, Technology and Sustainability.
HSEQ management systems are integrated into business processes across the Bayer Group.
Responsibility for steering and control lies with two corporate functions: “Corporate Health, Safety
& Sustainability” and “Quality.” These stipulate responsibilities, targets, key performance indicators
and framework conditions, such as the new corporate policy entitled “HSE Key Requirements.”
www.bayer.com/hse-
key-requirements
As the HSE systems and standards at Bayer and the acquired agriculture business are compara-
ble, we are able to report safety and environmental data for the Bayer Group including the ac-
quired agriculture business from the closing date of June 7, 2018, unless otherwise indicated.
Until the integration has been fully implemented, the existing HSE rules, systems and processes
and the HSE audit system of the acquired agriculture business will remain in force.
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Bayer Annual Report 2018
Operational responsibility lies with the individual segments, which steer HSEQ via management
systems, committees and working groups. All relevant HSEQ performance indicators from our
environmentally relevant production sites are compiled in a Bayer-wide site information system
(BaySIS). All sites with an annual energy consumption of more than 1.5 terajoules count as envi-
ronmentally relevant. The continuous review and revision of corporate policies by the corporate
functions, regular mandatory internal audits and external certification processes ensure that the
systems at all production sites effectively meet the specific requirements in each case. The excel-
lent performance of our HSEQ management systems also reduces running costs by avoiding
damage and disruptions to work and production.
Unusual incidents such as hazards to the safety of our employees, plants or facilities are record-
ed and reported according to a globally applicable standard procedure, the Bayer Emergency
Response System, which is part of the Group-wide safety and crisis management system in
which the sites of the acquired agriculture business are already integrated. The handling of such
incidents is the responsibility of the local crisis organization or emergency response team. For
this purpose, organizational precautions with defined responsibilities and procedures have been
implemented at the sites and / or in the countries. Depending on the situation, these involve busi-
ness partners and the local community around the sites.
Environmentally relevant
sites: see Glossary
Standards and certifications
Our HSE management systems are based on recognized international standards. With regard to
coverage based on energy consumption, 85.0% of our environmentally relevant sites were certi-
fied externally to at least one internationally recognized standard for environmental and occupa-
tional safety management. Compliance with the statutory requirements and relevant standards is
regularly audited by internal experts, regulatory authorities and external consultants.
Standards and Certifications
% of business activities based on energy consumption
2017
2018
A 1.6/1
Certification to external standards
ISO 14001 certification / EMAS validation
ISO 45001 / OHSAS 18001 certification
ISO 50001 certification
Degree of coverage with certification to at least one of the above standards
92
91
74
92
82
64
49
85
1.6.1 Product Stewardship
Product stewardship means for us that our products satisfy the highest quality standards and are
safe for people, animals and the environment when properly used. We respect legal requirements,
and our voluntary commitment and internal standards go beyond these in various areas.
The general processes and conditions of the acquired agriculture business are comparable with
those of Bayer. Responsibilities and implementation are handled locally in many cases, however,
and are not centrally documented. As a result, these processes are not directly comparable with
those of Bayer, which is why the following cross-segment information does not include the ac-
quired agriculture business. However, the sector-specific data for Crop Science does include the
acquired agriculture business.
Assessments and testing
Our substances and finished products undergo extensive assessment and testing regarding prod-
uct safety. We examine possible health and environmental risks along the entire value chain and
use this to derive appropriate measures to mitigate risks.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
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67
1.6 Safety for People and the Environment
We assess the properties of our substances and active ingredients already at the research and
development stage. We discontinue the development of those with undesirable properties in
application of the precautionary principle as defined in Principle 15 of the Rio Declaration of the
United Nations and Communication COM (2000) 1 of the European Commission.
We also conduct environmental risk assessments or implement risk management measures for
our active ingredients subsequent to their registration. Moreover, we help to tackle questions
about the impact of active ingredients in the environment and ensure that concerns are addressed
through sound risk assessments and analyses. To this end, we have established a risk-benefit
assessment process for active ingredients that adequately considers customer needs relative to
potential or known environmental risks.
We carry out the risk assessments for our substances according to recognized scientific methods
such as those described in the Guidance on Information Requirements and Chemical Safety As-
sessment of the ECHA (European Chemicals Agency). Should the analysis reveal that the use of a
certain substance is not safe, we take steps to mitigate risk. These can vary from revised applica-
tion recommendations to substitution of a substance. In this case, a replacement that is economi-
cally and technically viable needs to be sought. The applicable assessment steps are established
in a corporate policy.
We also monitor all our products that are already available on the market. For this purpose, we
have established processes throughout the company aimed at addressing inquiries on product
safety or problems with our products. This feedback is integrated into our risk assessment.
Information on substances and products
Bayer compiles safety data sheets for all chemical substances regardless of whether or not this is
required by law. Targeting professional users, they contain information on a substance’s properties
and on its safe use. In addition, technical information is provided for professional use. All end
consumer products contain appropriate information in their packaging, an example being package
inserts for pharmaceuticals.
In accordance with the respective product safety and information obligations, we compile product
information both for raw materials and for intermediates and end products and make this infor-
mation available across the company worldwide.
General conditions
Extensive legal regulations apply to all Bayer products. Chemical substances are subject to the
respective national chemical regulations (e.g. REACH in the European Union or TSCA in the
United States). The classification and labeling of chemicals enables users to become informed
about the risks associated with chemicals. Bayer implements the Globally Harmonized System
(GHS) for the classification and labeling of chemicals worldwide.
www.echa.europa.eu/
reach
www.epa.gov/chemicals
-under-tsca
Furthermore, the finished products such as pharmaceuticals, crop protection products and bio-
cides are subject to specific and detailed approval procedures.
Biocides: see Glossary
Authorities in the European Union enforce the implementation of obligations resulting from chemi-
cals legislation through regular inspections. For this reason, we require our suppliers to
acknowledge conformity with REACH for all supplied substances.
We voluntarily apply comparable standards around the world, independent of the respective na-
tional legislation. We are successively assessing the hazard potential of all substances (> 99%) we
use in quantities exceeding one metric ton per annum. By the end of 2018, we had assessed 85%
(2017: 76%) of these substances. Starting in 2019, the substances used in these quantities by the
acquired agriculture business will be included in the assessment.
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www.icca-chem.org/
responsible-care/
GxP: see Glossary
Commitment
We are actively engaged in product stewardship activities through our work in relevant associa-
tions and initiatives. Since 1994, Bayer has supported the voluntary Responsible Care™ initiative
of the chemical industry and the associated Responsible Care™ Global Charter. We actively par-
ticipate in the further development of scientific risk assessment and are involved in several associ-
ations, such as the European (CEFIC), U.S. (ACC) and international (ICCA) chemical industry as-
sociations and the OECD, as well as in initiatives such as European Centre for Ecotoxicology and
Toxicology of Chemicals (ECETOC). We also support the Strategic Approach to International
Chemicals Management (SAICM) with the goal of further minimizing negative effects of chemicals
on the environment and human health through 2020.
Quality management
The Quality corporate function ensures uniform quality standards across all segments and func-
tions along with the continuous improvement of all quality-related processes. The quality require-
ments derived from regulatory requirements, permits and authorizations, relevant standards of
nongovernmental organizations and industry associations and customer expectations are regularly
reviewed and integrated into an internal quality management system. Compliance with the statuto-
ry requirements, relevant standards in production and registered product specifications is regularly
audited by internal experts, regulatory authorities and external assessors. These audits also cover
institutes subcontracted by Bayer, service providers and our suppliers.
Our segments have quality management systems based on sector-specific international stan-
dards. We indicate the degree of coverage with this kind of certification in relation to the reference
parameter energy consumption. In 2018, 67.9% of our production sites had a certified quality
management system (2017: 75.4%, excluding the acquired agriculture business).
Quality management of segments
The quality management system of the Pharmaceuticals and Consumer Health segments forms
the basis for the highest possible safety standards in the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and
medical devices, which are subject to strict quality requirements. It is based on internationally
recognized standards such as ISO (e.g. ISO 9001, 17025 and 13485) and ICH (International
Conference on Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals
for Human Use), as well as on rules for good working practices (GxP) in the development and
manufacture of pharmaceuticals, such as Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Good Distribu-
tion Practices (GDP) and Good Clinical Practices (GCP).
Our veterinary medicine products also comply with stringent GxP quality standards stipulated in
the relevant statutory requirements applying to development, approval, manufacture, marketing
and safety monitoring. According to these, safety is to be ensured for the animals to be treated,
people and the environment alike.
Product manufacture at Crop Science (including the acquired agriculture business) is performed
according to ISO 9001. Our products are authorized by the relevant national authorities and
thus fulfill the respective requirements with regard to quality and user safety.
Responsible use of biotechnology
Bayer applies biotechnology both in the area of seeds and in pharmaceutical product develop-
ment and production, such as for Kogenate™ and Kovaltry™. Further biotechnologically manufac-
tured active ingredients are undergoing clinical development. In plant cultivation, we use genetic
engineering as well as conventional breeding methods to improve crop yields, yield security and
the stress tolerance of plants without increasing the input of resources.
For Bayer, safety for people and the environment is a priority in the use of biotechnology. In addi-
tion to meeting legal and regulatory requirements, Bayer has specified the responsible use of
genetic engineering and strict, globally applicable safety measures in handling biological sub-
stances in corresponding corporate policies. We provide our stakeholders with information about
our products and services in accordance with our Responsible Marketing & Sales Policy.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
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69
1.6 Safety for People and the Environment
Our commitment to preserving biodiversity
In the course of our business activities, we aim to use natural resources responsibly and respect
biodiversity. Our principles on biodiversity are set forth in both the Bayer Human Rights Policy and
our own position on this issue. In this, we express our commitment to the United Nations Conven-
tion on Biological Diversity and the associated Nagoya Protocol, which regulates the balanced and
fair sharing of the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. Segment-specific measures
are applied to implement this.
Biodiversity in the segments
Crop Science commits itself through a directive to acquire and use genetic resources only in
harmony with international and national legislation. At the same time, Crop Science is commit-
ted to the preservation and improvement of crop plants and to the equitable distribution of ac-
cess to their utilization. We support sustainable agriculture that takes account of people’s nutri-
tional needs and safeguards farmers’ livelihoods, while at the same time conserving a healthy
environment. In this context, Crop Science promotes and supports ecological enhancement
measures in agriculture and the recovery and protection of natural and semi-natural habitats.
Together with farmers and scientific experts, we are working to find solutions to preserve biodi-
versity. At the Bayer ForwardFarms, we demonstrate how sustainable agriculture can be real-
ized in practice.
Bayer is a member of the Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies and sup-
ports its position on the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity. An internal position on plant-
based medications documents how natural substances can be used with respect to compli-
ance with the Convention on Biological Diversity.
When planning new production sites, Bayer takes into account that they must not be set up in
areas that are statutorily protected with regard to their natural characteristics, biodiversity or other
factors. Due to our portfolio changes in 2018, we will undertake an updated comparison of the
geographical coordinates of our production sites against those of internationally recognized pro-
tected areas in 2019.
Commitment to animal welfare
Animal studies are legally required and essential from a scientific viewpoint for assessing the safe-
ty and efficacy of our products. We aim to minimize the use of study animals and to employ alter-
native methods whenever possible. Responsibility for animal welfare at Bayer including in the
acquired agriculture business lies with the Bayer Global Animal Welfare Committee. The acquired
agriculture business’s own animal welfare principles and processes will remain valid until the newly
acquired sites have been fully integrated into Bayer’s existing animal study and animal welfare
processes. Unless indicated otherwise, the information below therefore refers to Bayer excluding
the acquired agriculture business.
Bayer participates in international validation programs to find replacement methods, such as a
process to record the estrogenic effects of crop protection products that forgoes the use of rats.
In early drug screening, furthermore, Bayer continuously establishes different computer-based and
in-vitro processes that help to reduce the number of animal studies or the impact on animals in
subsequent testing.
www.forward
farming.com
www.vfa.de
We respect all legal requirements pertaining to animal welfare, compliance with which is verified
both by regulatory authorities and through internal audits. In addition, Bayer’s principles on animal
welfare and animal studies apply. Bayer’s Global Animal Welfare Committee monitors compliance
with these principles within the Bayer Group and in external studies. Our principles also apply to
both the research institutes we commission and our suppliers, whose compliance with our animal
welfare requirements we regularly monitor.
www.animalstudies.
bayer.com
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Commitment to reducing animal studies
Based on performance indicators, we each year analyze the development of animal numbers,
the distribution according to species and the impact on our test animals, while evaluating stud-
ies and discussing possible steps in accordance with the 3Rs principle (replace, reduce, refine).
The number of study animals used (including animals in Bayer studies performed by contract
research organizations) was reduced in the last 10 years from 64 animals per €1 million of re-
search and development spending in 2009 to 30 animals in 2018. These figures include the
acquired agriculture business since closing. We participate in several internationally renowned
consortia and projects that aim to reduce the number of animals used in studies and to im-
prove the studies’ validity.
Protection against product counterfeiting
Counterfeit products harbor substantial risks for patients and consumers. Through the Beware of
Counterfeits campaign, Bayer is taking up the fight against counterfeit pharmaceuticals together
with public authorities in Germany and abroad. The website of the same name contains infor-
mation on the risks of counterfeit pharmaceuticals and offers patients tips on how to protect
themselves. Crop Science has also implemented a global strategy to combat product piracy that
is based on close cooperation with crop protection and law enforcement authorities. On the
Counterfeits in Agriculture website, we provide information on how to identify counterfeit and
illegal crop protection products or seeds and what risks they harbor, while giving farmers tips on
how to protect themselves against counterfeiting.
Product counterfeiting can only be addressed internationally through a joint approach by industry,
associations, governmental agencies and nongovernmental organizations. We advocate the reso-
lute application and, where necessary, the strengthening and expansion of existing laws and pro-
visions that serve to enable the identification and confiscation of illegal products. We support
these efforts through extensive measures of our own in the areas of production and packaging
that are designed to enable users and customers to distinguish original from counterfeit products.
Pharmaceuticals and Consumer Health
Benefit-risk management for pharmaceuticals and medicinal products
The Pharmaceuticals and Consumer Health segments continuously assess the medical benefit-
risk profile of their pharmaceuticals, medicinal products, dietary supplements and cosmetics
throughout their entire product life cycle. The efficacy, safety and tolerability of pharmaceuticals
are investigated in preclinical and Phase I to III clinical development studies. The documentation
submitted to the regulatory authorities contains the results of these studies and a comprehensive
benefit-risk assessment of the pharmaceutical. It is essential for the market authorization of a new
pharmaceutical that it comply with regulatory safety requirements. The same applies to medicinal
products, dietary supplements and cosmetics.
According to these regulations, we continue to compile safety-relevant information in a dedicated
database following market launch of the product. This information is continuously assessed and
the benefit-risk profile of pharmaceuticals, medicinal products, dietary supplements and cosmet-
ics regularly evaluated by medical experts of various disciplines in the global Pharmacovigilance
Department. In this process, we work closely with the regulatory and supervisory authorities at the
international and national levels. Further safety-relevant information is compiled using Post-
Authorization Safety Studies (PASS) conducted after approval. The results are entered into the
PASS registry in compliance with E.U. pharmacovigilance legislation.
3Rs principle:
see Glossary
www.bayer.com/en/
beware-of-
counterfeits.aspx
www.bayer.com/en/
counterfeits-in-
agriculture.aspx
The most important
regulatory authorities for
Bayer are:
– the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration
(FDA)
– the European Medi-
cines Agency (EMA)
– the Pharmaceuticals
and Medical Devices
Agency in Japan
(PMDA)
– the China Food and
Drug Administration
(CFDA)
Pharmacovigilance:
see Glossary
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71
1.6 Safety for People and the Environment
Global pharmaceutical monitoring system
Pharmaceuticals and Consumer Health have a global pharmaceutical monitoring system in
which experts from various disciplines work together in safety management teams (SMTs).
These teams evaluate internal benefit and safety data, clinical trials, post-marketing studies,
external databases and scientific publications to identify potential safety concerns at an early
stage and detect possible changes in the benefit-risk profile. All data evaluated is entered in
our pharmacovigilance database. In particular, the evaluation includes potential side-effects
reported both to us as a producer and to the health authorities via various communication
channels and stakeholders such as physicians, pharmacists and patients themselves. Produc-
ers evaluate the steps resulting from these reports in close cooperation with the relevant health
authorities.
Should risks be identified, we immediately take steps to safeguard the health of patients and
consumers in coordination with the authorities. These measures range from updating product
information for patients, users, pharmacists and physicians through patient education bro-
chures and further training measures for medical specialists to direct communication with med-
ical experts (Direct Healthcare Professional Communication, DHPC) and even product with-
drawals. All of these processes are documented, regularly updated and integrated into the
quality management system.
Implementation of risk mitigation activities is coordinated by our local SMTs in the country or-
ganizations. The information on the side-effects of medicines that we compile is reported to the
national health authorities in the relevant countries, where it is processed. As processes in the
European Union are centralized, European marketing authorization holders such as Bayer are
now required to enter all suspected cases of undesired side-effects directly in EudraVigilance,
the European Medicines Agency’s electronic information system.
Analysis of residues of pharmaceuticals in the environment
Active pharmaceutical ingredients can enter the environment through human or animal excreta,
through improper disposal or during production. Surface waters are particularly relevant here. For
their own active ingredients, Pharmaceuticals and Consumer Health carry out ecotoxicological
investigations of pharmaceutical residues and degradation products to assess the potential envi-
ronmental impact of these products. In connection with the approval process for human and vet-
erinary pharmaceuticals in Europe and the United States, an environmental risk assessment takes
place for all new active ingredients. Furthermore, to our knowledge, the existing concentrations of
individual active pharmaceutical ingredients in drinking water do not have any relevant adverse
effects on human health. According to its report on mixtures of active pharmaceutical ingredients
in drinking water published in 2017, the WHO currently does not identify any immediate health
risks and consequently sees no need to act in the short term. To further guarantee the safety of
drinking water resources partly against the background of a potential increase in the use of phar-
maceuticals, the WHO recommends that all aspects of this issue be observed over a longer period
of time.
Compliance with the relevant wastewater thresholds at our production sites worldwide is reviewed
by supervisory authorities and external assessors and also at regular intervals through on-site
audits by internal experts. To reduce or exclude the release of active ingredients into the environ-
ment, we take further action in our production facilities. We are also participating actively in vari-
ous research projects to develop further reduction measures such as by acting as a coordinator in
the “Intelligence-led Assessment of Pharmaceuticals in the Environment” project in Europe, which
seeks new ways to improve environmental risk assessment. Moreover, Bayer is involved in the
stakeholder dialogue initiated by the German government with the goal of developing a strategy
for dealing with trace substances in bodies of water.
www.i-pie.org
www.dialog-
spurenstoffstrategie.de
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www.isaaa.org
Crop Science
Focusing on product safety
Product safety and environmental compatibility play a key role in the development of crop protec-
tion products and technologies to ensure that their use is safe for people, wildlife and the envi-
ronment. They therefore require official approval, which is governed by numerous international and
national laws and regulations. Crop Science satisfies all the regulatory requirements of the coun-
tries in which our products are sold.
The development and commercialization of genetically improved seed is also subject to stringent
international and national laws and regulations. We have additionally established internal process-
es to ensure the responsible use of biotechnologically manufactured products throughout their life
cycle. Furthermore, in 2018, Crop Science maintained its membership in the Excellence Through
Stewardship (ETS) organization. Audits by ETS-certified auditors are required to maintain ETS
membership. In 2018, facilities involved in plant biotechnology product development in the United
States and Brazil were recertified by ETS-certified external auditors.
Processes in plant biotechnology
According to information from the nonprofit organization ISAAA (International Service for the
Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications), genetically modified crops are grown on more than
190 million hectares in over 24 countries. GMOs are developed using transgenesis, whereby a
copy of a gene of interest from a nonrelated organism is added to improve the plant. They have
delivered strong agronomic, economic and environmental benefits since they were introduced
to agriculture in the 1990s. GMOs can help farmers manage difficult growing conditions better
and increase productivity by protecting harvests from pests and weeds while using fewer natu-
ral resources. They offer economic growth opportunities for farmers, especially for small-scale
producers in less developed parts of the world. The safety of biotech crops has been confirmed
by more than a thousand studies and third-party peer reviews overseen by regulators in 67
countries.
Gene editing is another modern approach largely based on improving plants’ existing genetics,
for example by switching off a negative effect or amplifying a plant’s ability to thrive in drought
or nutrient-poor conditions or to produce more nutrient-rich vitamins. Modern plant breeding
methods including CRISPR can be used to more efficiently and more precisely develop the new
crop varieties needed to sustainably secure a safe, affordable and healthy food supply.
We already examine our crop protection products during the early development phase, with re-
gard to their mode of action, their (eco)toxicological properties and the extent of potential residues
in plants and the environment, in tests required by law. Each new crop protection active ingredient
undergoes a thorough safety assessment and suitable scientific studies and testing. Furthermore,
Bayer has made a voluntary commitment to market only those crop protection products whose
active ingredients are registered in at least one OECD country or, in the case of new active ingre-
dients, for which an OECD data package has been compiled.
www.cropscience-
transparency.bayer.com
Bayer aims to strengthen our customers’ and stakeholders’ confidence in our products through
transparency and is therefore the first company in its industry to make safety-relevant data on
crop protection products publicly available. More than 230 summaries of scientific studies submit-
ted in connection with the registration procedures for our active ingredients in the European Union
are already available on an online platform. These reports include information on toxicological and
ecotoxicological studies and investigations into degradability.
In its sale and application of crop protection products and technologies, Crop Science observes
the International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management of the United Nations Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO). The principles of our responsible product handling are established
in our Product Stewardship Policy and implemented in the Product Stewardship Program.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
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73
1.6 Safety for People and the Environment
Users of our products can contact Crop Science through a range of communication channels
should they have complaints or feedback or wish to report any incidents. These include direct
contact with our sales staff; our standard hotlines, which are printed on all our product packaging;
and, in Germany for example, the “Agrar Telefon” expert hotline.
The targeted use of crop protection products is crucial when it is a matter of minimizing discharge
outside of the treated crops. To support the safe use of its products in agricultural practice, Crop
Science is particularly committed to protecting users and the environment.
Training customers and partners
In dedicated training courses, we teach farmers, seed treatment professionals and dealers how to
use our products effectively and safely and thus increase the yield and quality of their harvested
goods. Our objective is to increase the outreach of our training activities worldwide.
Training farmers and Bayer employees
In 2018, Bayer trained one million farmers around the world in the safe handling of crop protec-
tion products. The majority of these training activities took place as part of customer events, as
safety training is an integral part of our business activities. The data for 2018 does not yet in-
clude the acquired agriculture business. Additional training was conducted in cooperation with
partners such as local, regional and international associations.
Bayer focuses on training activities in countries where there are no statutory requirements
or certification for users regarding the safe handling of crop protection products. Bayer also or-
ganizes safety training for its own employees and contract workers from outside companies, in
particular for sales force employees. We also train farmers in various technical areas such as
resistance management and the correct use of products such as XtendiMax™ with
VaporGrip™ technology and dicamba. More than 25,000 users in the United States completed
certification mandated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2018.
Impact of crop protection products on the environment
Bayer Bee Care: strengthening bee health
Bees and other pollinators are important for sustainable food production. Promoting the health of
pollinators and sustainable agriculture is therefore of tremendous importance for our business.
Our Bee Care Program is a central industry platform to promote bee health. Through this, we want
to create a balance between promoting the health, safety and biodiversity of pollinators and opti-
mizing agricultural productivity. We contribute our experience in crop protection and animal health
to numerous projects and partnerships with the goal of protecting and improving pollinator health.
We operate a global Bee Care network and a Bee Care Center in Germany to promote dialogue
on the topic of pollinator protection with all stakeholder groups.
Bee safety and crop protection products
To minimize risks posed to bees by our crop protection products, we perform extensive safety
testing, risk assessments and product stewardship measures and develop bee-friendly crop pro-
tection products and processes. The first tests to measure bee toxicity are conducted already at
the development stage.
www.beecare.bayer.com
We are also convinced that neonicotinoids are insecticides with a favorable environmental safety
profile and are not dangerous to bee colonies when used according to label instructions.
Neonicotinoids:
see Glossary
Glyphosate helps to control weeds and contributes to sustainable farming
Glyphosate is a nonselective herbicide that is frequently used in several markets globally for effec-
tive and at the same time simple and cost-effective weed control management. This active ingre-
dient was first introduced in 1974 and has since been marketed under a number of different
tradenames in hundreds of crop protection products around the world by several dozen different
companies. In Europe, most glyphosate-based herbicides are used according to the label to con-
trol weeds in production fields of a wide range of crops. Some glyphosate-based products can be
used according to the label to control weeds in gardens and noncultivated areas, such as indus-
trial complexes and along railway tracks.
74
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1.6 Safety for People and the Environment
Bayer Annual Report 2018
www.here-are-the-
facts.com
See also Note 29 to
B Consolidated Financial
Statements
www.bayer.com/water-
protection
Glyphosate works in plants by specifically inhibiting an enzyme that is essential to plant growth.
This enzyme is not found in cells of humans or animals. Glyphosate has a 40-year history of safe
use when used according to label directions. This is confirmed by science-based evaluations
conducted by regulatory bodies and other scientific institutions such as the U.S. Environmental
Protection Authority (EPA) as well as the Canadian Department of Health, Health Canada, which in
January 2019 confirmed that “[n]o pesticide regulatory authority in the world currently considers
glyphosate to be a cancer risk to humans at the levels at which humans are currently exposed.”
We offer extensive information on the public debate surrounding the safety of glyphosate for users
and the environment on our website. More information on the lawsuits against Bayer in the United
States can be found in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
Model projects for water protection in agriculture
Crop Science develops strategies and solutions to support the agriculture industry in sustainable
water pollution mitigation. We recommend that farmers use biological remediation systems, for
example, such as Phytobac™. We are also developing a digital geoinformation system for agricul-
ture with external partners to prevent discharges into water bodies of substances through erosion
and runoff processes on agricultural land and a closed discharge system for liquid crop protection
products.
Animal Health
Safety standards for animal health products
In line with statutory requirements, strict safety and quality standards also apply to animal health
products and biocides. Within the scope of the approval / authorization procedures, Animal Health
carries out detailed studies in order to ensure the safety of its products for the treated animals,
people and the environment.
A particular focus lies on monitoring veterinary pharmaceutical safety and on activities aimed at
responsible product usage. In line with our Prudent Use Policy, we support the responsible use
of antibiotics and promote their proper usage, for example through strict guidelines. We also
work on the development of alternative strategies to antimicrobial treatment. We market
Zelnate™, a nonantibiotic immunostimulant. We continuously compile all safety-relevant infor-
mation such as reports of suspected adverse effects of pharmaceuticals in our global safety
database. This information is evaluated and reported to the responsible authorities in accordance
with national regulations.
1.6.2 Occupational, Plant and Transportation Safety
Bayer puts safety first and preventing accidents and incidents is a top priority – in day-to-day
work, in the operation of production facilities, and on work-related travel and transportation routes
where people or the environment may suffer harm or damage.
Occupational health and safety
Safeguarding the occupational health and safety of our employees, and of the employees of con-
tractors and suppliers on our company premises and under the supervision of Bayer, is one of our
core tasks. This entails preventing work-related accidents and occupational illnesses, assessing
potential hazards, ensuring comprehensive risk management and creating a healthy working envi-
ronment.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
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75
1.6 Safety for People and the Environment
The basis of our reporting on occupational injuries is the Recordable Incident Rate (RIR), which
covers all injuries to employees leading to medical treatment that goes beyond simple first aid.
This includes injuries and occupational illnesses both with and without lost workdays. In 2018,
the RIR fell to 0.39 cases per 200,000 hours worked, corresponding to 518 occupational injuries
worldwide. This means that, in statistical terms, one recordable incident occurred for more than
every 500,000 hours worked. Recordable injuries with lost workdays constituted 306 of the total
of 518 occupational injuries, meaning that the corresponding parameter, the Lost Time Recordable
Incident Rate (LTRIR), dropped to 0.24 in 2018.
Regrettably, two people lost their lives in work-related accidents in 2018. These comprised one
Bayer employee and one employee of a subcontractor.
Recordable Occupational Injuries
1
Rate of occupational injuries (RIR
2)
Rate of occupational injuries with lost workdays (LTRIR
3)
Fatal injuries 4
A 1.6.2/1
2018
0.39
0.24
2
2017
0.45
0.28
0
Bayer AG key data:
see also A 1.7
1 The figures include employees working for third parties whose accidents occurred on our company premises and under Bayer
supervision.
2 RIR = Recordable Incident Rate
3 LTRIR = Lost Time Recordable Incident Rate
4 One Bayer employee and one employee of a subcontractor
Occupational illnesses
Occupational illnesses are included in the parameters RIR and LTRIR, regardless of whether
or not they are listed in national registers of occupational diseases. As lists of occupational
diseases are not globally standardized and in many countries do not exist at all, we docu-
ment all occupational illnesses, provided they have been diagnosed and recognized by
a physician. In 2018, 34 new cases of occupational illnesses were reported throughout the
Bayer Group. These were related to the musculoskeletal system and heat-related illnesses
resulting from work outdoors, among other issues.
Rate of Occupational Injuries (RIR) by Region
1
Europe / Middle East / Africa
North America
Asia / Pacific
Latin America
Total
A 1.6.2/2
2018
0.45
0.71
0.15
0.28
0.39
2017
0.54
0.70
0.17
0.54
0.45
1 The figures include employees working for third parties whose accidents occurred on our company premises and under Bayer
supervision.
Workplaces at Bayer are regularly subject to a health-related risk assessment and a hazard
analysis on a comprehensive basis. These analyses are used to derive measures that, in con-
junction with targeted studies, are designed to prevent occupational illnesses. Alongside the
country-specific regulations on mandatory examinations, we offer our employees regular medi-
cal examinations – in some cases on a mandatory basis – in all countries in which this is legally
permissible. The focus here is on the risks that exist at each workplace.
In 2018, as in previous years, we hardly recorded any accidents (less than 3.0%) involving contact
with chemicals. A significant proportion of the accidents and injuries suffered by our employees
have behavior-linked causes. Our Behavioral Safety Program is addressing this challenge with
suitable training measures. More than 12,000 employees have been trained at 139 sites world-
wide since 2015. Significant behavioral improvements were achieved in areas in which the pro-
gram has already been implemented, and the Recordable Incident Rate is therefore expected to
76
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Bayer Annual Report 2018
decline across the Bayer Group in the medium term. The initiative is to be extended to the sites of
the acquired agriculture business from 2019.
Process and plant safety
We aim to design and operate our processes and production facilities in such a way that they do
not pose any inappropriate risks to employees, the environment or neighboring communities.
Therefore, we are continually working to further develop the safety culture, the expertise of em-
ployees and the globally applicable corporate policies on process and plant safety, which pre-
scribe uniform processes and standards for identifying risks and establishing safety measures,
thus ensuring a comparable safety level at all production sites. Compliance with internal and ex-
ternal safety regulations is verified in internal audits.
The statements on and indicators for process and plant safety in this Annual Report also apply to
the acquired agriculture business. The detailed harmonization of the systems will be implemented
in the years ahead.
Our experts systematically identify the process risks in the production facilities and develop robust
protective concepts that consider health, safety and environmental aspects. We validate these
safety concepts every five years to maintain the high safety level of our facilities. Technical modifi-
cations are subject to a stringent change management process. Furthermore, maintenance and
inspection programs are established for the safety facilities to ensure the necessary availability
and functionality in case of need. Before a new production facility is brought on stream, our safety
experts verify all defined safety measures and confirm their proper implementation through plant
and equipment inspections.
A globally standardized key performance indicator (KPI) – Loss of Primary Containment (LoPC
material release / leakages) – is used at Bayer as an early indicator for plant safety incidents and is
integrated into Group-wide safety reporting. LoPC incidents refer to the leakage of chemical sub-
stances or energy in amounts above defined thresholds from their primary containment, such as
pipelines, pumps, tanks or drums. The LoPC Incident Rate (LoPC-IR) indicates the number of
LoPC incidents per 200,000 hours worked. In 2018, the LoPC-IR was 0.09 (2017: 0.13). Bayer’s
LoPC reporting is based on the requirements of the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC),
which apply uniformly throughout Europe. Starting in 2019, we will apply the reporting criteria of
the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) and classify the release of chemical
substances or energies as Process Safety Incidents (PSIs).
To prevent comparable substance and energy releases in the future, the causes of PSIs will be
analyzed and relevant findings communicated appropriately throughout the Bayer Group. The
reporting thresholds were intentionally set at such a low level that even material and energy leaks
that have no impact on employees, neighbors or the environment are systematically recorded and
reported. This preventive approach is applied so that weaknesses can be identified and corrected
before a more serious incident can occur.
Rate of Plant Safety Incidents (LoPC-IR)
Loss of Primary Containment Incident Rate (LoPC-IR)
1
1 Number of LoPC incidents per 200,000 hours worked
A 1.6.2/3
2017
0.13
2018
0.09
Bayer AG key data:
see also A 1.7
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
77
1.6 Safety for People and the Environment
Transportation safety
Transportation and storage safety is a part of HSE management and is implemented by a network
of experts and users with practical experience who cooperate across divisional and regional
boundaries. Details are specified in the corporate policies “Transportation Safety” and “Health,
Safety, Environment and Quality (HSEQ) Audits.” Apart from internal Bayer specifications, the
international regulations of the WHO and Crop Life International also apply as standards. The
acquired agriculture business has its own regulations on and processes for transportation safety
that are not comparable with Bayer’s. These will still apply until Bayer’s transport and storage
safety requirements have been introduced in the acquired business, starting in 2019. The qualita-
tive information below does not yet include the acquired business. The number of transport inci-
dents pertains to both Bayer and the acquired business.
Transportation safety plays a key role both in the transportation of our products on public routes
and in loading, unloading, classification, labeling and packaging, particularly of hazardous goods.
Our Procurement unit (excluding the acquired agriculture business) selects logistics partners ac-
cording to strict safety, environmental and quality criteria. The implementation of our requirements
ensures that the materials are handled and transported in line with applicable regulations and the
potential hazard they pose. In addition to the legally required training courses for our employees,
we offer special electronic training programs to convey specialist knowledge that are also acces-
sible to our service providers.
On account of our extensive safety precautions and training activities, transport incidents are rare.
These include accidents that cause personal injury or significant damage to property, environmen-
tal impact resulting from the release of substances, or leakage of hazardous goods. Such acci-
dents are recorded in detail and assessed on the basis of defined criteria. All 10 transport inci-
dents (including those of the acquired agriculture business) in 2018 (2017: 9) involved road
transport accidents. Two of the transport incidents were also classed as environmental incidents.
www.bayer.com/en/
safety.aspx
1.6.3 Environmental Protection
We meet our responsibility to protect the environment in many different ways. We continuously
work to reduce the environmental impact of our business activities and develop product solutions
that benefit the environment. For us, a resource-friendly and low-emissions approach to raw ma-
terials and energy is ecologically and economically expedient and efficient. These measures are
designed to reduce environmental impact and, at the same time, cut the costs associated with
materials, energy, emissions and disposal. As a pure life science company too, we remain com-
mitted to climate protection.
Responsibilities and framework conditions are stipulated at Group level, such as through corpo-
rate policies, targets and key performance indicators (KPIs). We use certified HSEQ management
systems to control operational implementation. Our environmental standards apply worldwide.
Our commitment extends beyond the scope of legal requirements. We perform a voluntary eco-
logical assessment for capital expenditure projects exceeding €10 million. As part of the integra-
tion process, the corresponding corporate policy will also be extended to the acquired agriculture
business. In the case of acquisitions, we examine compliance with the applicable environmental
and occupational safety regulations as well as fundamental employee rights at the production
sites in question.
In connection with the acquired agriculture business, Bayer took over another 162 environmentally
relevant sites. These are included in our environmental performance indicators as of the closing
date of June 7, 2018. As a result, nearly all our environmental performance indicators are consid-
erably higher year on year.
Environmentally relevant
sites: see Glossary
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Bayer Annual Report 2018
Bayer AG key data:
see also A 1.7
www.bayer.com/CDP-
Climate
Energy consumption
Higher total energy consumption through inclusion of the acquired agriculture business
Compared with 2017, Bayer’s total energy consumption rose by 53.4% to 39.6 petajoules in
2018. In connection with the acquisition of Monsanto, Bayer has taken over sites for seed produc-
tion and for the extraction of raw materials for the manufacture of intermediates for crop protec-
tion products, which involves energy-intensive treatment and downstream processing. The inte-
gration of these process steps into the value chain substantially increases all performance
indicators for energy consumption.
When calculating total energy consumption, we differentiate between primary and secondary en-
ergy consumption. Primary energy consumption mainly comprises fossil fuels for our own genera-
tion of electricity and steam for our own use and for sale to other companies. Secondary energy
consumption reflects on the one hand the purchase of electricity, steam and cooling energy at our
sites worldwide and, on the other, the proportion that is made available by our service provider
Currenta at the Chempark sites in Germany to other companies. The proportion of renewable
energies is determined by the energy mix of our energy suppliers. In our latest report to CDP (for-
merly the Carbon Disclosure Project), we address these topics in detail. (This report does not yet
include the acquired agriculture business.)
Energy Consumption
TJ
Primary energy consumption
Natural gas
Coal
Liquid fuels
1
Waste
Other
2
Secondary energy consumption
3
Electricity
3,4
Steam
3
Steam from waste heat (process heat)
Cooling energy
3
Total energy consumption
A 1.6.3/1
2018
43,928
26,187
10,606
3,491
985
2,660
(4,300)
9,540
2017
35,457
22,332
10,618
230
539
1,738
(9,625)
4,281
(19,271)
(19,249)
6,274
(909)
6,711
(1,302)
25,832
39,628
2017 figures restated
1 Liquid fuels include heating oil and fuels used in the Bayer Group vehicle fleet. The method for calculating the fuel consumption of
the acquired agriculture business’s vehicle fleet differs from that used for the remaining Bayer Group fleet. The calculation methods
are to be harmonized in 2019.
2 For example hydrogen
3 Our service company Currenta operates its own highly energy-efficient combined heat and power plants at the Chempark sites in
Germany and sells the electricity and steam generated there along with cooling energy additionally generated primarily to other
companies with energy-intensive production processes. Offsetting this against the volumes we purchase can lead to negative
totals.
4 The proportion of primary energy sources used in generating the electricity consumed depends on the respective national
electricity mix.
Energy efficiency
Bayer reports energy efficiency as the ratio of energy used to external sales. For 2018, we are
including the acquired agriculture business in our reporting of energy efficiency for the first time.
As a result, the value for this performance indicator is now much higher.
Energy Efficiency
kWh / €1,000 external sales
Energy efficiency
2017 figure restated
A 1.6.3/2
2017
205
2018
278
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
79
1.6 Safety for People and the Environment
Air emissions
Climate protection
At Bayer, air emissions are caused mainly by the generation and consumption of electricity, steam
and auxiliary energy for the production of our products and by our vehicle fleet.
Climate protection has been a priority at Bayer for decades. As reported in previous years, we
were able to reduce our absolute greenhouse gas emissions between 1990 and 2015 through
production and process innovations. This was possible in spite of production increases, particular-
ly in the energy-intensive plastics businesses. Following the strategic realignment, we reduced our
absolute greenhouse gas emissions as a pure life science company by a further 26.8% between
2015 and 2018 (excluding Currenta and the acquired agriculture business).
In integrating the acquired agriculture business, we are currently reviewing our climate program
and, in the future, want to make positive contributions to protecting the climate and managing the
effects of climate change on several levels. Our comprehensive approach also includes initiatives
that seek to reduce the emissions of nonproduction operations. For example, we are looking at
our vehicle fleet, the optimization of logistics, and the further development of our information and
communications technologies in terms of environmental aspects (Green IT).
www.bayer.com/en/
environmental-
protection.aspx
Transparency on greenhouse gas emissions
In selecting and measuring greenhouse gas emissions, we consider recommendations of the
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol. Direct emissions from our own power plants, vehicles, waste
incineration plants and production facilities (Scope 1) and indirect emissions from the procure-
ment of electricity, steam and cooling energy (Scope 2) are determined at all environmentally
relevant sites.
GHG Protocol:
see Glossary
In line with the GHG Protocol, indirect emissions (Scope 2) are reported according to both the
location-based and the market-based methods.
Because we are reporting emission data for the acquired agriculture business for the first time, all
Bayer Group emissions are considerably higher year on year.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Million metric tons of CO2 equivalents
Direct emissions
1,2,3
Indirect emissions
4 according to the location-based method
Indirect emissions
4 according to the market-based method
5
Total greenhouse gas emissions according to the market-based method
5
A 1.6.3/3
2018
3.90
1.64
1.55
5.45
2017
2.50
1.28
1.13
3.63
Specific greenhouse gas emissions (kg CO2e / €1,000 external sales) according to the
market-based method
5,6
104
138
2017 figures restated
1 In 2018, 94.9% of direct greenhouse gas emissions were CO2 emissions. Other greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide, partially
fluorinated hydrocarbons and methane made a negligible contribution to direct greenhouse gas emissions.
2 In line with the GHG Protocol, we also report the direct emissions of our service company Currenta, which also generates electricity
for other companies at the German Chempark sites in Leverkusen, Krefeld-Uerdingen and Dormagen. Consequently, the figures for
the direct emissions of the Bayer Group are higher than the actual emissions resulting from the business activities of Bayer
excluding Currenta alone.
3 The calculation of direct CO2 emissions from the acquired agriculture business’s vehicle fleet differs in 2018 from that used for the
remaining Bayer Group fleet. The calculation methods are to be harmonized in 2019.
4 Typically, CO2 accounts for 98% of all energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. The remainder comprises methane and nitrous
oxide. When determining indirect emissions, our calculations are therefore limited to these greenhouse gases and indicate all
emissions in CO2 equivalents.
5 For Bayer, the market-based method of the GHG Protocol most reliably reflects the values for Scope 2 emissions and the success
of emissions reduction measures, so we apply emissions volumes calculated using this method when calculating the total and
specific greenhouse gas emissions.
6 Specific Bayer Group emissions are calculated from the total volume of direct emissions and indirect emissions calculated using the
market-based method of the GHG Protocol (Scope 2), divided by the external sales volume. Quantities attributable to the supply of
energy to external companies are deducted from the direct and indirect emissions.
Bayer AG key data:
see also A 1.7
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Bayer Annual Report 2018
www.bayer.com/
CDP-Climate
A 1.6.3/4
Means of Transport
1% rail
8% sea
1% air
90%
road
Excluding the acquired agriculture
business
In 2018, the Bayer Group was involved in European emissions trading with 13 plants in total. The
CO2 emissions of these plants amounted to approximately 2.27 million metric tons.
The reporting of all relevant indirect emissions from the value chain is bindingly regulated by the
GHG Protocol Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Accounting & Reporting Standard. Bayer has
identified eight key Scope 3 categories that we describe in detail in the current CDP report (ex-
cluding the acquired agriculture business and Currenta).
Efficient logistics strategies
Logistics at Bayer comprises not just the transport and warehousing of goods, but also the steer-
ing and monitoring of flows of goods and logistics data for the Bayer Group. The acquired agricul-
ture business will use its own legacy systems and processes until integration is completed. For
this reason, the following information and data on means of transport apply only to Bayer exclud-
ing the acquired agriculture business.
Utilizing digital technologies, we work continually to develop logistics strategies that take account
of safety, environmental and cost aspects. Areas of environmental focus include the reduction of
CO2 emissions, for example by minimizing air transport or using logistics strategies that include
railways and waterways.
Increase in other direct air emissions
Particulate emissions rose considerably in 2018, from 60 to 2,370 metric tons, on account of the
first-time inclusion of the sites of the acquired agriculture business in reporting. This is due in part
to the mining and processing of raw materials for the manufacture of intermediates for crop pro-
tection products. In addition, seed production (corn and soybeans) results in relatively large quan-
tities of particulates.
The increase in CO emissions and in volatile organic compounds (VOC) excluding methane is
largely attributable to the inclusion of the vehicle fleet of the acquired agriculture business.
Other Direct Air Emissions
1,000 metric tons
ODS
1
VOC
2
CO
NOX
SOX
Particulates
2017 figures restated
1 Ozone-depleting substances (ODS) in CFC-11 equivalents
2 Volatile organic compounds (VOC) excluding methane
A 1.6.3/5
2017
2018
0.0085
0.0093
0.87
0.61
1.52
0.92
0.06
1.41
4.42
4.36
1.36
2.37
Environmental incidents
There were two environmental incidents – i.e. incidents that resulted in the release of substances
into the environment – in 2018 (2017: two). Factors that determine whether there is a reporting
obligation include, in particular, the nature and quantity of the substance, the amount of damage
caused and any consequences for nearby residents. In accordance with our internal voluntary
commitment, we report any leakage of substances with a high hazard potential from a quantity of
100 kilograms upward. Both environmental incidents were also transport incidents. Regrettably,
one person lost their life in one of these incidents. You will find details of the environmental and
transport incidents in 2018 on our sustainability website.
www.bayer.com/en/
safety.aspx
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
81
1.6 Safety for People and the Environment
Water
Responsible water usage is a cornerstone of our commitment to sustainable development. Clean
water in sufficient quantities is essential for the health of people, animals and plants. That is why it
is crucial that, in the future too, industrial water usage will not lead to local problems such as a
shortage of water for the people living in the catchment areas of our production sites. We there-
fore commit in our Water Position to comply with international, national and local legislation to
protect water resources, use them as sparingly as possible and further reduce emissions into
water. We have introduced a water management system at our sites in water-scarce areas or
areas identified as being threatened by water scarcity. For 2019, we plan to examine the produc-
tion sites of our acquired agriculture business in this regard.
In our water stewardship strategy we address a variety of factors connected with water, from
operational water use and innovative products such as seeds that do not need as much water to
our commitment in the value chain and cooperation with partners. We support the CEO Water
Mandate of the U.N. Global Compact with the goal of working with key stakeholders to develop
sustainable strategies for water usage. In our annual response to the CDP Water Disclosure, we
report in detail and transparently on our water management approach. In recent years, we have
repeatedly been included in the CDP Water A List (leadership status).
www.bayer.com/CDP-
Water
Water use
In 2018, total water use in the Bayer Group was 124 million cubic meters (2017: 98 million cubic
meters). This year-on-year increase in use is due to the first-time inclusion of the sites of the ac-
quired agriculture business.
Bayer AG key data:
see also A 1.7
Some 42% of all water used by Bayer is cooling water that is only heated in this process and does
not come into contact with products. It can be returned to the water cycle without further treat-
ment in line with the relevant official permits.
At our production facilities, we endeavor to use water several times and to recycle it. Water is
currently recycled at 51 sites, accounting for 52.4% of the total water used. The various forms of
recycling include closed cooling cycles, reuse of treated wastewater and recirculation of steam
condensates as process water. We use water several times, in particular at our recently acquired
production sites at locations such as Antwerp in Belgium and Muscatine, Iowa; St. Louis, Mis-
souri; and especially Luling, Louisiana, in the United States. The total volume of 124 million cubic
meters of water originally deployed is used approximately 1.8 times on average.
Water Use in the Bayer Group 2018 (million m³)
A 1.6.3/6
Sources of water 1
Water usage
Water discharged 1
Surface water
56 (45%)
Cooling water
52 (42%)
Boreholes /
springs
Drinking water
supply
63 (50%)
3 (2%)
Reuse
Other sources
2 (2%)
Production ²
72 (58 %)
Once-through
cooling water
46 (57%)
Losses due to evaporation
from cooling water circuits
6 (7%)
Process wastewater
with subsequent treatment
25 (30%)
Process wastewater
without subsequent treatment
4 (5%)
1 The differences between volumes of water consumed and water discharged can be explained, for example, by quantities of water
used as raw materials in products, unquantified losses due to evaporation, leaks and volumes of condensate generated through
the use of steam as a source of energy.
2 Sum from production processes, sanitary wastewater and cleaning processes in production
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1.6 Safety for People and the Environment
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Wastewater
The total quantity of wastewater, including process and sanitary wastewater, was 29 million cubic
meters in 2018, which is 25.2% more than in 2017. This increase in use is due especially to the
first-time inclusion of the sites of the acquired agriculture business.
All wastewater is subject to strict controls before it is discharged into the various disposal channels.
In 2018, 85.1% of Bayer’s wastewater worldwide was purified in wastewater treatment plants
(Bayer or third-party facilities). Following careful analysis, the remaining volume was categorized as
environmentally safe according to official provisions and returned to the natural water cycle.
We aim to minimize our emissions into water. In 2018, we therefore also applied alternative
means of disposing of product-containing wastewater such as incineration, distillation and chem-
ical treatment.
In 2018, most of the higher emissions into water were attributable to the first-time inclusion of the
sites of the acquired agriculture business. Additional factors were more precise methods of data
acquisition at the site in Kansas City, Missouri, United States, and production adjustments at the
site in Dormagen, Germany.
Emissions into Water
1,000 metric tons
Phosphorus
Nitrogen
TOC
1
Heavy metals
Inorganic salts
COD
2
A 1.6.3/7
2018
0.18
0.45
0.62
2017
0.04
0.40
0.39
0.0019
0.0034
188
1.17
169
1.86
1 Total organic carbon
2 Chemical oxygen demand; calculated value based on TOC figures (TOC x 3 = COD)
Waste and recycling
We want to minimize material consumption and disposal volumes through systematic waste man-
agement. Safe disposal channels with separation according to the type of waste and economically
expedient recycling processes serve this purpose. Production fluctuations, building refurbishment
and land remediation work also influence waste volumes and recycling paths. In accordance with
Bayer’s corporate policies, all production sites are obliged to prevent, recycle and reduce waste
and to dispose of it safely and in line with good environmental practices.
Waste volumes decline slightly
The total quantity of waste generated declined slightly by 3.3% in 2018.
The volume of hazardous waste decreased by 13.3%, primarily on account of the conclusion of
demolition work at the site in Belford Roxo, Brazil. The volume of hazardous waste from produc-
tion fell by around 6.9%, mainly due to changes in the production portfolio at the Dormagen site in
Germany.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
83
1.6 Safety for People and the Environment
The volume of nonhazardous waste, on the other hand, rose by 10.3% compared with the previous
year, due primarily to the first-time inclusion of the sites of the newly acquired agriculture business.
Waste Generated
1,000 metric tons
Total waste generated
Nonhazardous waste
Hazardous waste
1
Hazardous waste from production
2017 figures restated
1 Definition of hazardous waste in accordance with the local laws in each instance
A 1.6.3/8
2017
2018
846
361
485
417
818
398
421
388
Bayer AG key data:
see also A 1.7
Reflecting the reduction in the volume of waste generated, the amount of waste disposed of de-
creased by 2.6%. In turn, this made it possible to reduce by 33.1% the volume of hazardous
waste disposed of in landfills. Of the waste disposed of, 35.9% was successfully recycled.
Waste by Means of Disposal
1,000 metric tons
Total volume of waste disposed of
1
Volume removed to landfill
Volume incinerated
Volume recycled
2
Others
3
Hazardous waste disposed of
4
Volume removed to landfill
Volume incinerated / recycled
A 1.6.3/9
2017
2018
840
314
211
214
102
485
99
386
818
212
227
293
86
421
66
354
2017 figures restated
1 Waste can also be stored at sites as an intermediate step. For this reason, the volume of waste disposed of can differ slightly
from the volume of waste generated by Bayer.
2 Recycling refers to processes through which waste is reused or treated for reutilization.
3 For example passed on to third parties (e.g. providers / waste disposal companies)
4 Waste generated by Bayer only; definition of hazardous waste in accordance with the local laws in each instance
Recycling
Legislation prohibits the recycling and processing / treatment of a large proportion of our materials,
especially pharmaceuticals and crop protection products. In our segments, we make use of op-
portunities for recycling within the framework of legal regulations. Production-specific and sub-
stance-specific recycling is carried out in compliance with the individual requirements of a given
production site. Packaging materials are recycled in line with national regulations as part of the
country-specific infrastructure for waste disposal.
www.bayer.com/en/
environmental-
protection.aspx
84
A Combined Management Report
1.7 Nonfinancial and Other Disclosures by Bayer AG
Bayer Annual Report 2018
1.7 Nonfinancial and Other Disclosures by Bayer AG
Due to the importance of Bayer AG within the Bayer Group, further disclosures are required. This
pertains especially to reporting on significant nonfinancial information, which also became man-
datory for the parent company Bayer AG as a result of the CSR Directive Implementation Act that
came into effect in 2017.
The integrated presentation was selected in the management report for the nonfinancial state-
ment to be issued in 2018 pursuant to Section 289b through e of the German Commercial Code
(HGB). All disclosures, provisions, described processes and key data contained in the preceding
statements in the management report apply to the Bayer Group including Bayer AG. No addi-
tional aspects were identified pursuant to the CSR Directive Implementation Act that apply exclu-
sively to Bayer AG.
The following table contains significant nonfinancial and other key data of Bayer AG. Further in-
formation on the business performance and the situation of the company is found in A 2.3 “Earn-
ings; Asset and Financial Position of Bayer AG.”
Significant Nonfinancial and Other Key Data of Bayer AG
R&D expenses (€ million)
Employees
1
Employees by function
1
Production
Marketing and distribution
R&D
Administration
Employees by gender
1
Women
Men
Personnel expenses (€ million)
Pension obligations (€ million)
Short-term incentive program (€ million)
Procurement spend (€ million)
Safety
Recordable Incident Rate (RIR)
Lost Time Recordable Incident Rate (LTRIR)
Loss of Primary Containment Incident Rate (LoPC-IR)
Environmental protection
Total energy consumption (terajoules)
Total greenhouse gas emissions (million metric tons of CO2 equivalents)
Water use (million cubic meters)
Total waste generated (1,000 metric tons)
2017 figures restated
1 Full-time equivalents (FTEs)
A 1.7/1
2018
2,331
2017
2,186
17,072
17,276
8,858
936
5,468
1,810
6,104
10,968
2,045
4,251
194
3.9
0.53
0.35
0.21
9,188
887
5,368
1,833
6,248
11,028
2,571
4,514
277
4.2
0.50
0.37
0.25
7,878
7,239
0.69
4.74
302
0.55
4.92
268
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
85
2.1 Overview of Business Performance
2. Report on Economic Position
2.1 Overview of Business Performance
2.1.1 Target Attainment 2018
Target Attainment 2018
A 2.1.1/1
Forecast 2018 1
Revised forecast 2018 2
Target attainment
Closing rates on
Dec. 31, 2017
Currency-
adjusted
Closing rates on
June 30, 2018
Currency-
adjusted
nominal
Currency-
adjusted
Group Sales
Level with
previous year
Low- to mid-single-
digit percentage
increase 3
More than
€39 billion
Mid-single-digit
percentage
increase 3
13.1%
increase
4.5%3
increase
€35 billion
More than €39 billion
€39.6 billion
EBITDA before
special items
Level with
previous year
Mid-single-digit
percentage
increase
Low- to mid-single-
digit percentage
increase
High-single-digit
percentage
increase
2.8%
increase
7.7%
increase
Core earnings
per share
Level with
previous year
Mid-single-digit
percentage
increase
€5.70 – €5.90
High-single-digit
percentage
decrease
€5.94
1 Issued in February 2018; excluding Monsanto
2 Issued in September 2018; including Monsanto from June 7, 2018 (closing date of the acquisition)
3 Currency- and portfolio-adjusted
2.1.2 Economic Position of the Bayer Group
We registered growth in our operational business in 2018. Sales increased by 4.5% on a currency-
and portfolio-adjusted basis (Fx & portfolio adj.). EBITDA before special items rose by 2.8%, de-
spite negative currency effects. Pharmaceuticals once again posted sales gains (Fx & portfolio
adj.), thanks mainly to the strong overall development of our key growth products Xarelto™,
Eylea™, Xofigo™, Stivarga™ and Adempas™, while reported earnings were down. In a challeng-
ing business year, sales of Consumer Health were level with the prior year (Fx & portfolio adj.),
while earnings declined. Crop Science posted an increase in sales (Fx & portfolio adj.), while earn-
ings rose significantly, mainly due to the contribution from the newly acquired business. At Animal
Health, the operational business was level with the prior year. Earnings per share of the Bayer
Group reflected a one-time gain of €4.1 billion (before taxes) from divestments, along with impair-
ment losses of €2.8 billion, acquisition costs of €1.9 billion, and restructuring costs in the amount
of €1.3 billion. Core earnings per share of the Bayer Group amounted to €5.94 (– 10.5%). We met
our full-year outlook for Group sales and EBITDA before special items, as adjusted in September
2018. Core earnings per share came in slightly above our expectations.
2.1.3 Key Events
We made significant progress in implementing our strategic objectives in 2018 with the closing of
the Monsanto acquisition. The portfolio, efficiency and structural measures announced in connec-
tion with the Bayer 2022 program will further strengthen our core life science businesses.
86
A Combined Management Report
2.1 Overview of Business Performance
Bayer Annual Report 2018
On June 7, 2018, Bayer acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of Monsanto Company, St.
Louis, Missouri, United States (Monsanto), thus completing the biggest acquisition in its history.
In connection with the conditional approval granted by the European Commission in March 2018,
Bayer concluded an agreement with BASF SE on April 26, 2018, concerning the sale of Bayer’s
global vegetable seed business, certain seed treatments and its digital farming activities for ap-
proximately €1.7 billion. This agreement expanded on the agreement already concluded between
Bayer and BASF in October 2017, which included the sale of the global glufosinate ammonium
business and the related LibertyLink™ technology for herbicide tolerance, as well as a substantial
part of the field crop seed business, for a base purchase price of €5.9 billion. The divestments to
BASF were completed on August 1, 2018, for all businesses earmarked for divestment excluding
the vegetable seed business, which was divested as of August 16, 2018. The closing of these
transactions led to the previously imposed hold separate order being lifted. The final purchase
price provisionally amounted to approximately €7.4 billion. The transactions resulted in divestment
proceeds of approximately €4.1 billion before taxes.
Upon closing of the transaction on June 7, 2018, an amount of US$128 per share was paid out to
the Monsanto stockholders, and trading of Monsanto shares on the New York Stock Exchange
ceased. The purchase price of US$63 billion included Monsanto’s net debt of approximately
US$6 billion. In September 2016, Bayer secured bridge financing from a consortium of 26 banks
for the remaining amount of US$57 billion. The required bridge financing, which was drawn on
June 7, 2018, was reduced in 2018 through a range of measures that included the following:
// In January, Bayer sold 10.4% of Covestro shares at a price of €86.25 per share, resulting in
total proceeds of €1.8 billion. In May, a further 14.2% of Covestro shares were sold at a price of
€75.50 per share. The volume of this transaction amounted to €2.2 billion. Bayer AG now holds
just 7.5% of Covestro shares to repay the exchangeable bond that matures in 2020. Bayer AG
acquired these shares, which are recognized at fair value through profit or loss as a financial
asset, from Bayer Pension Trust, which no longer holds any Covestro shares.
// In April, the Republic of Singapore subscribed to 31 million new Bayer shares through a subsid-
iary. This corresponded to around 3.6% of the increased capital stock and generated total
gross proceeds of €3 billion.
// In June, we raised around €6.0 billion in net proceeds from a capital increase against cash
contributions with subscription rights for existing Bayer stockholders. For this purpose, approx-
imately 74.6 million new registered (no-par value) shares with entitlement to dividends from
January 1, 2018, were issued.
// In June 2018, Bayer issued bonds of US$15 billion via its subsidiary Bayer U.S. Finance II LLC,
Pittsburgh, United States, and bonds of €5 billion via its subsidiary Bayer Capital Corporation
B.V., Mijdrecht, Netherlands. All the bonds are guaranteed by Bayer AG.
In addition, Bayer used the operating cash flow and income from the aforementioned divestments
to BASF to reduce the bridge financing from an initial US$43 billion on June 7, 2018, to
€4.9 billion as of the closing date.
On July 27, 2018, Bayer signed an agreement to divest the prescription dermatology business of
Consumer Health. The transfer of the business to LEO Pharma A/S, Ballerup, Denmark, is taking
place in two stages. After the closing conditions were satisfied, the U.S. business was transferred
on September 4, 2018, while the remaining global prescription dermatology business is expected
to be transferred to the acquirer LEO Pharma A/S during the second half of 2019. The portfolio
being divested comprises prescription brands including Advantan™, Skinoren™ and Travocort™.
The purchase price amounted to €58 million for the U.S. business and €555 million for the rest of
the global business, and is subject to customary purchase price adjustments.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
87
2.1 Overview of Business Performance
In August 2018, a state court jury in San Francisco, United States, awarded approximately
US$39 million in compensatory damages and US$250 million in punitive damages to a plaintiff
who claimed that a Monsanto product caused his non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Although the
court later reduced the punitive damages to approximately US$39 million, we continue to consider
this decision to be incorrect and have filed an appeal with the responsible court. Based on the
body of scientific evidence available and the assessments of regulatory authorities worldwide, we
continue to believe that we have meritorious defenses and intend to defend ourselves vigorously
in this and other product liability lawsuits relating to products containing glyphosate. The next
two trials are currently scheduled for February and March 2019 before a federal court jury in San
Francisco and a state court jury in California, respectively. A further five proceedings are currently
scheduled in California and Missouri for 2019. However, trial dates in all venues remain subject to
change depending on court schedules and rulings.
See Note 32 to B Con-
solidated Financial
Statements for further
details of this set of
transactions
On November 29, 2018, Bayer announced a series of portfolio, efficiency and structural measures
in connection with the Bayer 2022 program to further strengthen the core life science businesses.
Portfolio measures earmarked for implementation in the coming years pertain not only to the Ani-
mal Health business and the sale of our interest in German site services provider Currenta, but
also to certain product categories of the Consumer Health segment, including in particular our sun
care and foot care product lines. In addition, Bayer intends to significantly improve cost structures
through the planned efficiency and structural measures.
See also A 1.2
2.1.4 Economic Environment
Global economic growth matches prior-year level
The pace of global economic growth in 2018 matched the level of the previous year. In the United
States, tax cuts in particular helped the economy perform considerably better than in 2017. In
Europe, however, economic growth slowed, hampered in part by the uncertainty surrounding
the form of the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union. In Germany, economic growth
declined significantly, primarily due to weaker exports. The Chinese economy continued to grow
rapidly, though at a reduced pace compared with the previous year. By contrast, the overall
growth of the Emerging Markets was level with the prior year.
See also A 2.2.2
Economic Environment
World
European Union
of which Germany
United States
Emerging Markets ²
A 2.1.4/1
1
Growth
2017
1
Growth
2018
+ 3.3%
+ 2.6%
+ 2.5%
+ 2.2%
+ 4.9%
+ 3.2%
+ 2.0%
+ 1.5%
+ 2.9%
+ 4.8%
2017 figures restated
1 Real GDP growth, source: IHS Markit
2 Including about 50 countries defined by Global Insight as Emerging Markets in line with the World Bank
As of January 2019
Currency development
Negative currency effects diminished sales of the Bayer Group by €1,464 million (– 4.1%) and
EBITDA before special items by €457 million in 2018. These currency effects do not include those
relating to the acquired business. The effects pertained to the currencies shown in the following
table.
88
A Combined Management Report
2.2 Earnings; Asset and Financial Position of the Bayer Group
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Currency Development Bayer Group
€ million
ARS
BRL
CAD
CNY
JPY
MXN
RUB
TRY
USD
Other currencies
All currencies
Source: Bloomberg, annual average closing rates
A 2.1.4/2
Delta Fx
effect on
sales
Delta Fx
effect on
clean
EBITDA
Of which
delta Fx
effect from
hedging
(135)
(115)
(95)
(76)
(68)
(44)
(100)
(123)
(401)
(307)
(1,464)
31
11
(38)
(49)
(46)
(24)
(21)
(69)
(116)
(136)
(457)
0
(20)
26
(10)
(14)
2
45
0
(40)
8
(3)
2017
18.53
3.59
1.46
7.61
2018
30.95
4.29
1.53
7.80
126.39
130.38
21.28
65.71
4.10
1.13
22.69
73.87
5.56
1.18
2.2 Earnings; Asset and Financial Position
of the Bayer Group
2.2.1 Earnings Performance of the Bayer Group
Bayer Group Key Data
€ million
Sales
Change in sales
1
Volume
Price
Currency
Portfolio
Sales by region
Europe / Middle East / Africa
North America
Asia / Pacific
Latin America
EBITDA1
Special items
1
EBITDA before special items
1
EBITDA margin before special items
1
EBIT
1
Special items
1
EBIT before special items
1
Earnings per share (total) (€)
Core earnings per share
1 (€)
Change %
1
A 2.2.1/1
Change %
1
Q4 2017
Q4 2018
Reported Fx & p adj.
2017
2018
Reported Fx & p adj.
8,596
11,062
+ 28.7
+ 5.8
35,015
39,586
+ 13.1
+ 4.5
+ 5.1%
– 2.4%
– 5.3%
+ 5.5%
+ 0.3%
– 0.2%
0.0%
+ 23.1%
3,115
2,219
1,774
1,488
1,460
(323)
1,783
20.7%
625
(632)
1,257
0.17
1.39
3,288
3,394
2,084
2,296
46
(2,019)
2,065
18.7%
(4,142)
(5,251)
1,109
(4.00)
1.10
+ 2.3%
– 0.8%
– 1.4%
+ 5.3%
– 0.8%
– 4.1%
+ 0.1%
+ 12.7%
13,388
10,143
7,637
3,847
8,563
(725)
9,288
26.5%
5,903
(1,227)
7,130
8.29
6.64
14,143
11,569
8,115
5,759
10,266
719
9,547
24.1%
3,914
(2,566)
6,480
1.80
5.94
+ 2.4
+ 4.3
+ 12.6
+ 7.0
+ 5.6
+ 53.0
+ 17.5
+ 54.3
– 96.8
+ 15.8
.
– 11.8
.
– 20.9
+ 3.9
+ 0.8
+ 7.3
+ 11.0
+ 5.6
+ 14.1
+ 6.3
+ 49.7
+ 19.9
+ 2.8
– 33.7
– 9.1
–78.3
–10.5
2017 figures restated
Fx & p adj. = currency- and portfolio-adjusted
1 For definition see A 2.4 “Alternative Performance Measures Used by the Bayer Group.”
Bayer Annual Report 2018
2.2 Earnings; Asset and Financial Position of the Bayer Group
A Combined Management Report
89
Group sales increased by 4.5% (Fx & portfolio adj.)
Sales of the Bayer Group rose by 4.5% (Fx & portfolio adj.) to €39,586 million (reported: + 13.1%)
in 2018, including €3,819 million in Germany.
Sales of Pharmaceuticals advanced by 3.4% (Fx & portfolio adj.) to €16,746 million, with our key
growth products once again delivering strong performance overall. At Consumer Health, sales
were level with the prior year, at €5,450 million (Fx & portfolio adj. – 0.7%). Sales of Crop Science
increased by 6.1% (Fx & portfolio adj.) to €14,266 million, mainly due to the normalization of in-
ventories in the Brazilian crop protection market and the service agreements with BASF – espe-
cially product supply and distribution agreements – in connection with the divested businesses.
On a reported basis, sales climbed by 49.0%, mainly as a result of portfolio effects of 47.2%
(€4,521 million). Sales of Animal Health were level with the previous year, at €1,501 million (Fx &
portfolio adj. + 0.5%). In the Reconciliation, we increased sales by 40.4% to €1,623 million, pri-
marily through our business with Covestro, which in the prior year was only included here from the
third quarter of 2017, the date the company was deconsolidated.
Earnings
EBITDA before special items of the Bayer Group advanced by 2.8% to €9,547 million (2017:
€9,288 million). Negative currency effects diminished earnings by €457 million (excluding the ac-
quired business). EBITDA before special items of Pharmaceuticals rose by 2.5% (Fx adj.) to
€5,598 million (2017: €5,711 million; reported – 2.0%), primarily due to substantially higher vol-
umes and income of approximately €190 million from a development collaboration with Janssen
Research & Development, LLC, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. EBITDA before special items
of Consumer Health declined by 5.5% (Fx adj.) to €1,096 million (2017: €1,231 million; reported:
– 11.0%), mainly as a result of lower volumes and a decrease in one-time gains from the divest-
ment of noncore brands. At Crop Science, EBITDA before special items advanced by 29.8% on a
reported basis, to €2,651 million (2017: €2,043 million). This increase is primarily attributable to
the earnings contribution from the newly acquired business (€705 million) and the recognition in
the prior year of significantly higher provisions for product returns in Brazil. EBITDA before special
items of Animal Health increased by 0.8% (Fx adj.) to €358 million (2017: €381 million; reported:
– 6.0%).
EBITDA in 2018 came in at €10,266 million (2017: €8,563 million). Depreciation, amortization
and impairment losses amounted to €6,352 million (2017: €2,660 million), with intangible
assets accounting for €4,455 million (2017: €1,679 million) and property, plant and equipment
for €1,897 million (2017: €981 million). Impairment losses amounted to €3,353 million (2017:
€512 million). These included €2,673 million (2017: €455 million) in impairments on intangible
assets, primarily at Consumer Health, where we recorded impairment losses on goodwill and on
other intangible assets in the amounts of €1.5 billion and €1.1 billion, respectively. Impairment
losses on property, plant and equipment amounted to €680 million (2017: €57 million). An im-
pairment loss of €0.5 billion was recognized at Pharmaceuticals following the decision not to use
a newly constructed production facility. Impairment losses of €3,282 million (2017: €474 million),
net of impairment loss reversals, and accelerated depreciation of €3 million (2017: €28 million)
were included in special items.
+ 2.8%
increase in EBITDA
before special items
See also A 2.4
See also A 2.4
90
A Combined Management Report
2.2 Earnings; Asset and Financial Position of the Bayer Group
Bayer Annual Report 2018
EBIT decreased by 33.7% in 2018 to €3,914 million (2017: €5,903 million) after special charges of
€2,566 million (2017: €1,227 million). These mainly resulted from the aforementioned impairment
losses included for the most part in special items, from special charges in connection with the
acquired business (€1,980 million, including €1,256 million in prorated reversals of inventory step-
ups), from restructuring (€1,289 million) and from litigations and legal risks (€613 million). These
charges were offset by a one-time special gain from divestments (€4,124 million). EBIT before
special items declined by 9.1% to €6,480 million (2017: €7,130 million).
In 2018, the following special effects were taken into account in calculating EBIT and EBITDA
before special items.
A 2.2.1/2
Special Items by Segment and Category
1
EBIT
Q4 2017
EBIT
Q4 2018
EBIT
2017
EBIT
2018
EBITDA
Q4 2017
EBITDA
Q4 2018
EBITDA
2017
EBITDA
2018
€ million
Special items by segment
Pharmaceuticals
Consumer Health
Crop Science
Animal Health
Reconciliation
Restructuring
Litigations / legal risks
Acquisition costs / divestments
Other
Special items by category
Impairment losses / reversals
Litigations / legal risks
Acquisition costs
Restructuring
Divestments
Other
(187)
(258)
(155)
(23)
(9)
(15)
37
(31)
–
(304)
(88)
(134)
(103)
(3)
–
(1,289)
(2,781)
(984)
(1)
(196)
(139)
(38)
(19)
–
(2,745)
(604)
(855)
(1,197)
155
(5)
(340)
(300)
(408)
(31)
(148)
(57)
(60)
(31)
–
(450)
(188)
(304)
(227)
(58)
–
(1,362)
(2,776)
1,841
(7)
(262)
(171)
(41)
(51)
1
(2,788)
(613)
(1,980)
(1,289)
4,124
(20)
(128)
(54)
(111)
(21)
(9)
(15)
37
(31)
–
(2)
(88)
(134)
(97)
(2)
–
(771)
(68)
(984)
(1)
(195)
(138)
(38)
(19)
–
(32)
(604)
(855)
(678)
155
(5)
(135)
(86)
(327)
(29)
(148)
(57)
(60)
(31)
–
(3)
(188)
(304)
(197)
(33)
–
(725)
(801)
(61)
1,849
(7)
(261)
(170)
(41)
(51)
1
(32)
(613)
(1,972)
(768)
4,124
(20)
719
Total special items
(632)
(5,251)
(1,227)
(2,566)
(323)
(2,019)
1 For definition see A 2.4 “Alternative Performance Measures Used by the Bayer Group.”
See also A 2.2.4
Core earnings per share of €5.94
Earnings per share (total) amounted to €1.80 in 2018 (2017: €8.29). The decline was mainly at-
tributable to the aforementioned special items in connection with impairments, along with acquisi-
tion and integration costs, restructuring costs and litigations. There was a one-time gain from
divestments in 2018, while an important factor in the prior year was positive income after income
taxes from discontinued operations in connection with Covestro. Core earnings per share from
continuing operations were below the prior year as expected, at €5.94 (2017: €6.64; – 10.5%).
The financing costs for the Monsanto acquisition stood against the earnings contribution from the
acquired business, which was lower for seasonal reasons. In addition, the aforementioned equity
measures implemented in the second quarter of 2018 had a dilutive effect.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
2.2 Earnings; Asset and Financial Position of the Bayer Group
A Combined Management Report
91
Core Earnings per Share
1
€ million
EBIT (as per income statements)
Amortization and impairment losses / loss reversals on goodwill and other
intangible assets
Impairment losses / loss reversals on property, plant and equipment, and
accelerated depreciation included in special items
Special items (other than accelerated depreciation, amortization and
impairment losses / loss reversals)
Core EBIT
Financial result (as per income statements)
Special items in the financial result
Income taxes (as per income statements)
Special items in income taxes
Tax effects related to amortization, impairment losses / loss reversals
and special items
Income after income taxes attributable to noncontrolling interest
(as per income statements)
Above-mentioned adjustments attributable to noncontrolling interest
Q4 2017
625
602
16
323
1,566
(258)
250
(435)
455
(342)
(2)
–
Q4 2018
(4,142)
2017
5,903
A 2.2.1/3
2018
3,914
3,193
1,679
4,455
664
2,019
1,734
(726)
287
946
91
84
683
725
8,391
(1,326)
611
(1,329)
455
(719)
8,333
(1,596)
323
(607)
175
(1,255)
(922)
(1,022)
(2)
(1)
1
–
(16)
(1)
5,589
Core net income from continuing operations
1,234
1,074
5,881
Shares (million)
Weighted average number of shares
2
885.55
980.15
885.19
940.75
€
Core earnings per share from continuing operations
1.39
1.10
6.64
5.94
2017 figures restated
1 For definition see A 2.4 “Alternative Performance Measures Used by the Bayer Group.”
2 The weighted average number of shares (basic and diluted) was restated for all periods prior to June 2018 to reflect the effect of the bonus component of the
subscription rights issued as part of the June 2018 capital increase.
Bayer Group Other Parameters
Bayer Group Summary Income Statements
€ million
Net sales
Cost of goods sold
Selling expenses
Research and development expenses
General administration expenses
Other operating income (+) and expenses (–)
EBIT
1
Financial result
Income before income taxes
Income taxes
Income from continuing operations after taxes
Income from discontinued operations after taxes
Income after income taxes (total)
of which attributable to noncontrolling interest
of which attributable to Bayer AG stockholders
(net income)
Q4 2017
Q4 2018 Change %
2017
2018 Change %
A 2.2.1/4
11,062
+ 28.7
35,015
39,586
– 100.3
(11,382)
(17,010)
8,596
(3,047)
(3,074)
(1,234)
(588)
(28)
625
(258)
367
(435)
(68)
218
150
2
(6,102)
(4,317)
(1,738)
(864)
(2,183)
(4,142)
– 40.4
– 40.8
– 46.9
.
.
(726)
– 181.4
(4,868)
946
(3,922)
.
.
.
0
– 100
(3,922)
2
.
–
.
(11,116)
(12,751)
(4,504)
(2,026)
(84)
5,903
(1,326)
4,577
(1,329)
3,248
4,846
8,094
758
(5,246)
(2,728)
2,063
3,914
(1,596)
2,318
(607)
1,711
0
1,711
16
+ 13.1
– 49.4
– 14.7
– 16.5
– 34.6
.
– 33.7
– 20.4
– 49.4
+ 54.3
– 47.3
– 100
– 78.9
– 97.9
148
(3,924)
7,336
1,695
– 76.9
1 For definition see A 2.4 “Alternative Performance Measures Used by the Bayer Group.”
92
A Combined Management Report
2.2 Earnings; Asset and Financial Position of the Bayer Group
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Functional costs
The cost of goods sold increased by 49.4% to €17,010 million in 2018, partly as a result of the
aforementioned prorated reversals of inventory step-ups and additional amortization in connection
with the newly acquired business. The ratio of the cost of goods sold to total sales therefore rose
to 43.0% (2017: 32.5%). The selling expenses of €12,751 million (+ 14.7%) amounted to 32.2% of
sales (2017: 31.7%). Research and development (R&D) expenses rose by 16.5% to €5,246 million.
The ratio of R&D expenses to sales was 13.3% (2017: 12.9%). General administration expenses
climbed by 34.6% to €2,728 million. The ratio of general administration expenses to total sales
therefore increased to 6.9% (2017: 5.8%). The balance of other operating expenses and other
operating income amounted to €2,063 million (2017: minus €84 million). This included the afore-
mentioned gain from divestments and the impairment losses recognized on the goodwill of
Consumer Health.
The special effects accounted for in EBIT and EBITDA before special items were attributable to
the functional costs as shown in the following table.
A 2.2.1/5
Special Items Reconciliation by Functional Cost
1
€ million
Special items by functional cost
Cost of goods sold
Selling expenses
Research and development
expenses
General administration expenses
Other operating income / expenses
Total special items
EBIT
Q4 2017
EBIT
Q4 2018
(48)
(249)
(116)
(131)
(88)
(632)
(1,610)
(1,090)
(331)
(223)
(1,997)
(5,251)
EBIT
2017
(163)
(305)
(232)
(339)
(188)
(1,227)
EBIT
2018
EBITDA
Q4 2017
EBITDA
Q4 2018
EBITDA
2017
EBITDA
2018
(2,312)
(1,160)
(406)
(633)
1,945
(2,566)
(44)
(47)
(13)
(131)
(88)
(323)
(959)
(56)
(330)
(223)
(451)
(2,019)
(105)
(71)
(22)
(339)
(188)
(725)
(1,651)
(126)
(362)
(633)
3,491
719
1 For definition see “Alternative Performance Measures Used by the Bayer Group.”
Financial result and income before income taxes
Including a financial result of minus €1,596 million (2017: minus €1,326 million), income before
income taxes was €2,318 million (2017: €4,577 million). Among other items, the financial result
comprised a loss from investments in affiliated companies of €87 million (2017: income of
€30 million), net interest expense of €1,065 million (2017: €413 million), an exchange loss of
€271 million (2017: €326 million), interest cost of €202 million (2017: €189 million) for pension and
other provisions, and net other financial income of €29 million (2017: expenses of €428 million).
The financial result included net special charges of €323 million (2017: €611 million), including
special charges of €228 million (2017: €210 million) in connection with the financing of the
Monsanto acquisition, special gains of €230 million (2017: special charges of €172 million) relating
to the exchangeable bond issued in June 2017, special gains of €341 million from the sale of
Covestro shares and special charges of €459 million reflecting changes in the fair value of the
remaining interest in Covestro.
Income tax expense
Income tax expense amounted to €607 million (2017: €1,329 million) after special charges of
€175 million (2017: €455 million) in connection with the integration of Monsanto into the corporate
structures of Bayer (2017: U.S. tax reform).
Income after income taxes from discontinued operations
There was no income after income taxes from discontinued operations in 2018 (2017:
€4,846 million). The prior-year figure was mainly attributable to Covestro, which accounted for
€4,468 million. The latter amount mainly comprised the gain from deconsolidation, the remea-
surement of the remaining interest, and operating income in the first nine months of 2017.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
2.2 Earnings; Asset and Financial Position of the Bayer Group
A Combined Management Report
93
Net income
After income tax expense, income from discontinued operations after taxes and noncontrolling
interest, net income in 2018 came to €1,695 million (2017: €7,336 million).
2.2.2 Business Development by Segment
Pharmaceuticals
Pharmaceuticals market continues to grow
The pharmaceuticals market grew by 5% in 2018 (2017: 3%). Stronger growth momentum in the
Americas, Europe and Asia more than offset the continuing decline in Japan. The overall market
trend was boosted by higher volumes due to an aging population and improved access to medical
care, and also by growth fueled by innovative – often high-end – products. Opposing factors per-
sisted, including heightened price pressure from generics and reforms to national health care
systems.
Key Data – Pharmaceuticals
Change %
1
A 2.2.2/1
Change %
1
€ million
Sales
Change in sales
1
Volume
Price
Currency
Portfolio
Sales by region
Europe / Middle East / Africa
North America
Asia / Pacific
Latin America
EBITDA1
Special items
1
EBITDA before special items
1
EBITDA margin before special items
1
EBIT
1
Special items
1
EBIT before special items
1
Net cash provided
by operating activities
Q4 2017
Q4 2018
Reported Fx & p adj.
2017
2018
Reported Fx & p adj.
4,215
4,291
+ 1.8
+ 2.6
16,847
16,746
– 0.6
+ 3.4
+ 6.4%
+ 3.9%
– 2.8%
– 4.8%
– 0.2%
1,720
1,027
1,188
280
1,107
(128)
1,235
29.3%
795
(187)
982
– 1.3%
– 0.7%
– 0.1%
1,699
1,019
1,312
261
495
(771)
1,266
29.5%
(302)
(1,289)
987
+ 5.2%
– 0.9%
– 1.7%
0.0%
6,521
4,229
5,013
1,084
5,576
(135)
5,711
33.9%
4,325
(340)
4,665
+ 5.7%
– 2.3%
– 3.7%
– 0.3%
6,590
3,965
5,206
985
4,797
(801)
5,598
33.4%
3,213
(1,362)
4,575
0.0
– 2.7
+ 10.1
+ 6.8
– 1.2
– 0.8
+ 10.4
– 6.8
– 55.3
+ 2.5
.
+ 0.5
+ 3.2
– 2.0
+ 7.3
+ 6.7
+ 1.1
– 6.2
+ 3.8
– 9.1
– 14.0
– 2.0
– 25.7
– 1.9
1,330
1,587
+ 19.3
3,867
4,376
+ 13.2
Fx & p adj. = currency- and portfolio-adjusted
1 For definition see A 2.4 “Alternative Performance Measures Used by the Bayer Group.”
Increase in sales
Sales of Pharmaceuticals rose by 3.4% (Fx & portfolio adj.) to €16,746 million in 2018. This was
again due primarily to a strong performance overall by our key growth products Xarelto™,
Eylea™, Stivarga™, Xofigo™ and Adempas™, sales of which increased by 13.5% (Fx & portfolio
adj.) to €6,838 million (2017: €6,196 million), and to substantial sales gains in China. Combined
sales of our 15 best-selling Pharmaceuticals products advanced by 6.1% (Fx & portfolio adj.).
Sales of Pharmaceuticals were held back in 2018 by the termination of a distribution agreement
for Kogenate™ at the end of 2017. After adjusting for this effect, sales rose by 4.1% (Fx & port-
folio adj.). As expected, temporary supply disruptions for some of our established products, such
as Adalat™ and Aspirin™ Cardio, weighed on sales.
94
A Combined Management Report
2.2 Earnings; Asset and Financial Position of the Bayer Group
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A 2.2.2/2
Change %
1
2018
Reported Fx & p adj.
Best-Selling Pharmaceuticals Products
€ million
Xarelto™
of which U.S.A.2
Eylea™
of which U.S.A.3
Adempas™
of which U.S.A.
Xofigo™
of which U.S.A.
Stivarga™
of which U.S.A.
Q4 2017
Q4 2018
Reported Fx & p adj.
Change %
1
914
178
507
0
72
30
101
59
80
41
993
159
600
0
96
45
81
53
86
42
+ 8.6
– 10.7
+ 18.3
.
+ 33.3
+ 50.0
– 19.8
– 10.2
+ 7.5
+ 2.4
+ 9.6
– 10.6
+ 19.1
.
+ 29.9
+ 43.4
– 21.0
– 13.2
+ 8.3
+ 2.0
2017
3,298
519
1,880
0
295
144
408
242
315
166
3,631
508
2,185
0
356
167
351
210
315
149
Subtotal key growth products
1,674
1,856
+ 10.9
+ 11.4
Mirena™ product family
of which U.S.A.
Kogenate™ / Kovaltry™ / Jivi™
of which U.S.A.
Nexavar™
of which U.S.A.
YAZ™ / Yasmin™ / Yasminelle™
of which U.S.A.
Glucobay™
of which U.S.A.
Adalat™
of which U.S.A.
Aspirin™ Cardio
of which U.S.A.
Betaferon™ / Betaseron™
of which U.S.A.
Gadavist™ / Gadovist™
of which U.S.A.
Stellant™
of which U.S.A.
255
161
217
68
204
67
153
14
130
0
147
0
137
0
152
80
89
25
84
59
270
164
216
80
177
54
161
17
150
1
127
0
137
0
139
63
87
20
92
64
Total best-selling products
Proportion of Pharmaceuticals sales
Total best-selling products in U.S.A
3,242
77%
782
3,412
80%
762
+ 5.9
+ 1.9
– 0.5
+ 17.6
– 13.2
– 19.4
+ 5.2
+ 21.4
+ 15.4
.
+ 5.2
– 1.2
– 1.4
+ 15.8
– 12.7
– 21.9
+ 7.6
+ 17.6
+ 17.2
.
– 13.6
– 12.9
.
0.0
.
– 8.6
– 21.3
– 2.2
– 20.0
+ 9.5
+ 8.5
+ 5.2
.
+ 2.1
.
– 8.7
– 22.4
– 0.7
– 22.7
+ 8.3
+ 5.1
+ 5.8
– 2.6
– 4.6
6,196
1,126
6,838
1,143
746
967
322
834
294
648
83
563
2
648
0
581
0
651
357
365
116
336
238
750
855
313
712
216
639
74
623
2
611
0
557
0
544
269
366
112
342
239
12,915
13,230
77%
3,229
79%
3,009
+ 10.1
– 2.1
+ 16.2
.
+ 20.7
+ 16.0
– 14.0
– 13.2
0.0
– 10.2
+ 10.4
+ 1.5
+ 0.5
– 11.6
– 2.8
– 14.6
– 26.5
– 1.4
– 10.8
+ 10.7
0.0
– 5.7
.
– 4.1
.
– 16.4
– 24.6
+ 0.3
– 3.4
+ 1.8
+ 0.4
+ 2.4
+ 12.8
– 2.1
+ 19.6
.
+ 24.1
+ 20.9
– 10.3
– 9.1
+ 5.3
– 6.2
+ 13.5
+ 6.9
+ 6.2
– 8.8
+ 2.4
– 10.7
– 23.4
+ 4.9
– 7.0
+ 13.8
– 1.8
– 2.4
.
– 0.1
.
– 13.0
– 20.8
+ 4.7
+ 2.0
+ 5.8
+ 5.0
+ 6.1
– 6.8
– 2.9
Fx & p adj. = currency- and portfolio-adjusted
1 For definition see A 2.4 “Alternative Performance Measures Used by the Bayer Group.”
2 Marketing rights owned by a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, U.S.A.; transactional effects had a positive impact of around €5 million in the fourth quarter and a
negative impact of approximately €16 million in the full year.
3 Marketing rights owned by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc., U.S.A.
+13.5%
increase in sales of our
key growth products
(Fx & portfolio adj.)
Sales by product
// We once again registered significant growth in sales of our oral anticoagulant Xarelto™ in 2018,
which was primarily attributable to higher volumes in Europe, China and Canada. In the United
States, where Xarelto™ is marketed by a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, license revenues –
recognized as sales – were down year on year.
// The significant expansion of business with our eye medicine Eylea™ resulted mainly from higher
volumes in Europe, Japan and Canada.
// We posted strong growth in sales of our pulmonary hypertension treatment Adempas™, pri-
marily as a result of expanded volumes in the United States. As in the past, sales of the product
also reflected the proportionate recognition of upfront and milestone payments resulting from
the sGC collaboration with Merck & Co., United States.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
2.2 Earnings; Asset and Financial Position of the Bayer Group
A Combined Management Report
95
// Sales of our cancer drug Xofigo™ declined substantially. The decrease was mainly attributable
to lower demand in the United States and Europe, which was due in particular to the Phase III
trial of radium-223 dichloride in combination with abiraterone acetate and prednisone / predniso-
lone being halted prematurely in November 2017.
// We registered an increase in sales of our cancer drug Stivarga™, primarily in China and Japan,
where we continued to benefit from the market launches undertaken in previous years. In the
United States, however, sales were down due to a highly competitive market environment.
// Sales of the hormone-releasing intrauterine devices of the Mirena™ product family (Mirena™,
Kyleena™ and Jaydess™ / Skyla™) increased, mainly as a result of the successful commerciali-
zation of Kyleena™ in the United States. We also registered considerably higher volumes in
China and Canada.
// Sales of our blood-clotting medicines Kogenate™ / Kovaltry™ / Jivi™ fell considerably, due
mainly to the discontinuation of an agreement with a distribution partner. The encouraging re-
cent sales growth (Fx & portfolio adj.) in the United States was not sufficient to offset this effect.
// We registered a sharp decline in sales of our cancer drug Nexavar™ that was again the result of
strong competitive pressure in the United States and Japan. The significant expansion of busi-
ness in China only partly compensated for this development.
// Sales of our YAZ™ / Yasmin™ / Yasminelle™ line of oral contraceptives increased on a currency-
and portfolio-adjusted basis, primarily due to higher demand in China and the successful mar-
keting of YazFlex™ in Japan. However, business in the United States was once again impacted
by generic competition.
// We posted significant sales gains for our diabetes treatment Glucobay™, driven by a robust
expansion of volumes in China.
// Sales of Adalat™, our product to treat hypertension and coronary heart disease, were down
overall. Volumes declined overall, especially in Japan and Canada, but were significantly higher
in China.
// Sales of our Aspirin™ Cardio product for the secondary prevention of heart attacks were level
with the prior year. Sales gains in China stood against declines in Europe.
// The decrease in sales of our multiple sclerosis treatment Betaferon™ / Betaseron™ was again
attributable to the competitive market environment in the United States.
// We recorded encouraging sales gains for our MRI contrast agent Gadavist™ / Gadovist™,
primarily due to the positive development of business in Europe.
// Sales of our Stellant™ contrast agent injection system increased due to higher volumes, partic-
ularly in the United States.
Earnings
EBITDA before special items declined by 2.0% to €5,598 million in 2018. Adjusted for negative
currency effects of €256 million, earnings were up by 2.5%. Earnings were held back mainly by an
increase in the cost of goods sold, the effects of temporary supply disruptions, and higher selling
expenses. Positive earnings contributions primarily resulted from a substantial increase in volumes
– especially for Xarelto™ und Eylea™ – and income of approximately €190 million from a devel-
opment collaboration with Janssen Research & Development, LLC, a subsidiary of Johnson &
Johnson.
EBIT of Pharmaceuticals fell by a substantial 25.7% to €3,213 million after special charges of
€1,362 million (2017: €340 million). These primarily comprised expenses for restructuring pro-
grams (€991 million), largely in connection with the impairment loss recognized for a newly con-
structed production facility in Germany, along with provisions for litigations (€323 million) and ex-
penses for impairment losses on intangible assets (€43 million).
96
A Combined Management Report
2.2 Earnings; Asset and Financial Position of the Bayer Group
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Special Items
1 Pharmaceuticals
€ million
Restructuring
Litigations
Impairment losses / loss reversals
Divestments
Other
EBIT
Q4 2017
EBIT
Q4 2018
(2)
(124)
(61)
–
–
(971)
(323)
(32)
41
(4)
EBIT
2017
(9)
(124)
(207)
–
–
EBIT
2018
(991)
(323)
(75)
41
(14)
EBITDA
Q4 2017
EBITDA
Q4 2018
EBITDA
2017
EBITDA
2018
(2)
(124)
(2)
–
–
(453)
(323)
(32)
41
(4)
(8)
(124)
(3)
–
–
(473)
(323)
(32)
41
(14)
Total special items
(187)
(1,289)
(340)
(1,362)
(128)
(771)
(135)
(801)
1 For definition see A 2.4 “Alternative Performance Measures Used by the Bayer Group.”
A 2.2.2/3
Consumer Health
Stable market growth
Growth of the global consumer health market in 2018 was just under 4% (2017: 4%). Strong fun-
damentals of a growing, aging population and the self-care trend were slightly offset by the soft
allergy season in the United States.
Key Data – Consumer Health
€ million
Sales
Changes in sales
1
Volume
Price
Currency
Portfolio
Sales by region
Europe / Middle East / Africa
North America
Asia / Pacific
Latin America
EBITDA1
Special items
1
EBITDA before special items
1
EBIT
1
Special items
1
EBIT before special items
1
Net cash provided
by operating activities
EBITDA margin before special items
1
17.9%
Q4 2017
Q4 2018
Reported Fx & p adj.
1,399
1,331
– 4.9
– 1.7
Change %
1
– 4.2%
0.0%
– 4.9%
0.0%
– 3.1%
+ 1.4%
– 1.5%
– 1.7%
491
581
145
182
197
(54)
251
(110)
(258)
148
– 0.9
– 6.5
+ 13.8
– 0.4
474
534
163
160
211
(68)
279
21.0%
(2,607)
(2,781)
– 3.5
– 8.1
+ 12.4
– 12.1
7.1
+ 11.2
.
174
+ 17.6
A 2.2.2/4
Change %
1
2018
Reported Fx & p adj.
5,450
– 7.0
– 0.7
– 1.5%
+ 0.8%
– 5.7%
– 0.6%
1,857
2,263
730
600
1,035
(61)
1,096
20.1%
(2,077)
(2,776)
– 1.5
– 2.6
+ 3.5
+ 4.2
– 5.4
– 8.8
– 1.1
– 12.0
– 9.6
– 11.0
.
699
– 14.5
2017
5,862
– 3.0%
+ 1.3%
– 1.2%
0.0%
1,962
2,480
738
682
1,145
(86)
1,231
21.0%
518
(300)
818
297
196
– 34.0
1,059
727
– 31.4
Fx & p adj. = currency- and portfolio-adjusted
1 For definition see A 2.4 “Alternative Performance Measures Used by the Bayer Group.”
Sales level year on year
Sales were level year on year in 2018, at €5,450 million (Fx & portfolio adj. – 0.7%). Growth in the
Latin America and Asia / Pacific regions on a currency- and portfolio-adjusted basis stood against
declines in North America and Europe / Middle East / Africa. As expected, temporary supply disrup-
tions weighed on sales.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
2.2 Earnings; Asset and Financial Position of the Bayer Group
A Combined Management Report
97
Best-Selling Consumer Health Products
Change %
1
A 2.2.2/5
Change %
1
€ million
Claritin™
Aspirin™
Bepanthen™ / Bepanthol™
Aleve™
Canesten™
Alka-Seltzer™ product family
Elevit™
One A Day™
Dr. Scholl’s™ ²
MiraLAX™
Total
Proportion of Consumer Health sales
Q4 2017
Q4 2018
Reported Fx & p adj.
2017
2018
Reported Fx & p adj.
113
124
96
103
68
73
42
63
54
41
777
56%
96
118
90
94
61
74
49
55
46
49
732
55%
– 15.0
– 17.1
– 4.8
– 6.3
– 8.7
– 10.3
+ 1.4
+ 16.7
– 12.7
– 14.8
+ 19.5
– 5.8
– 2.6
– 3.9
– 9.9
– 7.8
– 1.0
+ 19.2
– 15.2
– 17.4
+ 17.7
– 6.5
585
462
379
375
278
244
189
222
211
163
516
418
371
351
245
225
209
203
198
176
3,108
53%
2,912
53%
– 11.8
– 9.5
– 2.1
– 6.4
– 11.9
– 7.8
+ 10.6
– 8.6
– 6.2
+ 8.0
– 6.3
– 6.3
– 3.3
+ 3.0
– 1.8
– 8.2
– 3.9
+ 16.9
– 4.3
– 1.7
+ 12.4
– 1.8
Fx & p adj. = currency- and portfolio-adjusted
1 For definition see A 2.4 “Alternative Performance Measures Used by the Bayer Group.”
2 Trademark rights and distribution only in certain countries outside the European Union
Sales by product
// Sales of our antihistamine Claritin™ were down year on year. This was mainly due to our
primary sales market, the United States, which was impacted by the weak season in this
market segment and by intensified competition. Sales also declined in Japan, due in part to
statutory price adjustments.
// Sales of our analgesic Aspirin™ were down year on year, primarily as a result of temporary
supply disruptions. Including business with Aspirin™ Cardio, which is reported under
Pharmaceuticals, sales fell by 1.5% (Fx & portfolio adj.) to €975 million (2017: €1,043 million).
// Business with our Bepanthen™ / Bepanthol™ wound and skin care products developed
positively, benefiting from product line extensions in Brazil and Turkey, among other factors.
// Sales were down slightly for our analgesic Aleve™. We primarily registered declines in the
United States, where a product line extension was discontinued.
// We recorded a decrease in sales of our Canesten™ skin and intimate health products as a
result of temporary supply disruptions.
// Sales of our Alka-Seltzer™ family of products to treat gastric complaints and cold symptoms
were down against the prior year, particularly in the United States. By contrast, business
developed positively in the Europe / Middle East / Africa and Latin America regions.
// We again registered encouraging sales gains for our prenatal vitamin Elevit™. Adjusted for
currency and portfolio effects, sales increased by a double-digit percentage, driven by the
Asia / Pacific and Europe / Middle East / Africa regions, where we benefited from continuing
strong demand and product line extensions. In addition, the expansion of our e-commerce
activities had a positive effect in Asia / Pacific.
// Our One A Day™ vitamin product saw a decline in sales that resulted primarily from stronger
pressure on prices in the United States, while volumes were level with the previous year.
// Sales of our Dr. Scholl’s™ foot care products declined slightly, primarily in the United States.
// We posted encouraging sales gains for MiraLAX™, our product to treat occasional constipation,
largely due to higher demand in the United States.
Earnings
EBITDA before special items was down by a significant 11.0% in 2018, at €1,096 million. Adjust-
ed for negative currency effects of €67 million, earnings were 5.5% lower than in 2017. The de-
cline was primarily attributable to lower volumes and a decrease in one-time gains that predomi-
nantly related to the divestment of noncore brands. A decline in selling and general administration
expenses had an opposing effect.
98
A Combined Management Report
2.2 Earnings; Asset and Financial Position of the Bayer Group
Bayer Annual Report 2018
EBIT of Consumer Health amounted to minus €2,077 million (2017: €518 million). This was due
to special items of €2,776 million (2017: €300 million) that mostly related to impairment losses
recognized on goodwill (approximately €1.5 billion) and on other intangible assets (approximately
€1.0 billion).
Special Items
1 Consumer Health
A 2.2.2/6
€ million
Restructuring
Impairment losses / loss
reversals
Divestments
Other
EBIT
Q4 2017
EBIT
Q4 2018
(56)
(59)
EBIT
2017
(98)
EBIT
2018
EBITDA
Q4 2017
EBITDA
Q4 2018
EBITDA
2017
EBITDA
2018
(85)
(54)
(59)
(86)
(83)
(202)
(2,713)
(202)
(2,713)
–
–
(8)
(1)
–
–
25
(3)
–
–
–
–
(8)
(1)
–
–
–
–
25
(3)
(61)
Total special items
(258)
(2,781)
(300)
(2,776)
(54)
(68)
(86)
1 For definition see A 2.4 “Alternative Performance Measures Used by the Bayer Group.”
Crop Science
Market expands slightly
The global seed and crop protection market as a whole expanded slightly in 2018, growing by
around 2% (2017: 2%), with demand for high-quality seeds rising faster than worldwide volumes
of crop protection products. Growth momentum was strongest in the Asia / Pacific, North America
and Latin America regions. Latin America, in particular, saw an above-average increase in market
volume following the normalization of inventory levels for crop protection products in the Brazilian
market and an expansion of soybean acreages. On the other hand, the market in Central and
Western Europe stagnated due to a very hot, dry summer.
Key Data – Crop Science
€ million
Sales
Change in sales
1
Volume
Price
Currency
Portfolio
Sales by region
Europe / Middle East / Africa
North America
Asia / Pacific
Latin America
EBITDA1
Special items
1
EBITDA before special items
1
EBIT
1
Special items
1
EBIT before special items
1
Net cash provided
by operating activities
Q4 2017
Q4 2018
Reported Fx & p adj.
2,263
4,661
+ 106.0
15.4
Change %
1
A 2.2.2/7
Change %
1
2018
Reported Fx & p adj.
14,266
+ 49.0
+ 6.1
+ 5.9%
+ 0.2%
– 4.3%
2017
9,577
+ 0.3%
– 2.5%
– 1.2%
+ 4.2
+ 32.8
+ 24.2
+ 8.7
+ 34.5
.
+ 48.0
+ 86.2
.
+ 78.6
.
– 76.7
0.0%
+ 47.2%
3,335
2,772
1,563
1,907
1,716
(327)
2,043
21.3%
1,235
(408)
1,643
3,689
4,696
1,858
4,023
4,500
1,849
2,651
18.6%
3,138
1,841
1,297
+ 10.6
+ 69.4
+ 18.9
+ 111.0
+ 162.2
+ 29.8
+ 154.1
– 21.1
– 3.0
+ 7.5
+ 9.7
+ 17.1
+ 5.3%
+ 14.2%
– 4.2%
– 7.0%
+ 1.2%
+ 1.3%
0.0%
+ 89.3%
440
479
358
986
193
(111)
304
592
1,703
530
1,836
(441)
(984)
543
64
(155)
219
(934)
(985)
51
Fx & p adj. = currency- and portfolio-adjusted
1 For definition see A 2.4 “Alternative Performance Measures Used by the Bayer Group.”
552
1,549
+ 180.6
1,884
3,743
+ 98.7
EBITDA margin before special items
1
13.4%
11.6%
Bayer Annual Report 2018
2.2 Earnings; Asset and Financial Position of the Bayer Group
A Combined Management Report
99
Sales up significantly against prior year
Crop Science posted sales of €14,226 million in 2018. The businesses divested to BASF contrib-
uted approximately €1,500 million to sales prior to the closing of the respective transactions in
August. Sales increased by 49.0% on a reported basis, thanks mainly to a positive portfolio effect
of 47.2% due to the acquisition of Monsanto (€5,288 million) less the prorated contribution from
the divested businesses in the prior year (€767 million). Sales were also impacted by negative
currency effects of 4.3%. The 6.1% increase on a currency- and portfolio-adjusted basis largely
resulted from the normalization of crop protection inventories in Brazil, where the prior-year figure
had been impacted by the required measures in this context, and from positive sales development
in the Asia / Pacific and North America regions. Sales also benefited from service agreements –
especially product supply and distribution agreements – with BASF in connection with the divest-
ed businesses. By contrast, sales were down in Europe due to unfavorable weather conditions
and regulatory changes affecting certain SeedGrowth products in France.
Sales by Strategic Business Unit
€ million
Crop Science
Herbicides
Corn Seed & Traits
Soybean Seed & Traits
Fungicides
Insecticides
Environmental Science
Vegetable Seeds
Other
Q4 2017
Q4 2018
Reported Fx & p adj.
Change %
1
2,263
526
4
57
755
268
183
102
368
4,661
1,172
1,036
602
757
364
229
91
410
+ 106.0
+ 122.8
.
.
+ 0.3
+ 35.8
+ 25.1
– 10.8
+ 11.4
+ 15.4
+ 12.3
– 19.2
+ 26.2
– 2.0
+ 34.4
+ 9.3
– 0.2
+ 47.8
Fx & p adj. = currency- and portfolio-adjusted
1 For definition see A 2.4 “Alternative Performance Measures Used by the Bayer Group.”
A 2.2.2/8
Change %
1
2018
Reported Fx & p adj.
2017
9,577
2,633
87
210
2,597
1,246
671
434
14,266
4,171
1,808
1,200
2,647
1,345
732
629
1,699
1,734
+ 49.0
+ 58.4
.
.
+ 1.9
+ 7.9
+ 9.1
+ 44.9
+ 2.1
+ 6.1
+ 1.5
– 12.2
+ 11.4
+ 4.8
+ 12.3
– 3.3
+ 1.0
+ 16.0
Sales by region
// Sales in the Europe / Middle East / Africa region improved by 13.7% (Fx adj.) to €3,689 million.
There was a portfolio effect of €557 million. On a currency- and portfolio-adjusted basis, sales
fell by 3.0%. The SeedGrowth business (Other) in particular saw a decline due to the loss of
registrations in France. We also posted slightly lower sales at Fungicides and Herbicides, pri-
marily due to unfavorable weather conditions in Central and Western Europe.
// In the North America region, we posted a 75.4% (Fx adj.) increase in sales to €4,696 million.
The portfolio effect was €1,881 million. The 7.5% increase on a currency- and portfolio-
adjusted basis was chiefly attributable to sales generated by the service agreements with BASF
in connection with the divested SeedGrowth business (Other) and to strong growth of the sub-
sequently divested canola seed business (Other) in Canada in the first half of the year. We also
saw encouraging sales gains at Fungicides, in part due to new product launches. The decline in
sales at Environmental Science resulted from planned lower product deliveries to the acquirer of
the consumer business divested in 2016.
// Sales in Asia / Pacific increased by 25.0% (Fx adj.) year on year to €1,858 million. The portfolio
effect amounted to €238 million. Sales expanded by 9.7% on a currency- and portfolio-adjusted
basis. We registered sales gains in all business units, especially Herbicides, Fungicides and In-
secticides due to higher volumes. The expansion of business was particularly strong in China,
Japan, India and Southeast Asia.
// Sales in Latin America advanced by 113.8% (Fx adj.) to €4,023 million, with the portfolio effect
amounting to €1,844 million. We posted a 17.1% sales increase on a currency- and portfolio-
adjusted basis. This development was largely attributable to the effects in the previous year of
significantly higher provisions recognized for product returns and of lower sales of crop protec-
tion products due to high inventory levels in Brazil. The measures undertaken to normalize in-
ventories of crop protection products were successfully completed at the end of the season,
during the second quarter of 2018. Excluding Brazil, sales were down slightly in the other Latin
American countries.
100
A Combined Management Report
2.2 Earnings; Asset and Financial Position of the Bayer Group
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Earnings
EBITDA before special items of Crop Science advanced by 29.8% to €2,651 million in 2018. This
increase is primarily attributable to the earnings contribution from the newly acquired business
(€705 million) and the recognition in the second quarter of 2017 of significantly higher provisions
for product returns in Brazil. By contrast, earnings were diminished by the prior-year prorated
earnings contribution from the businesses divested to BASF, a decrease in volumes in Europe and
a negative currency effect of €101 million (excluding the acquired business).
EBIT increased by 154.1% to €3,138 million, and included special gains of €1,841 million (2017:
special charges of €408 million) primarily resulting from divestment proceeds of approximately
€4.1 billion before taxes in connection with the sale of businesses to BASF. However, earnings
were held back by special charges relating to the acquisition of Monsanto in the amount of
€1,931 million, of which €1,256 million pertained to reversals of inventory step-ups, and by de-
fense costs for litigations. Also included in EBIT were additional depreciation and amortization in
the amount of €645 million resulting from remeasurements or the first-time recognition of assets in
the course of the purchase price allocation.
Special Items
1 Crop Science
€ million
Restructuring
Litigations
Acquisition costs
Impairment losses / loss reversals
Divestments
Other
Total special items
EBIT
Q4 2017
EBIT
Q4 2018
(7)
(1)
(103)
(41)
(3)
–
(155)
(27)
(243)
(839)
–
125
–
(984)
EBIT
2017
(32)
(4)
EBIT
2018
(35)
(249)
(5)
(1)
(273)
(1,931)
(103)
(41)
(58)
–
–
4,060
(4)
–
(2)
–
(408)
1,841
(111)
A 2.2.2/9
EBITDA
Q4 2017
EBITDA
Q4 2018
EBITDA
2017
EBITDA
2018
(27)
(243)
(839)
–
125
–
(984)
(17)
(4)
(35)
(249)
(273)
(1,924)
–
(33)
–
–
4,061
(4)
(327)
1,849
1 For definition see A 2.4 “Alternative Performance Measures Used by the Bayer Group.”
Pro-forma sales by strategic business entity (unaudited)
Due to the scope of the acquired activities and the seasonality of the business, we are present-
ing sales by strategic business entity on an unaudited, pro-forma basis in order to more trans-
parently reflect the underlying operational business development for the combined business of
Crop Science and Monsanto, among other reasons. In this context, sales are presented as if
both the acquisition of Monsanto and the associated divestments had already taken place as of
January 1, 2017. Sales from the aforementioned service agreements with BASF after the divest-
ments closed are not taken into account.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
2.2 Earnings; Asset and Financial Position of the Bayer Group
A Combined Management Report
101
Pro-Forma Sales by Strategic Business Unit
1
Change %
2
A 2.2.2/10
Change %
2
€ million
Crop Science
Herbicides
Corn Seed & Traits
Soybean Seed & Traits
Fungicides
Insecticides
Environmental Science
Vegetable Seeds
Other
Q4 2017
Q4 2018
Reported
Fx adj.
2017
2018
Reported
Fx adj.
4,379
1,071
1,022
690
755
268
216
107
250
4,511
1,125
1,036
651
753
366
228
91
261
+ 3.0
+ 5.0
+ 1.4
– 5.7
– 0.3
+ 36.6
+ 5.6
– 15.0
+ 4.4
+ 3.1
+ 5.0
+ 1.7
– 1.0
– 2.0
+ 35.5
+ 4.3
– 15.3
0.8
20,063
19,332
5,104
5,112
2,645
2,597
1,248
1,041
706
1,610
5,014
4,871
2,378
2,643
1,346
955
670
1,455
– 3.6
– 1.8
– 4.7
– 10.1
+ 1.8
+ 7.9
– 8.3
– 5.1
– 9.6
+ 3.1
+ 3.8
+ 3.9
– 0.5
+ 5.3
+ 12.7
– 3.0
– 0.7
– 1.8
Fx adj. = currency-adjusted
1 The unaudited pro-forma data is presented as if both the acquisition of Monsanto and the associated divestments had taken place as of January 1, 2017.
Sales of Monsanto are presented in periods as per the Bayer fiscal year. One-time effects of business operations, the accounting for discontinued operations and
the recognition and measurement of sales from certain business transactions have been adjusted in line with our accounting. Due to this simplified procedure,
they explicitly do not reflect sales according to IFRS or IDW RH HFA 1.004.
2 For definition see A 2.4 “Alternative Performance Measures Used by the Bayer Group.”
Sales increased by 3.1% (Fx adj.) in 2018 on a pro-forma basis.
// The increase at Herbicides resulted mainly from higher prices and expanded volumes in Latin
America, as well as the aforementioned measures undertaken in the previous year to normalize
inventories in Brazil. By contrast, sales were down slightly in North America, due primarily to
unfavorable weather conditions in the first half of the year.
// Higher sales in the Corn Seed & Traits business were largely attributable to shifts in sales from
the previous year in North America due to later purchasing, and to a special effect in Latin
America and the associated license revenues in Brazil.
// Sales at Soybean Seed & Traits came in at the prior-year level. We recorded a decline in North
America due to a slight decrease in market share, lower acreages and seasonal shifts from
2018 into 2019. By contrast, sales increased in Latin America, mainly due to increased acreag-
es and higher market penetration by Intacta RR2 PRO™.
// Sales growth at Fungicides and Insecticides was largely attributable to the aforementioned
situation in Brazil in the prior year.
// The strategic business units subsumed under Other were down overall, primarily due to the
decline at SeedGrowth as a result of the aforementioned loss of registrations in France. On the
other hand, we saw very encouraging growth at Cotton Seed & Traits due to increased acreag-
es in Latin America and in North America, where higher market penetration by XtendFlex™ also
had a positive effect.
Animal Health
Stable market growth
The animal health market grew by a solid 5% in 2018 (2017: 2%). Both the companion and farm
animals businesses experienced a significant upturn in the first half of the year, which then nor-
malized over the course of the second half of the year. Market expansion was driven by dynamic
growth in the Asia / Pacific and Latin America regions, while the markets in Europe / Middle East /
Africa and North America grew at a slow pace.
102
A Combined Management Report
2.2 Earnings; Asset and Financial Position of the Bayer Group
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Key Data – Animal Health
€ million
Sales
Change in sales
1
Volume
Price
Currency
Portfolio
Sales by region
Europe / Middle East / Africa
North America
Asia / Pacific
Latin America
EBITDA1
Special items
1
EBITDA before special items
1
Q4 2017
Q4 2018
Reported Fx & p adj.
322
330
+ 2.5
+ 2.6
Change %
1
A 2.2.2/11
Change %
1
2018
Reported Fx & p adj.
1,501
– 4.5
+ 0.5
+ 2.1%
– 0.3%
– 6.1%
+ 2.2%
+ 1.0%
+ 1.6%
– 0.1%
0.0%
82
126
79
35
28
(21)
49
80
136
78
36
46
(1)
47
2017
1,571
+ 0.4%
+ 1.6%
– 0.9%
+ 2.1%
442
655
317
157
352
(29)
381
307
(31)
338
209
+ 0.8%
– 0.3%
– 5.0%
0.0%
409
628
317
147
351
(7)
358
312
(7)
319
24.3%
23.9%
– 2.9
+ 4.4
+ 0.1
+ 12.1
– 2.4
+ 7.9
– 1.3
+ 2.9
+ 64.3
– 4.1
.
+ 12.1
– 5.3
– 6.5
+ 1.6
+ 5.0
+ 5.7
– 7.5
– 4.1
0.0
– 6.4
– 0.3
– 6.0
+ 1.6
– 5.6
EBITDA margin before special items
1
15.2%
14.2%
EBIT
1
Special items
1
EBIT before special items
1
Net cash provided
by operating activities
10
(23)
33
75
36
(1)
37
71
271
+ 29.7
Fx & p adj. = currency- and portfolio-adjusted
1 For definition see A 2.4 “Alternative Performance Measures Used by the Bayer Group.”
Sales level year on year, with growth in Asia / Pacific and Latin America
Sales of Animal Health came in at €1,501 million in 2018, matching the prior-year level (Fx & port-
folio adj. + 0.5%). Business in the Asia / Pacific region developed positively due to higher demand
and minor price increases. We also posted growth in sales in Latin America on a currency- and
portfolio-adjusted basis as a result of higher selling prices. Business in North America expanded
slightly after adjusting for currency and portfolio effects, while sales in the Europe / Middle East /
Africa region declined significantly due to a sharp fall in demand. Sales were also negatively im-
pacted by amended financial reporting standards (IFRS 15).
Best-Selling Animal Health Products
Change %1
A 2.2.2/12
Change %1
€ million
Q4 2017
Q4 2018
Reported Fx & p adj.
2017
2018
Reported Fx & p adj.
Advantage™ product family
Seresto™
Drontal™ product family
Baytril™
Total
Proportion of Animal Health sales
87
32
30
31
180
56%
74
52
30
38
194
59%
– 14.9
+ 62.5
0.0
+ 22.6
+ 7.8
– 14.9
+ 58.3
– 0.9
+ 21.9
+ 6.9
488
218
132
113
951
61%
421
268
123
112
924
62%
– 13.7
+ 22.9
– 6.8
– 0.9
– 2.8
– 9.3
+ 28.5
– 3.7
+ 3.9
+ 1.7
Fx & p adj. = currency- and portfolio-adjusted
1 For definition see A 2.4 “Alternative Performance Measures Used by the Bayer Group.”
+ 28.5%
growth in sales
of Seresto™
(Fx & portfolio adj.)
Sales by product
// Sales of our Advantage™ family of flea, tick and worm control products were down significantly
year on year, due mainly to increased competitive pressure and the related decline in demand in
Europe / Middle East / Africa, especially in the United Kingdom, and in North America.
// We achieved continued strong growth with our Seresto™ flea and tick collar that resulted
chiefly from higher volumes in the United States and Europe.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
2.2 Earnings; Asset and Financial Position of the Bayer Group
A Combined Management Report
103
// Business with our Drontal™ line of dewormers declined due to lower demand in the Europe /
Middle East / Africa and North America regions.
// The increase in sales of our Baytril™ antibiotic resulted particularly from higher volumes in the
United States and Latin America.
Earnings
EBITDA before special items declined by 6.0% to €358 million in 2018. Adjusted for negative
currency effects of €26 million, earnings matched the prior-year level (+ 0.8%). An increase in the
cost of goods sold and a negative impact on earnings from the application of IFRS 15 were offset
by lower expenses in all functional areas – primarily general administration and selling expenses –
and other factors.
EBIT of Animal Health increased by 1.6% to €312 million after special charges of €7 million (2017:
€31 million) in connection with efficiency improvement measures.
Special Items
1 Animal Health
€ million
Restructuring
Total special items
EBIT
Q4 2017
EBIT
Q4 2018
(23)
(23)
(1)
(1)
EBIT
2017
(31)
(31)
EBIT
2018
EBITDA
Q4 2017
EBITDA
Q4 2018
EBITDA
2017
EBITDA
2018
(7)
(7)
(21)
(21)
(1)
(1)
(29)
(29)
(7)
(7)
1 For definition see A 2.4 “Alternative Performance Measures Used by the Bayer Group.”
A 2.2.2/13
2.2.3 Value-Based Performance
Value-Based Performance by Segment
A 2.2.3/1
Pharmaceuticals
Consumer Health
Crop Science
Animal Health
Group
1
€ million
EBIT
1
Taxes
1,3
NOPAT
1
2017
2018
4,325
3,213
(1,038)
(771)
3,287
2,442
2017
518
(124)
394
(2,077)
1,235
3,138
498
(1,579)
(296)
939
(753)
2,385
Average capital employed
1
15,630
14,721
14,404
12,278
9,814
37,614
307
(74)
233
495
312
5,903
3,914
(75)
(1,417)
(939)
237
623
4,486
2,975
41,600
67,537
2018
2017
2018
2017
2018
2017
2018
ROCE
1
WACC
1
21.0%
16.6%
2.7%
(12.9)%
6.9%
6.7%
6.9%
6.7%
9.6%
6.9%
6.3%
47.1%
38.0%
10.8%
6.7%
6.9%
6.7%
6.9%
4.4%
6.7%
1 For definition see A 2.4 “Alternative Performance Measures Used by the Bayer Group.”
2 Including Reconciliation
3 24% on EBIT; based on historical average of tax rates
Bayer’s ROCE in 2018 amounted to 4.4%, which was 2.3 percentage points below the Bayer
Group’s cost of capital of 6.7%. The year-on-year changes were driven primarily by special
items, which had a significant impact on all segments. Special gains from one-time divestment
proceeds, such as those from the divestments of Crop Science businesses made to satisfy anti-
trust requirements, had a positive impact on ROCE. By contrast, the results of annual impairment
tests (Pharmaceuticals and Consumer Health) and a significantly higher capital employed basis
as a result of the Monsanto acquisition (Crop Science) weighed heavily on the ROCE of the re-
spective segments.
The following overview shows the composition of the average capital employed that was used to
calculate ROCE.
104
A Combined Management Report
2.2 Earnings; Asset and Financial Position of the Bayer Group
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Components of Capital Employed
1
€ million
Goodwill
Other intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Other financial assets
2
Inventories
Trade accounts receivable
Other receivables
2
Deferred tax assets
2
Claims for income tax refunds
Assets held for sale
Gross capital employed
Other provisions
2
Trade accounts payable
Other liabilities
2
Refund liabilities
Contract liabilities
Financial liabilities
2
Deferred tax liabilities
2
Income tax liabilities
Liabilities directly related to assets held for sale
Capital employed
Average capital employed
A 2.2.3/2
Dec. 31,
2018
38,146
36,746
12,944
42
10,961
11,836
1,850
1,666
809
234
Dec. 31,
2017
14,751
11,674
7,633
47
6,550
8,582
1,293
2,371
474
2,081
55,456
115,234
(5,602)
(5,129)
(2,093)
–
–
(4)
(910)
(917)
(111)
40,690
41,600
(6,807)
(5,414)
(1,685)
(3,789)
(4,221)
(1)
(4,532)
(2,465)
(12)
86,308
67,537
see also A 1.2.2
1 For definition see A 2.4 “Alternative Performance Measures Used by the Bayer Group.”
2 Selected items of the component: nonoperative or non-interest-bearing items eliminated within capital employed
The Monsanto acquisition closed in June 2018, and thus during the year. This is taken into ac-
count in the average capital employed calculation through a month-based weighting of the capital
employed values for the Crop Science segment and thus, on a prorated basis, for the Group as
well. This approach serves to illustrate the corresponding impact on average capital employed
over the course of the year due to the point in time the acquisition occurred.
2.2.4 Asset and Financial Position of the Bayer Group
Financial management of the Bayer Group
The financial management of the Bayer Group is conducted by Bayer AG. Capital is a global re-
source, generally procured centrally and distributed within the Bayer Group. The foremost objec-
tives of our financial management are to help bring about a sustained increase in corporate value
and to ensure the Bayer Group’s liquidity and creditworthiness. This involves optimizing the capital
structure and effectively managing risks. The management of currency, interest-rate, commodity-
price and default risks helps to reduce the volatility of our earnings.
The contracted rating agencies revised their ratings following the acquisition of Monsanto and
now assess Bayer as follows:
Rating
S & P Global Ratings
Moody’s
Fitch Ratings
Long-term
rating
Short-term
rating
BBB
Baa1
A–
A2
P2
F2
A 2.2.4/1
Outlook
stable
negative
stable
Bayer Annual Report 2018
2.2 Earnings; Asset and Financial Position of the Bayer Group
A Combined Management Report
105
These investment grade ratings from all three agencies reflect the company’s high solvency and
ensure access to a broad investor base for financing purposes. Our stated aim is to also achieve
A-category long-term ratings from S & P Global Ratings and Moody’s.
As a matter of principle, we pursue a prudent debt management strategy to ensure flexibility, draw-
ing on a balanced financing portfolio. This is fundamentally based on bonds in various currencies,
syndicated credit facilities, bilateral loan agreements and a global commercial paper program.
We use financial derivatives to hedge against risks arising from business operations or financial
transactions, but do not employ contracts in the absence of an underlying transaction. It is our
policy to diminish default risks by selecting trading partners with a high credit standing. We closely
monitor the execution of all transactions, which are conducted in accordance with Bayer Group
policies.
See also A 3.2.2
Liquidity and Capital Expenditures of the Bayer Group
Bayer Group Summary Statements of Cash Flows
€ million
Q4 2017
Q4 2018
2017
2018
A 2.2.4/2
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities,
continuing operations
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities,
discontinued operations
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities (total)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (total)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (total)
Change in cash and cash equivalents due to
business activities
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
1
Change due to exchange rate movements and to changes in
scope of consolidation
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
2,256
2,968
6,611
7,917
13
2,269
1,709
(1,906)
2,072
5,555
(46)
7,581
–
2,968
(571)
1,523
8,134
–
7,917
(432)
(34,152)
(3,172)
(1,881)
23,432
(775)
4,850
(23)
4,052
5,821
1,899
(139)
7,581
(2,803)
7,435
(580)
4,052
1 The difference in cash and cash equivalents at end of period 2017 and beginning of period 2018 is due to a reclassification through
the application of IFRS 9.
Net cash provided by operating activities
The net cash provided by operating activities in continuing operations increased by 19.8% to
€7,917 million thanks to a reduction in cash tied up in working capital. However, net cash pro-
vided by operating activities (total) fell by 2.7% as Covestro was still included here in the previous
year.
Net cash used in investing activities
The net cash outflow for investing activities in 2018 amounted to €34,152 million. Cash outflows
for property, plant and equipment and intangible assets were 9.6% higher at €2,593 million (2017:
€2,366 million). Divestments resulted in an inflow of €7,563 million and included the proceeds
from the divestment of part of the crop protection business to BASF. Cash outflows for acquisitions
in the amount of €45,316 million related to the acquisition of Monsanto. Net cash inflows from
current and noncurrent financial assets totaled €5,717 million (2017: €1,230 million), and included
€2,909 million in proceeds from the sale of Covestro shares.
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
In 2018, there was a net cash inflow of €23,432 million for financing activities, including net bor-
rowings of €17,819 million (2017: net loan repayments of €2,479 million). Net interest payments
were 25.5% higher at €919 million (2017: €732 million). The cash outflow for dividends amounted
to €2,407 million (2017: €2,364 million).
Capital increases resulted in an inflow of €8,986 million.
106
A Combined Management Report
2.2 Earnings; Asset and Financial Position of the Bayer Group
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Free cash flow
Free cash flow, which is total operating cash flow less capital expenditures plus interest and
dividends received less interest paid, amounted to €4,652 million in 2018.
Capital Expenditures
Capital Expenditures for Property, Plant and Equipment and for Intangible Assets
1
€ million
Pharmaceuticals
Consumer Health
Crop Science
Animal Health
Corporate functions and Reconciliation
Group
2
1 Capital expenditures as per statement of cash flows
2 2017 Group total includes Covestro
A 2.2.4/3
2018
964
204
1,000
55
370
2,593
2017
915
178
553
38
400
2,366
The highest expenditures for property, plant, and equipment at Pharmaceuticals were moderniza-
tion programs for the production network of our product supply organization (€46 million) and for
our research activities (€39 million) in Wuppertal and Berlin, Germany; the expansion of production
capacities for recombinant products (€37 million) in Leverkusen and Wuppertal, Germany, and for
Eylea™ (€25 million) at our sites in Berlin, Germany, and Shiga, Japan; and the construction of a
pilot plant for continuous solids production (€6 million) in Leverkusen, Germany.
Capital expenditures for intangible assets included a milestone payment of US$275 million to Loxo
Oncology, Inc. in connection with the FDA approval of Vitrakvi™ in the United States.
At approximately €45 million, Consumer Health’s largest investment was the GMP upgrade pro-
gram across its global production sites, including €23 million for the production site in Guatemala
City, Guatemala, and €12 million for the production site in Cleveland, Tennessee, United States.
Crop Science continuously invests in its global production network for crop protection products
and seeds as well as in research, development and digital transformation. The largest projects
in 2018 included capital expenditures for the production of herbicides and fungicides in Luling,
Louisiana, United States, and Kansas City, Missouri, United States, as well as for seed processing
sites in Lubbock, Texas, United States (cotton) and Pochuyki, Ukraine (corn). In 2018, Bayer also
initiated substantial capital spending on research facilities in Chesterfield, Missouri, United States,
and invested in digital farming.
In 2018, Animal Health invested €19 million in the expansion of the site in Kiel, Germany, where
we manufacture some 60% of the Animal Health products we market worldwide.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
2.2 Earnings; Asset and Financial Position of the Bayer Group
A Combined Management Report
107
Strategic Investments in Property, Plant and Equipment
Pharmaceuticals
Expansion of Eylea™ production capacities in Berlin, Germany, and Shiga, Japan
Consumer Health
Crop Science
Pilot facility for continuous solids production in Leverkusen, Germany
Modernization of production facilities at sites across the production network
(Leverkusen, Germany; Garbagnate, Italy; etc.)
Construction of a new research building in Wuppertal (Aprath), Germany
Modernization of research facilities in Berlin, Germany
Back-up active ingredient production for Xarelto™ in Bergkamen, Germany
Upgrade of global production site facilities to new GMP standards
Capacity expansions for herbicide production in Muskegon, Michigan, and Mobile,
Alabama, U.S.A., and Frankfurt and Knapsack, Germany
Construction of a production facility for insecticides in Dormagen, Germany
Expansion of production capacities for fungicides in Dormagen, Germany
Expansion of research and development facilities in Monheim, Germany
Construction of breeding stations for various plant species worldwide
Expansion of R&D facilities in Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.A.
Expansion of production and research greenhouses in Nunhem, Netherlands
Establishment of a production site for fungicides in Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A.
Expansion of production capacities for insecticides in Vapi, India
Construction of a production facility for herbicides in Luling, Louisiana, U.S.A.
1
Construction of a corn seed production site in Pochuyki, Ukraine
1
Construction of a corn breeding station in Marana, Arizona, U.S.A. 1
Expansion of R&D facilities in Chesterfield, Missouri, U.S.A.1
Construction of a cotton seed production site in Lubbock, Texas, U.S.A.1
IT solutions to support digital transformation
1
Animal Health
Expansion of production capacities for Seresto™ in Kiel, Germany
1 Monsanto was responsible for these projects until the closing of the acquisition.
2 In conjunction with the divestments to BASF
A 2.2.4/4
2018
ongoing
ongoing
ongoing
ongoing
ongoing
ongoing
2017
started
started
ongoing
ongoing
ongoing
ongoing
ongoing
ongoing
ongoing
divested
2
ongoing
completed
ongoing
completed
ongoing
ongoing
ongoing
divested
2
ongoing
divested
2
ongoing
divested
2
ongoing
ongoing
ongoing
ongoing
ongoing
ongoing
ongoing
ongoing
ongoing
ongoing
ongoing
ongoing
ongoing
ongoing
started
ongoing
ongoing
ongoing
Liquid assets and net financial debt
See also A 2.4
A 2.2.4/5
Net Financial Debt
1
€ million
Bonds and notes / promissory notes
of which hybrid bonds
2
Liabilities to banks
Liabilities under finance leases
Liabilities from derivatives
3
Other financial liabilities
Receivables from derivatives
3
Financial debt
Cash and cash equivalents
Current financial assets
4
Noncurrent financial assets
5
Net financial debt
Dec. 31,
2017
Dec. 31,
2018
Change
in %
12,436
35,402
+ 184.7
4,533
534
238
240
970
(244)
14,174
(7,581)
(2,998)
–
4,537
4,865
399
172
556
(137)
41,257
(4,052)
(930)
(596)
3,595
35,679
+ 0.1
.
+ 67.6
– 28.3
– 42.7
– 43.9
+ 191.1
– 46.6
– 69.0
.
.
1 For definition see A 2.4 “Alternative Performance Measures Used by the Bayer Group.”
2 Classified as debt according to IFRS
3 These include the market values of interest-rate and currency hedges of recorded transactions.
4 These include short-term loans and receivables with maturities between 3 and 12 months outstanding from banks and other
companies as well as financial investments in debt and equity instruments that were recorded as current on first-time recognition.
5 These solely comprise the remaining interest in Covestro that is to be used to repay the convertible bond issued in 2017 that will
mature in 2020.
108
A Combined Management Report
2.2 Earnings; Asset and Financial Position of the Bayer Group
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Net financial debt of the Bayer Group increased by €32 billion in 2018, due primarily to the acqui-
sition of Monsanto.
In addition to equity measures totaling €9 billion, bonds amounting to US$15 billion and €5 billion
were issued to finance the acquisition. These bonds were issued by the subsidiaries Bayer U.S.
Finance II LLC, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, and Bayer Capital Corporation B.V.,
Mijdrecht, Netherlands, respectively.
As part of the acquisition, outstanding bonds with a nominal volume of US$6.9 billion were taken
over from Monsanto. In July 2018, Bayer initiated an exchange offer for all 16 debt instruments,
granting Monsanto bondholders the option of acquiring securities guaranteed by Bayer AG. Some
83% of the outstanding bond volume was exchanged in total.
Financial debt includes three subordinated hybrid bonds with a total volume of €4.5 billion, 50% of
which is treated as equity by the rating agencies. As such, the hybrid bonds have a positive im-
pact on the Group’s rating-specific debt indicators.
The increase in liabilities to banks mainly resulted from the use of the bridge financing for the
acquisition of Monsanto. As of December 31, 2018, the outstanding acquisition loan amounted to
US$4.9 billion.
The other financial liabilities as of December 31, 2018, contained €309 million related to the
mandatory convertible notes issued in November 2016.
Asset and Capital Structure of the Bayer Group
Bayer Group Summary Statements of Financial Position
€ million
Noncurrent assets
Assets held for sale
Other current assets
Current assets
Total assets
Equity
Noncurrent liabilities
Current liabilities
Provisions directly related to assets held for sale
Total current liabilities
Liabilities
Total equity and liabilities
A 2.2.4/6
Dec. 31,
2017
Dec. 31,
2018
Change
(%)
45,014
2,081
27,992
30,073
75,087
36,861
24,633
13,482
111
13,593
38,226
75,087
95,352
+ 111.8
234
30,699
30,933
126,285
46,148
57,314
22,811
12
22,823
80,137
126,285
– 88.8
+ 9.7
+ 2.9
+ 68.2
+ 25.2
+ 132.7
+ 69.2
– 89.2
+ 67.9
+ 109.6
+ 68.2
Total assets as of December 31, 2018, amounted to €126.3 billion, up €51.2 billion from
December 31, 2017. This increase was mainly due to the acquisition of Monsanto.
Noncurrent assets rose by €50.3 billion to €95.4 billion. Intangible assets of €26.9 billion – mainly
comprising patents and technologies (€17.2 billion), research projects (€4.6 billion) and trademarks
(€3.9 billion) – and property, plant and equipment of €5.7 billion were acquired in connection with
the acquisition. In addition, goodwill of €24.5 billion was recognized. Investments accounted for
using the equity method declined by €3.5 billion, mainly due to the sale of Covestro shares.
Total current assets increased by €0.9 billion to €30.9 billion. Among the items acquired from
Monsanto were receivables of €7.3 billion and inventories of €4.8 billion. Other financial assets
declined by €2.4 billion to €1.2 billion, mainly due to their utilization in financing the acquisition.
Assets held for sale, which in 2017 related to the acquisition of Monsanto, decreased by
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
109
2.3 Earnings; Asset and Financial Position of Bayer AG
€1.8 billion. In 2018, they included the divestment of the prescription dermatology business of
Consumer Health.
Equity rose by €9.3 billion compared with December 31, 2017, to €46.1 billion. In April 2018, the
Republic of Singapore subscribed to 31 million new Bayer shares through a subsidiary, for total
gross proceeds of €3 billion. In June 2018, we raised €6.0 billion in net proceeds from a capital
increase out of authorized capital against cash contributions and with subscription rights for exist-
ing Bayer stockholders. Equity was also increased by income after income taxes of €1.7 billion. By
contrast, the dividend payment of €2.4 billion reduced equity. The equity ratio declined to 36.5%
as of December 31, 2018 (December 31, 2017: 49.1%).
Liabilities as of December 31, 2018, rose by €41.9 billion to €80.1 billion. Financial liabilities
(€8.7 billion), refund liabilities (€3.3 billion) and other liabilities (€2.9 billion) were assumed in con-
nection with the acquisition. Furthermore, deferred tax liabilities of €7.9 billion were recognized
in connection with the acquisition due to the measurement of the acquired assets and liabilities at
fair value. Noncurrent liabilities rose by €32.7 billion overall to €57.3 billion. Current liabilities
increased by €9.2 billion to €22.8 billion.
2.3 Earnings; Asset and Financial Position
of Bayer AG
Business lease agreements between Bayer AG on the one hand, and Bayer Pharma AG and Bayer
CropScience AG – the former parent companies of the respective divisions – on the other, have
been in place since the start of 2017. These agreements transferred the two companies’ opera-
tional businesses to Bayer AG. As a result, the business of Bayer AG – previously confined to
a holding company function – expanded considerably to include the parent company functions of
the two divisions. The financial statements of Bayer AG are prepared in accordance with the
German Commercial Code (HGB), Stock Corporation Act (AktG) and German Energy Act (EnWG).
Bayer AG performs
principal management
functions for the Bayer
Group.
Bayer AG supplies third parties with electricity and gas at individual facilities. In accordance with
Section 3, No. 18 of the German Energy Act (EnWG), it is therefore classified as an energy provid-
er within the meaning of the EnWG. Furthermore, as the vertically integrated energy provider and
site services provider Currenta GmbH & Co. OHG is a subsidiary of Bayer AG, Bayer AG is
classed as a vertically integrated energy provider pursuant to Section 3, No. 38 of the EnWG.
110
A Combined Management Report
2.3 Earnings; Asset and Financial Position of Bayer AG
Bayer Annual Report 2018
2.3.1 Earnings Performance of Bayer AG
Bayer AG Summary Income Statements according to the German Commercial Code
A 2.3.1/1
€ million
Net sales
Cost of goods sold
Gross profit
Selling expenses
Research and development expenses
General administration expenses
Other operating income
Other operating expenses
Operating income
Income from investments in affiliated companies – net
Interest income / expense – net
Other financial income / expense – net
Nonoperating income
Income taxes
Income after taxes / net income
Profit carried forward from the previous year
Allocation to other retained earnings
Distributable profit
2017
2018
14,730
14,647
(7,914)
6,816
(3,898)
(2,186)
(908)
85
(102)
(193)
5,794
(369)
(354)
5,071
(335)
4,543
–
(1,643)
2,900
(8,219)
6,428
(4,509)
(2,331)
(1,056)
268
(115)
(1,315)
4,739
(562)
(511)
3,666
(234)
2,117
498
(4)
2,611
Earnings decline, impacted by restructuring measures
Sales of Bayer AG were level with the previous year at €14.6 billion (2017: €14.7 billion). Sales of
Pharmaceuticals were slightly higher but remained at around €8.5 billion, while Crop Science reg-
istered a decline to €6.0 billion (2017: €6.1 billion). Nondivisional sales were unchanged at
€0.1 billion.
At Pharmaceuticals, Xarelto™ remained the division’s best-selling product by far, registering sales
of €2.5 billion. We recorded sales gains for Adempas™ (+€159 million), Glucobay™
(+€114 million) and Aspirin™ Cardio (+€103 million), among others, but declines for Adalat™
(– €144 million), Levitra™ (– €37 million) and Ciprobay™ (– €36 million). Of the total sales, business
with Bayer Group companies accounted for 91% and business with third parties for 9%.
The slight decline in sales at Crop Science was largely attributable to the divestments to BASF.
Declines of €95 million at Herbicides and €21 million at SeedGrowth stood against positive devel-
opment at Insecticides (+ €79 million) and Fungicides (+ 36 million). Cost reimbursements from
other Bayer Group companies fell by €70 million. From a regional perspective, North America was
responsible for the decline in sales, with sales in that region down by €0.3 billion. Latin America, in
particular, showed a year-on-year recovery, with sales there advancing by €0.1 billion. The lion’s
share of sales, at 96%, was attributable to intra-Group business with Bayer companies.
The cost of goods sold increased to €8.2 billion, mainly due to expenses of €320 million for the
restructuring measures initiated in 2018. After deducting the cost of goods sold from sales,
gross profit was €6.4 billion (2017: €6.8 billion), or 44% of sales (2017: 46%). The gross margin
was 57% (2017: 58%) at Pharmaceuticals and 31% (2017: 34%) at Crop Science. Selling ex-
penses rose by €611 million to €4.5 billion, largely due to a €402 million increase in lease pay-
ments arising from Bayer AG’s business lease agreements with Bayer Pharma AG and Bayer
CropScience AG. In addition to lease payments, selling expenses mainly comprised €3.3 billion
in royalties, €2.3 billion of which was paid to Bayer Intellectual Property GmbH for the use of
patents, trademarks and other intellectual property. Research and development expenses includ-
ed €287 million for restructuring measures, and therefore climbed by €145 million to €2.3 billion,
of which Pharmaceuticals accounted for €1.6 billion (+€90 million) and Crop Science for
€0.5 billion (+€56 million). General administration expenses were up by €148 million year on year
at €1.1 billion, due primarily to salary increases. The balance of other operating expenses and
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
111
2.3 Earnings; Asset and Financial Position of Bayer AG
other operating income was positive at €153 million (2017: negative balance of €17 million),
mainly due to the intra-Group compensation payments received for restructuring expenses in-
curred in connection with the impairment losses recognized for the newly constructed Factor VIII
plant in Wuppertal.
The operating loss widened by a substantial €1,122 million to €1,315 million in 2018 (2017:
€193 million), mainly as a result of special charges relating to the initiated restructuring measures
and higher expenses for the business lease.
Income from investments in affiliated companies fell by €1,055 million to €4,739 million. This was
primarily due to a decline of €667 million in dividends and similar income from subsidiaries to
€152 million (2017: €819 million) and a €908 million decline in income from profit and loss transfer
agreements to €1,337 million (2017: €2,245 million). The decline in dividends and similar income
from subsidiaries largely pertained to Bayer Hispania, S.L., Spain, which did not pay a dividend in
2018 after a dividend of €591 million in the previous year. Furthermore, a dividend payment of only
€63 million (2017: €146 million) was received from Covestro AG due to the lower number of
shares. The decline in income from profit and loss transfer agreements was primarily attributable
to a lower profit transfer from Bayer Pharma AG (€1,438 million in 2018, compared with
€2,248 million in 2017). Following the assumption of operational activities by Bayer AG, earnings
of that company mainly result from dividends and similar income as well as income from the busi-
ness lease and intra-Group financing measures. There was also a year-on-year decline in income
transferred from Bayer Real Estate GmbH (€30 million in 2018, compared with €130 million in
2017) and from Siebte Bayer VV GmbH, which receives regular dividends from a U.S. subsidiary
that handles export business in the United States for Bayer Health Care LLC (€6 million in 2018,
compared with €94 million in 2017). The €127 million loss recorded by Bayer Business Services
GmbH, which was offset by Bayer AG, was well below the 2017 figure of €201 million that arose
due to project costs. The divestment of shares in Covestro AG resulted in proceeds of
€3,314 million in 2018 (2017: €2,720 million).
Net interest expense increased from €369 million to €562 million. This was primarily the result of
an €847 million increase in net expense from the interest portion of the allocation to noncurrent
provisions, particularly for pensions and other post-employment benefits, and from the valuation
of the fund assets, to €677 million (2017: net gain of €170 million). The increased expense was
due to higher interest-related actuarial losses on obligations and the negative development of
assets. There was also higher net interest expense of €291 million (2017: €4 million) from bank
loans that mainly related to the Monsanto financing. The balance of interest expense and income
attributable to intra-Group transactions improved significantly for the same reason: after net inter-
est expense of €246 million in the previous year, net interest income of €204 million was recog-
nized in 2018. An improvement in the balance of interest expense and income also resulted from
hedging transactions in connection with the financing of the Monsanto acquisition, which led to
income of €368 million upon their respective maturities in May and June 2018. The remaining net
interest expense of €166 million (2017: €290 million) comprised the balance of €169 million (2017:
€186 million) in interest paid on bonds, €28 million (2017: €109 million) for interest-rate swaps and
options, and €31 million (2017: €5 million) in miscellaneous income items.
The negative balance of other financial income and expenses widened in 2018, to €511 million
(2017: €354 million), mainly due to impairment losses of €459 million recognized on the interest
in Covestro AG that is now reflected as securities under noncurrent assets. Earnings were also
diminished by charges of €97 million in connection with the public capital increase in June 2018
and charges of €50 million resulting from the derecognition of Monsanto shares held by
Bayer AG following their acquisition-related retirement. However, the substantial €289 million
improvement in income from currency translation to €77 million (2017: loss of €212 million) had
an opposing effect. Bank charges for credit facilities were also €83 million lower at €138 million,
including €126 million (2017: €210 million) in connection with the financing of the Monsanto ac-
quisition. Earnings were also buoyed by a €76 million decrease in pension expenses (excluding
the interest portion recognized in the balance of interest expense and income) for retirees re-
maining with Bayer AG following the hive-down of the operating business in 2002 and 2003.
112
A Combined Management Report
2.3 Earnings; Asset and Financial Position of Bayer AG
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Income before income taxes amounted to €2,351 million overall in 2018, down €2,527 million from
the prior-year figure of €4,878 million. After deduction of €234 million (2017: €335 million) in taxes,
net income was €2,117 million (2017: €4,543 million). Including €498 million in profit carried for-
ward from the previous year and after an allocation of €4 million to other retained earnings, the
distributable profit was €2,611 million.
The Board of Management and Supervisory Board will propose to the Annual Stockholders’ Meet-
ing on April 26, 2019, that the distributable profit be used to pay a dividend of €2.80 per share on
the capital stock entitled to the dividend.
2.3.2 Asset and Financial Position of Bayer AG
Bayer AG Summary Statements of Financial Position According
to the German Commercial Code
€ million
ASSETS
Noncurrent assets
Intangible assets, property, plant and equipment
Financial assets
Current and other assets
Inventories
Trade accounts receivable
Receivables from subsidiaries
Other assets and deferred charges
Cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities
Total assets
EQUITY AND LIABILITIES
Equity
Provisions
Other liabilities
Bonds and notes, liabilities to banks
Trade accounts payable
Payables to subsidiaries
Remaining liabilities and deferred income
Total equity and liabilities
A 2.3.2/1
Dec. 31,
2017
Dec. 31,
2018
152
47,071
47,223
2,109
2,002
2,585
901
4,272
11,869
59,092
163
73,530
73,693
2,197
2,113
1,829
492
3,178
9,809
83,502
18,875
2,201
27,659
3,159
7,618
1,750
28,078
570
38,016
59,092
10,496
1,913
39,680
595
52,684
83,502
See also A 2.3.2/1
Change in financial position attributable to financing measures for Monsanto
The asset and liability structure of Bayer AG is dominated by the management functions for the
Bayer Group, even following the integration of the parent company functions of the Pharmaceuti-
cals and Crop Science divisions at the beginning of 2017. The financial position is shaped particu-
larly by the management of subsidiaries and the financing of corporate activities. This is primarily
reflected in the high level of investments in affiliated companies and of the receivables from, and
payables to, Group companies.
The acquisition of the Monsanto Group and the related financing measures resulted in considera-
ble changes to the financial position of Bayer AG in 2018. Total assets increased by €24.4 billion,
or 41.3%, to €83.5 billion. This was due to a €26.5 billion rise in noncurrent assets to
€73.7 billion, while current assets fell by €2.1 billion to €9.8 billion.
Within noncurrent assets, investments in affiliated companies increased by €3.5 billion. Intra-
Group capital increases totaling €4.9 billion stood against a €1.3 billion decrease from the sale of
Bayer Annual Report 2018
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113
2.3 Earnings; Asset and Financial Position of Bayer AG
shares in Covestro AG, among other items. Investments in affiliated companies came in at
€49.6 billion overall (2017: €46.2 billion), and continued to account for the largest item in total
assets by far, at 59.4% (2017: 78.2%). Due to the granting of intra-Group loans totaling
€22.4 billion in connection with the financing of the Monsanto acquisition, total loans increased by
€0.9 billion to €23.3 billion. The remaining interest held in Covestro AG, valued at €0.6 billion, is
now reflected as securities under noncurrent assets. Intangible assets, property, plant and equip-
ment were practically unchanged at €0.2 billion.
Among the current asset items, inventories and trade accounts receivable increased slightly, each
rising by €0.1 billion to €2.2 billion and €2.1 billion, respectively. There were also only minor
changes in this regard within the divisions. Trade accounts receivable of €1.8 billion (2017:
€1.6 billion) pertained mainly to Group companies. Receivables from subsidiaries amounted to
€1.8 billion (2017: €2.6 billion) and accounted for 2.2% of total assets. The other receivables re-
flected in current assets (including deferred charges) decreased by €0.4 billion to €0.5 billion; the
previous year’s total included €284 million in shares of Covestro AG divested to banks while expo-
sure to the related economic risks and opportunities was retained. Cash and cash equivalents,
which in the previous year exclusively comprised bank deposits except for the small amount of
€25 million in commercial paper, fell by €1.1 billion to €3.2 billion in 2018.
Bayer AG’s equity rose by €8.8 billion, or 46.5%, to €27.7 billion (2017: €18.9 billion). This in-
crease resulted from the net income of €2,117 million and inflows of €9,069 million from the two
capital increases implemented in 2018, while the dividend payment of €2,402 million for 2017 had
a diminishing effect. The equity ratio increased to 33.1% (2017: 31.9%) due to the proportionately
smaller increase in total assets.
Provisions increased by €1.0 billion to €3.2 billion. In addition, provisions of €606 million were
established in 2018 for the restructuring measures announced in November 2018. Pension provi-
sions increased by a net amount of €432 million, of which €278 million was attributable to a higher
discount rate and €211 million to lower fund assets. Additional increases in provisions for incen-
tive payments (+€66 million) and income taxes (+€60 million) stood against decreases in other
provisions, including a decrease of €217 million in those for impending losses from hedging trans-
actions.
Liabilities (including deferred income) increased by €14.7 billion to €52.7 billion due to financing
measures for the Monsanto acquisition. The growth in liabilities resulted entirely from higher finan-
cial debt. The main increases were in intra-Group financial debt (by €11.8 billion to €40.1 billion)
and liabilities to banks (by €3.4 billion to €4.2 billion). A bond with a volume of €517 million was
redeemed at maturity. Total financial debt as of the closing date was €50.7 billion (2017:
€36.0 billion). After deduction of cash and cash equivalents of €3.2 billion (2017: €4.3 billion), net
debt rose by €15.8 billion to €47.5 billion (2017: €31.7 billion). Within operating liabilities, trade
accounts payable rose by €0.2 billion to €1.9 billion, while liabilities to Group companies declined
by the same amount to €0.8 billion (gross of deductible receivables).
2.3.3 Outlook for Bayer AG
For Bayer AG we expect sales of approximately €15 billion and an operating loss in the region of
€2 billion in 2019. These numbers comprise both Bayer AG’s own operational business and the
businesses leased from Bayer Pharma AG and Bayer CropScience AG. In addition, the earnings
of most Bayer subsidiaries in Germany are transferred directly to Bayer AG under profit and loss
transfer agreements. Also, specific intra-company dividend measures ensure the availability of suffi-
cient distributable income. On account of the interdependencies between Bayer AG and its subsid-
iaries, the outlook for the Bayer Group thus largely also reflects the expectations for Bayer AG. In
the coming year, based on these factors, we expect Bayer AG to report a distributable profit that
will again enable our stockholders to adequately participate in the Bayer Group’s earnings.
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2.4 Alternative Performance Measures Used by the Bayer Group
Bayer Annual Report 2018
See also “About this
Report” and Note 2 to B
Consolidated Financial
Statements
2.4 Alternative Performance Measures Used
by the Bayer Group
The Combined Management Report and the consolidated financial statements of the Bayer Group
are prepared according to the applicable financial reporting standards. In addition to the disclo-
sures and metrics these require, Bayer publishes alternative performance measures (APMs) that
are not defined or specified in these standards and for which there are no generally accepted
reporting formats. Bayer calculates APMs to enable a comparison of performance indicators over
time and against those of other companies in its industry sector. These APMs are calculated by
making certain adjustments to items in the statement of financial position or the income statement
prepared according to the applicable financial reporting standards. Such adjustments may result
from differences in calculation or measurement methods, nonuniform business activities or special
factors affecting the information value of these items. The APMs determined in this way apply to
all periods and are used both internally for business management purposes and externally by
analysts, investors and rating agencies to assess the company’s performance. Bayer determines
the following APMs:
// Change in sales (reported, currency-adjusted, currency- and portfolio-adjusted)
// Pro-forma sales
// EBITDA
// EBITDA before special items
// EBITDA margin before special items
// EBIT
// EBIT before special items
// Core earnings per share
// Net financial debt
// Return on capital employed (ROCE)
// Net operating profit after tax (NOPAT)
// Capital employed
// WACC
// Free cash flow
// Forecast key financial data
The (reported) change in sales is a relative indicator. It shows the percentage by which sales var-
ied from the previous year.
The currency-adjusted or currency- and portfolio-adjusted change in sales shows the percentage
change in sales excluding the impact of exchange rate effects and, in the latter case, disregarding
material acquisitions and divestments as well. Exchange rate effects are generally calculated on
the basis of the functional currency valid in the respective country. Exceptions existed in Brazil and
Argentina, primarily at Crop Protection, where the currency effect was calculated on the basis of
the U.S. dollar instead of the functional (national) currency. From 2019, these exceptions will no
longer apply.
See A 2.2.2/10 for
further details of the
calculation of
pro-forma sales
Due to the scope of the activities acquired through the Monsanto acquisition and the season-
ality of the business, we are also presenting sales by strategic business entity on an unaudit-
ed, pro-forma basis to better show the operational business development for the combined
business of Crop Science and Monsanto, among other reasons. The pro-forma sales are pre-
sented as if both the acquisition of Monsanto and the associated divestments had taken place
as of January 1, 2017.
EBITDA stands for earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and impairment losses / loss rever-
sals on property, plant and equipment, impairment losses on goodwill, and amortization and im-
pairment losses / loss reversals on other intangible assets. This performance indicator neutralizes
the effects of the financial result along with distortions of operational performance that result from
divergent depreciation and amortization methods and the exercise of measurement discretion.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
2.4 Alternative Performance Measures Used by the Bayer Group
A Combined Management Report
115
EBITDA is EBIT plus the amortization of intangible assets and the depreciation of property, plant
and equipment, plus impairment losses and minus impairment loss reversals, recognized in profit
or loss during the reporting period.
EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) serves to present a company’s performance while elimi-
nating the effects of differences among local taxation systems and different financing activities.
EBITDA before special items and EBIT before special items show the development of the opera-
tional business irrespective of the effects of special items, i.e. special effects for the Bayer Group
with regard to their nature and magnitude. These may include acquisition costs, divestments,
litigations, restructuring, integration costs, impairment losses and impairment loss reversals. In the
calculation of EBIT before special items and EBITDA before special items, special charges are
added and special gains subtracted.
The EBITDA margin before special items is a relative indicator used by Bayer for internal and ex-
ternal comparisons of operational earnings performance. It is the ratio of EBITDA before special
items to net sales.
Core earnings per share (core EPS) from continuing operations is an APM based on the concept
of earnings per share (EPS) as defined in IAS 33. Core earnings per share form the basis of the
Bayer Group’s dividend policy.
Core EPS are calculated using the following method: Based on EBIT (as per the income state-
ments), the special items, impairment losses on goodwill, amortization / impairment losses / loss
reversals on other intangible assets, impairment losses / loss reversals on property, plant and
equipment and the accelerated depreciation included in special items are neutralized to determine
core EBIT. This enables a comparison of performance over time. Core EBIT is reconciled to core
net income from continuing operations, and core EPS are then calculated by dividing core net
income by the weighted average number of shares.
As core earnings per share are calculated for each interim reporting period, core earnings per
share for the fiscal year or for each interim reporting period up to the respective closing date may
deviate from the cumulated core earnings per share for the individual interim reporting periods.
Net financial debt is an important financial management indicator for the Bayer Group and is used
both internally and externally in assessing its liquidity, capital structure and financial flexibility.
The return on capital employed (ROCE) indicates the capital return over a specified period and is a
value-based indicator used in long-term business and portfolio analyses. It is the ratio of net oper-
ating profit after taxes (NOPAT) to the average capital employed. NOPAT represents the operating
result after taxes and is calculated by subtracting income taxes from EBIT. Income taxes are cal-
culated by multiplying EBIT by a uniform tax rate that is based on a historical average of tax rates.
The capital employed by Bayer is the total carrying amount of operational noncurrent and current
assets, minus liabilities that are largely non-interest-bearing in character and / or would distort the
capital base. An average value, calculated from the values at the end of the prior year and of the
reporting year, is used to depict the change in capital employed during the reporting year. The
definition of capital employed was updated in 2018 to reflect the changes resulting from IFRS 15
(Revenue from Contracts with Customers) and relevant line items in the statement of financial
position were expanded.
See B 1 of the Notes to
the Consolidated Finan-
cial Statements for the
reconciliation to EBIT
See A 2.2.1/3 for the
calculation of core EPS,
and A 2.2.1 for further
details
See A 2.2.4/5 for
the calculation of net
financial debt, and
A 2.2.4 for further details
See A 2.2.3 for the
calculation of ROCE
See A 2.2.3 for the
calculation of capital
employed
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2.4 Alternative Performance Measures Used by the Bayer Group
Bayer Annual Report 2018
The ROCE is compared to the weighted average cost of capital (WACC), which is the return ex-
pected by the providers of equity and debt. If the ROCE exceeds the WACC, return expectations
have been exceeded, indicating that enterprise value has been created.
The WACC is based on an after-tax approach and calculated at the start of the year as the
weighted average of the equity and debt cost factors. The cost of equity is determined using the
Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM), while the debt-capital cost factor is calculated based on the
average returns of ten-year Eurobonds issued by industrial companies. Further information on
the segment-specific capital cost factors used in impairment testing is provided in Note [4] to the
consolidated financial statements.
Free cash flow (FCF) is an alternative performance measure that is based on the cash flow from
operating activities under IAS 7. FCF illustrates the cash flows available for paying dividends and
reducing debt as well as for investing in innovation and acquisitions. It is calculated by subtracting
cash outflows for additions to property, plant and equipment and intangible assets from the cash
flow from operating activities, adding interest and dividends received along with interest received
from interest-rate swaps, and deducting interest paid including interest-rate swaps.
The forward-looking key performance indicators published in the forecast for key financial data
are based on data that is determined in the course of our planning process. The key financial data
in the forecast is determined in accordance with the applied accounting policies and with the
calculation models for alternative performance measures described in this chapter.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
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117
3.1 Future Perspectives
3. Report on Future Perspectives
and on Opportunities and Risks
3.1 Future Perspectives
3.1.1 Economic Outlook
Economic Outlook
World
European Union
of which Germany
United States
Emerging Markets ²
A 3.1.1/1
Growth
1
forecast
2019
+ 2.9%
+ 1.5%
+ 1.4%
+ 2.5%
+ 4.6%
1
Growth
2018
+ 3.2%
+ 2.0%
+ 1.5%
+ 2.9%
+ 4.8%
1 Real growth of gross domestic product, source: IHS Markit
2 Including about 50 countries defined by IHS Markit as emerging markets in line with the World Bank
As of February 2019
Declining growth in the global economy
Global economic growth looks set to slow in 2019 compared with 2018. In addition, the risk
of a global economic downturn – triggered by an escalation of trade tensions or other factors –
has increased. In the European Union, uncertainty over the form Brexit will take and political
developments in a number of member states are likely to hamper the economy. In addition, Ger-
many and France are not expected to provide any major economic stimulus. In the United States,
higher tariffs in particular will probably hold back foreign trade, and the impetus from the tax cuts
introduced in 2018 is expected to gradually fade. We also expect growth to weaken somewhat in
the Emerging Markets as a whole. In Latin America, political uncertainty in a number of countries
is likely to weigh on growth. Although Chinese economic growth has remained very high, it now
appears increasingly fragile and will likely continue to slow in 2019 despite the government’s
stimulus measures.
Economic Outlook – Segments
Pharmaceuticals market
Consumer health market
Seeds and crop protection market
Animal health market
A 3.1.1/2
1
Growth
2018
Growth
1
forecast
2019
+ 5%
+ 4%
+ 2%
+ 5%
+ 5%
+ 4%
+ 3%
+ 4%
1 Bayer’s estimate, except pharmaceuticals. Source for pharmaceuticals market: IQVIA Market Prognosis (September 2018);
all rights reserved; currency-adjusted; 2018 data provisional
As of February 2019
For the pharmaceuticals market, we anticipate that growth in 2019 will match the prior-year level
(5%). We expect minor declines in growth rates in the Americas, Europe and Asia. However, we
see the Japanese market returning to positive market growth in 2019. Growth drivers will likely
continue to be new, high-end products and volume increases.
We anticipate that growth of the consumer health market in 2019 will match the 2018 level. The
market is likely to experience rising price pressure from e-commerce and continued consolidation
of the retail sector.
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3.1 Future Perspectives
Bayer Annual Report 2018
We expect the global seed and crop protection market to continue its positive development in
2019. In our view, the principal growth momentum will come from Latin America, mainly due to
a further increase in soybean acreages, and from the Asia / Pacific region. We expect growth in
North America to lag behind overall global development due to persistently low prices for agricul-
tural commodities and to uncertainty in connection with the trade dispute between the United
States and China. In Europe, growth is likely to be sluggish, held back partly by the ongoing tense
financial situation for farmers and more stringent regulatory requirements.
Our base assumption for the animal health market in 2019 is for stable growth at a slightly slower
pace than in 2018.
3.1.2 Corporate Outlook
The following forecast is based on the current business development and our internal planning.
To enhance the comparability of operating performance, the forecasts are adjusted for currency
effects5. We do not anticipate any material changes in our forecast if the closing rates as of
December 31, 2018, are used as a basis. A 1% appreciation (depreciation) of the euro against all
other currencies would decrease (increase) sales on an annual basis by some €340 million and
EBITDA before special items by about €100 million.
We confirm the forecasts for 2019 and the medium-term targets for 2022 that we provided in
conjunction with our Capital Markets Day on December 5, 2018. For 2019, we expect sales to
amount to around €46 billion. This corresponds to an increase of approximately 4% on a curren-
cy- and portfolio-adjusted basis. We aim to increase EBITDA before special items to approximate-
ly €12.2 billion on a currency-adjusted basis, while core earnings per share are seen rising to
approximately €6.80 on a currency-adjusted basis.
5 The average monthly exchange rates from 2018 (see B 3/1) were applied.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
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119
3.2 Opportunity and Risk Report
Bayer Group Key Data – Forecast for 2019
2018 figures
Fx & p adj.
change (%)
€ billion
Sales
Crop Science
Pharmaceuticals
Consumer Health
Animal Health
EBITDA before special items
1
Crop Science
Pharmaceuticals
Consumer Health
Animal Health
Financial result (core)
2
Tax rate (core)
3
Free cash flow
1
Net financial debt
1,4
Core EPS1
39.6
14.3
16.7
5.5
1.5
9.5
2.7
5.6
1.1
0.4
(1.3)
20.6%
4.7
35.7
(€)
5.94
€ billion
~ 46
A 3.1.2/1
2019 forecast
Fx & p adj.
change (%)
~ + 4
~ + 4
~ + 4
~ + 1
~ + 4
+ 4.5
+ 6.1
+ 3.4
– 0.7
+ 0.5
Margin (%)
Margin (%)
~ 27
~ 25
~ 34
~ 21
~ 24
24.1
18.6
33.4
20.1
23.9
~ 12.2
~ (1.8)
~ 23%
~ 3 – 4
~ 36.0
(€)
~ 6.80
Fx & p adj. = currency- and portfolio-adjusted
1 For definition see A 2.4 “Alternative Performance Measures Used by the Bayer Group.”
2 Financial result before special items
3 (Income taxes + special items in income taxes + tax effects on adjustments) / (core EBIT + financial result + special items in
financial result)
4 For 2019, including a lease liability of approximately €1.1 billion under IFRS 16
We expect substantial special charges in 2019, mainly in connection with restructuring measures.
The first-time application of IFRS 16 is expected to result in an around €0.3 billion increase in
EBITDA before special items compared with the previous year. We also anticipate that free cash
flow will rise by approximately €0.3 billion and net financial debt by approximately €1.1 billion due
to this effect.
3.2 Opportunity and Risk Report
3.2.1 Group-wide Opportunity and Risk Management System
As a global life science enterprise, the Bayer Group is constantly exposed to a wide range of in-
ternal or external developments and events that could significantly impact the achievement of our
financial and nonfinancial objectives. Opportunity and risk management is therefore an integral
part of corporate management at Bayer. We regard opportunities as positive deviations, and risks
as negative deviations, from projected or target values for potential future developments.
In conjunction with the acquisition of Monsanto in the second quarter of 2018 and its subsequent
integration into the Crop Science segment, we are in the process of integrating Monsanto’s risk
management system into our own. For the first time, Bayer’s risk situation also covers the risk
situation of the newly acquired business, which was outlined in a separate chapter in the 2017
Annual Report.
Opportunity management system
We identify opportunities as part of the annual strategic planning cycle, during which we analyze
internal and external factors that may affect the development of our business. These may be fac-
tors of a social, economic or environmental nature. The core phase of our strategic planning pro-
cess normally takes place in the first half of the year and starts with a comprehensive analysis of
the markets. We build on this by analyzing the respective market environments to identify oppor-
tunities. These analyses are based on different time periods since trends or developments may
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3.2 Opportunity and Risk Report
Bayer Annual Report 2018
impact our business over the short, medium or long term. In addition, opportunities are identified
by the management and employees through daily observation of internal processes and markets.
Opportunities that we regard as highly probable to materialize have already been taken into ac-
count in our planning.
Risk management system
The Bayer Group has implemented a holistic and integrated risk management system designed to
ensure the continued existence and future target attainment of the Group through the early identi-
fication, assessment and treatment of risks.
The Bayer Group’s risk management system is aligned to internationally recognized standards and
principles such as the ISO 31000 risk management standard of the International Organization for
Standardization.
Structure of Bayer’s Risk Management System
Structure of the Risk Management System
A 3.2.1/1
Supervisory Board
Board of Management
Bayer Risk Committee
Risk early warning system
Internal control system for
(Group) financial reporting
process
Compliance management system
Internal Audit
Pharmaceuticals
Consumer Health
Crop Science
Animal Health
Corporate functions,
Business Services & Currenta
Other systems
(e.g. quality management)
Operational business
Control and monitoring systems
Process-independent monitoring
Bayer principles, standards, methods and tools
Board of Management / Supervisory Board
The Board of Management of Bayer AG holds overall responsibility for an effective risk manage-
ment system. The Audit Committee of the Supervisory Board examines the appropriateness and
effectiveness of the risk management system at least once a year.
Bayer Risk Committee
The Bayer Risk Committee, which is chaired by the Chief Financial Officer, is a subcommittee of the
Board of Management. It ensures that all substantial risks are addressed (through suitable mitigation
measures), and also regularly discusses and evaluates the risk portfolio and the mitigation status.
Operational business
Responsibility for the identification, assessment, treatment and reporting of risks lies with the
operational business units in the segments and corporate functions.
Control and monitoring systems
To enable the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board to monitor material business risks
as required by law, we have implemented a risk early warning system pursuant to Section 91,
Paragraph 2 of the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG), an internal control system for (Group)
accounting and financial reporting processes, and a compliance management system. Various
corporate functions are responsible for these systems.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
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121
3.2 Opportunity and Risk Report
As the main corporate function for control and monitoring systems, the Risk Management function
assumes governance and coordination responsibilities in relation to the risk management system.
It provides overarching standards, methods and tools, is responsible for the risk early warning
system, steers the annual Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) process, and ensures reporting to
the Bayer Risk Committee and the Board of Management. The three systems in place at Bayer are
described in the following paragraphs.
Risk early warning system
Our ERM system meets the requirement set out in Section 91, Paragraph 2 of the German Stock
Corporation Act that a risk early warning system be implemented and used to identify at an early
stage developments that are material and / or could endanger the company’s continued existence.
It establishes a consistent framework and uniform standards for the risk early warning system
throughout the Bayer Group.
Internal control system for (Group) accounting and financial reporting
(Report pursuant to Sections 289, Paragraph 4 and 315, Paragraph 4 of the German Commercial
Code)
As part of the comprehensive risk management system, Bayer has an internal control system (ICS)
in place for the (Group) accounting and financial reporting process. This system comprises suit-
able structures and workflows that are defined and implemented throughout the organization. The
purpose of our ICS is to ensure proper and effective accounting and financial reporting in accord-
ance with Section 289, Paragraph 4 and Section 315, Paragraph 4 of the German Commercial
Code. The ICS is designed to guarantee timely, uniform and accurate accounting for all business
transactions based on applicable statutory regulations, accounting and financial reporting stan-
dards and the internal Group policies that are binding upon all consolidated companies. Risks are
identified and assessed, and mitigated using suitable countermeasures. Mandatory, Group-wide
ICS standards (or standards required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act [SOX] for the newly acquired
Monsanto companies) such as system-based and manual reconciliation processes and functional
separation have been derived from these frameworks and promulgated throughout the Bayer
Group by the Risk Management function on behalf of the Chief Financial Officer of Bayer AG. The
ICS standards (and the SOX standards) are implemented by the Bayer Group companies and their
compliance is overseen by the respective management teams. Using Bayer’s shared service cen-
ters, these companies prepare their financial statements locally and transmit them with the aid of
a standard Bayer Group data model. The former Monsanto companies are using a converter to
transfer their financial statements to the Bayer data model. This data model is based on the Group
accounting policy and thus ensures the regulatory compliance of the consolidated financial state-
ments. The Board of Management has confirmed the effective functioning of the ICS and the rele-
vant criteria (as well as the SOX standards) for the 2018 fiscal year. However, it should be noted
that an internal control system, irrespective of its design, cannot provide absolute assurance that
material misstatements in the financial reporting will be avoided or identified.
Compliance management system
Our compliance management system is aimed at ensuring lawful and responsible conduct by our
employees. It is designed to identify potential violations in advance and systematically prevent
their occurrence. The compliance management system thus contributes significantly to the inte-
gration of compliance into our operating units and their processes. Details of compliance man-
agement can be found in Chapter A 4.2 “Compliance,” which describes in particular the process
used to identify risks and measures taken to mitigate them. Monsanto had its own compliance
management system prior to the start of the integration process. This system, which mitigates
compliance risks and addresses largely the same risk areas as Bayer, will remain in place until full
integration into Bayer’s compliance processes and systems has been achieved. The integration
process has already begun and is scheduled to be completed in 2019.
Process-independent monitoring
Internal Audit supports Bayer’s attainment of the Group targets by employing a systematic and
targeted approach in order to assess and help improve the effectiveness of corporate manage-
ment, risk management and monitoring processes.
See also A 4.2
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In addition, the external auditor, as an independent external body, assesses the fundamental suit-
ability of the early warning system as part of its audit of the annual financial statements.
Basic Elements of the Bayer Risk Management System
Basic Elements of the Bayer Risk Management System
A 3.2.1/2
The basic elements of the risk management system are described below and established in bind-
ing documents.
Risk culture and objectives of the risk management system
The incorporation of all levels of the company into this process heightens the awareness and un-
derstanding of risks, which is essential for creating a risk culture. Furthermore, the clearly defined
roles and responsibilities, principles, standards, methods, tools and training measures create the
foundation for the independent, proactive and systematic management of risks.
The aims of the risk management system are to achieve risk transparency, support risk-based
(treatment) decisions and ensure compliance with legal requirements. This establishes a basis for
the proper and responsible management of risks.
See “About this Report”
for more information
on the implementation
of the CSR Directive
Implementation Act
Risk management process
Identification: Risks are identified by risk owners in the segments and functions. To support the
fullest possible identification of risks, the Bayer Group maintains a Risk Universe that reflects the
potential risk categories of Bayer as a life science company. The Bayer Risk Universe also ex-
pressly accounts for risks of a nonfinancial nature that are linked to our business activity or to
our business relationships, products and services. These may include risks pursuant to the CSR
Directive Implementation Act that relate to environmental, employee and social issues, as well
as human rights, and corruption and bribery (compliance). The Bayer Risk Universe is regularly
examined and updated if necessary, as was the case in 2018.
Assessment: Where possible, the identified risks are evaluated with regard to their potential im-
pact and likelihood of occurrence in line with following matrix, taking into account established
mitigation measures.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
123
3.2 Opportunity and Risk Report
A 3.2.1/3
Risk Assessment Matrix
Severe/
> 2,500
Major/
> 1,500– 2,500
Significant/
> 750– 1,500
Medium/
> 250– 750
Moderate /
> 150– 250
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a
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(
Likelihood of occurrence in a 10-year period (%)
Very unlikely
< 10%
Unlikely
10%– 30%
Possible
30%– 50%
Likely
50%– 70%
Very likely
> 70%
High
Medium
Low
Risks to be reported externally
Risks are classified as high, medium or low to assess their materiality regarding the overall risk
portfolio. The extent of the impact is rated according to quantity and / or quality. A quantitative
assessment reflects the possible loss of cash flows. A qualitative assessment of damage is based
on criteria such as the impact on our strategy or reputation, the potential loss of stakeholder con-
fidence, and potential incomplete compliance with sustainability principles (e.g. in the area of
safety, environmental protection or human rights). The higher rating – qualitatively or quantitatively
– determines the overall assessment. The likelihood of occurrence is calculated based on a maxi-
mum period of 10 years. Risk categories may potentially influence the materialization of risks in
other categories, a factor that we take into account when assessing the likelihood of occurrence.
For example, developments in the “Social and macroeconomic trends” risk category may have an
influence on the “Regulatory changes,” “Legal / compliance” and “Product safety and stewardship”
categories.
Risks with a potential impact of over €4,000 million are examined separately by the Bayer Risk
Committee to determine their potential to endanger the company’s continued existence.
Treatment: The risk owners decide on a targeted risk level based on a cost-benefit analysis and
define a risk management strategy as well as risk management measures. These include risk
avoidance, risk reduction, risk transfer and risk acceptance.
Reporting: The results are reported to the Bayer Risk Committee by the Risk Management func-
tion. In addition, new risks above a defined threshold are reported to the Risk Management
function on an ad-hoc basis and, if relevant, to the Bayer Risk Committee and the Chief Financial
Officer. A report on the risk portfolio is submitted to the Board of Management and the Audit
Committee of the Supervisory Board at least once a year.
Monitoring and improvement
The Group Risk Management function continuously evaluates the appropriateness and timeliness
of the principles, standards, methods and tools.
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3.2 Opportunity and Risk Report
Bayer Annual Report 2018
3.2.2 Opportunity and Risk Status
In this section, we report on material, reportable risks pursuant to German Accounting Standard
No. 20. These include all high and medium financial and nonfinancial risks that are at least signifi-
cant in terms of potential impact, while taking into account established mitigation measures (net
risk). They encompass risks falling within the black outline in the rating matrix A 3.2.1/3. In addi-
tion, we report on relevant risks that, from a financial point of view, may not be sufficiently or
meaningfully quantifiable, if at all. We also report on the principal opportunities identified in the
course of our opportunity management.
Comparable risks existing in different segments of the company are bundled where applicable.
The order in which the risks are listed does not imply any order of importance. We also describe
opportunities and risks of a segment-specific nature where relevant.
See also A 3.2.1 and
“About this Report”
According to our understanding, risks relating to the aspects outlined in the CSR Directive
Implementation Act that would have to be reported separately would have to have at least a “se-
vere” potential impact and their likelihood of occurrence would have to be classified as “very like-
ly.” We did not identify any such risks in 2018.
The following table provides an overview of the individual risk categories together with risk classes
and the affected segments. The categorization of risks was adjusted in 2018. This was partly due
to the Monsanto acquisition and the resulting shift in alignment of our business model toward the
agriculture business. Furthermore, we leveraged the experiences we gained from the classification
introduced in 2017 to optimize our Risk Universe. This process is merely a reclassification among
the risk categories, without disregarding any risks. Risks previously assessed under “external
risks” have primarily been reallocated as follows: risks in the category “Business markets” have
been assigned to the categories “Market developments” or “Sales, marketing and distribution”;
risks in the category “Political, social and macroeconomic environment” have been allocated to
“Regulatory changes” or “Social and macroeconomic trends”; and risks in the “Natural disasters
and crises” category have been included in the “Supply of products” or “Security” categories.
Risks in the “External network and partnerships” category have been transferred to “Supply of
products,” “Marketing, sales and distribution” or “External partner compliance.”
Bayer Annual Report 2018
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125
3.2 Opportunity and Risk Report
Overview of Material Risk Areas
Risk category
Strategic risks
Social and macroeconomic trends
Market developments
Regulatory changes
Business strategy
Operational risks
Research and development
Supply of products (procurement, production, logistics)
Marketing, sales and distribution
Human resources
Information technology
Finance and tax
Safety, quality and compliance risks
External partner compliance
Health, safety and environment
Intellectual property
Legal / compliance
3
Product safety and stewardship
Quality and regulatory requirements
Security
Risk class
Affected segment(s) or Group
1
A 3.2.2/1
High
Medium
Medium
Medium
High
Medium
Medium
Medium
High
Medium
Medium
Medium
Medium
See A 3.2.2 “Legal / compliance”
High
Medium
Medium
CS
CH, CS
PH, CS, Group
PH, CS, Group
PH, CS
2
PH, CS
PH
Group
Group
Group
Group
Group
PH
Group
PH
2, CS
PH, CS, Group
Group
PH: Pharmaceuticals; CS: Crop Science; CH: Consumer Health
1 Listed are those segments that have identified material risks. Other segments may also be affected to a lesser extent. The Group has been indicated where
material risks have been reported by corporate functions.
2 Risk class: medium
3 The primary developments with respect to legal risks compared with the Annual Report 2017 (Note [32]) are outlined in the “Legal Risks” section of the Notes
(Note [29]) to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Bayer Group.
Social and macroeconomic trends
Changes in political, social and macroeconomic factors such as economic growth, life expectancy,
population size and consumer behavior as well as societal trends, political crises and instability
result in opportunities for us, but are also associated with risks.
The growing world population and the resulting higher demand for food offer further opportunities
for our Crop Science segment. Partially changing consumer behavior is driving an increase in
demand for food products of animal origin. Agricultural productivity therefore needs to increase in
view of declining per-capita acreages, the challenges presented by climate change, and increas-
ing resistance. We therefore expect demand for high-quality seeds and crop protection products
to rise.
Furthermore, the increase in quality of life and life expectancy is leading to a heightened focus
on the medical care needs of elderly patients. To take advantage of the opportunities arising from
the growing demand for innovative health care products to treat age-related diseases, Bayer’s
Pharmaceuticals segment is concentrating its research and development activities on relevant
therapeutic areas, among other measures.
See also A 1.2 Strategy
In the Crop Science segment, seasonal and macroeconomic factors in particular can unfavorably
impact our business. Our markets are cyclical and are shaped by economic developments and
factors including fluctuating weather conditions and pest pressure. We address these influences
through our globally diversified business, flexible supply chain and comprehensive monitoring
activities.
Modern agricultural methods, such as the application of certain classes of crop protection prod-
ucts and the use of genetic engineering, are regularly the subject of intense public debate and can
negatively impact our reputation. The increased risk of an increasingly negative public debate that
is not primarily based on science may lead to legislative and regulatory decisions that significantly
limit the use of our products or even result in voluntary or mandated product withdrawals. We are
126
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Bayer Annual Report 2018
GRI 102-43
engaged in constant dialogue with interest groups and regulators to promote a scientifically
founded, rational and responsible discussion and decision-making process.
See also A 1.2.3
Sustainability
Management
See also A 3.2.3
We are committed to responsible corporate governance. Our aim is to generate not just econom-
ic, but also ecological and societal benefits. Through our commitment to the U.N. Global Compact
and the Responsible Care™ initiative, for instance, we underline our mission as a company that
acts in a sustainable manner.
Market developments
In the Crop Science segment, we could face increased competition in the seed and crop protec-
tion industry. Consolidation processes as well as aggressive marketing and pricing strategies – not
only for generic products – could negatively impact our profitability. In addition, increasing digitali-
zation in the agriculture sector, such as the growing use of robotics, could lead to the rise of new
players. We are addressing this development by realigning our business models, engaging in sci-
entific and commercial partnerships, and utilizing our own R&D capabilities.
The risk of existing business models undergoing rapid change as a result of digitalization and new
digital products is also present in the Consumer Health segment. Digitalization is a key factor in
gaining a competitive advantage. If we fail to adequately integrate this development into our exist-
ing business models, we could lose customers and market share. We monitor the market very
closely, and devise strategies and measures to address developments in our business models.
Regulatory changes
Our business activity is subject to extensive regulations that may change. For example, further
restrictions could be imposed on the sale and use of various crop protection products, or the
pricing of pharmaceutical products could be more strictly regulated. Residues of agrochemical
products in the environment could also be subject to more stringent regulation. In addition, deci-
sions could also affect agricultural imports from other parts of the world and therefore our busi-
ness in those regions. Moreover, regulatory changes may generally give rise to uncertainty regard-
ing our future patent protection. They can also lead to higher product development costs and
times or even necessitate adjustments to our product portfolio, which may in turn negatively im-
pact our reputation.
See also A 1.6.1
We counter these risks by monitoring changes in regulatory requirements, as we look to ensure
they are adequately addressed within the company. Moreover, we respond to the changing situa-
tion through in-house research and development capacities, acquisitions and collaborations and
we align our product portfolio to reflect anticipated changes.
Business strategy
As a globally operating, innovation-oriented and diversified company, we are exposed to various
strategic risks. Where it appears strategically advantageous, we look to supplement our organic
growth through measures such as acquisitions and / or inlicensing.
Such strategic measures may give rise to greater challenges at our Pharmaceuticals segment in
connection with the inlicensing and / or the acquisition of new products required to achieve the
inorganic growth targeted, in part due to the increasing difficulty in identifying suitable candidates
on economically acceptable conditions.
In connection with the increasing digitalization of farming, our Crop Science segment faces the
challenge of developing – and successfully marketing – optimal products and tools. Our activities
in this area are bundled in our subsidiary, The Climate Corporation. Where necessary, they are
supplemented by strategic partnerships with leading IT companies.
We counter these risks by aligning our organization and our processes with existing challenges
that arise in areas including the identification and implementation of inlicensing opportunities and
project oversight.
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A Combined Management Report
127
3.2 Opportunity and Risk Report
Research and development
Across our businesses, we see opportunities both in the continued development of our brands
and in the expansion of our research pipeline as a result of our innovation strength.
In the Pharmaceuticals segment, opportunities result from digitalization and associated new re-
search and development methods that save time and increase development effectiveness. We
also rely on networking, both within the company and with external partners, to boost our innova-
tion strength. This stimulates the development of new products. Technological advances in phar-
maceutical product development are likewise influenced by digitalization, which can also present a
risk for us if we are not in a position to shape this development.
Furthermore, we cannot ensure that we will identify a sufficient number of research candidates
and that all of the products we are currently developing or will develop in the future will obtain
their planned approval / registration or achieve commercial success. This may result from the fail-
ure to meet technical, capacity- and time-related requirements or the inability to meet trial objec-
tives in product development, among other factors. The performance of our research partners
could also have a limiting impact in this respect. Delays or cost overruns might occur during prod-
uct registration or launch. We seek to counter this risk through holistic portfolio management, by
estimating the probability of success and prioritizing development projects.
In the Crop Science segment, we anticipate that by combining our innovation capacities and
budgets, we can more effectively tackle the challenges faced in developing and introducing prod-
uct solutions in agriculture, including longer and more costly development cycles or stricter regu-
latory requirements. In the medium to long term, we plan to leverage the strengths of the com-
bined R&D platform to deliver pioneering technologies faster.
The development of resistance represents both a risk and a continuous driver of innovation in
the Crop Science segment. Developing resistance to both crop protection products and special
traits is a natural process that we routinely monitor so that, where necessary, industry-wide
measures can be initiated to halt the spread of resistance. In addition, we actively update our
product portfolio based on anti-resistance strategies and combat factors that facilitate resistance
in farming through programs focused on the optimal application of our products (integrated weed
and pest management).
Supply of products (procurement, production, logistics)
Despite all precautions, operations at our sites may be disrupted by earthquakes, fires, power
outages or disruptions at our suppliers, for example. Certain materials, particularly in our
Pharmaceuticals segment, are offered by only a small number of suppliers. Possible price adjust-
ments can also have a negative impact on our margin. We counter these risks by establishing
relationships with alternative suppliers, concluding long-term agreements, expanding inventories
or producing raw materials ourselves. Strategic Material Review Committees regularly examine
and assess the supplier risks. Furthermore, some of our production sites are located in regions
that can be affected by natural disasters, such as flooding or earthquakes. These risks can lead to
production disruptions or stoppages, result in personal injury and damage to our reputation, lead
to declines in sales and / or margins, and necessitate the reconstruction of damaged infrastruc-
ture. If we are unable to meet demand for our products, sales may undergo a structural decline.
We address this risk for certain products by building up safety stocks and by distributing produc-
tion among multiple sites, for example. Furthermore, an emergency response system based on
the respective corporate policy has been implemented at all our production sites as a mandatory
component of our HSEQ (health, safety, environment and quality) management.
See also A 1.2 Strategy
and A 1.3 Innovation
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Bayer Annual Report 2018
See also A 1.4
Marketing, sales and distribution
New product launches present particular challenges for our marketing and distribution organiza-
tion since assumptions about aspects such as the market and market circumstances may not
materialize as anticipated. As a result, product launch concepts – including those related to clini-
cal trials – and the planning or implementation of the distribution strategy could turn out to be
inefficient or inadequate in terms of scheduling. We address these risks with a forward-looking
analysis of possible scenarios and the development of suitable strategies for projects such as
planned product launches.
In some countries, the marketing rights for certain pharmaceutical products are held by third par-
ties. Inadequate performance by these marketing partners could adversely affect the development
of our sales and costs. Therefore, we have established an Alliance Management unit to monitor
the most important collaborations and provide relevant support to the operational functions.
Human resources
Skilled and dedicated employees are essential for the company’s success. Difficulties in recruiting,
hiring, retaining and further developing specialized employees could have significant adverse con-
sequences for the company’s future development. Furthermore, organizational changes that are
not implemented adequately or transparently can lead to declining motivation. Based on our anal-
ysis of future requirements, we counter these risks by designing appropriate employee recruitment
and development measures. In addition, the alignment of our company culture toward diversity
and employee needs enables us to tap the full potential of the employment market. Furthermore,
deliberate and transparent change management forms an integral part of our human resources
management and supports our efforts to constantly motivate our employees.
Information technology
Our business and production processes and our internal and external communications are de-
pendent on global IT systems. The confidentiality of internal and external data is of fundamental
importance to us in this connection. The risk of a breach of data confidentiality, integrity or au-
thenticity, for example due to (cyber) attacks, has increased as a result of the general security
situation. This could lead to the manipulation and / or the uncontrolled outflow of data and
knowledge, and to reputational damage. Our business and / or production processes could also
be temporarily disrupted by (cyber) attacks. The measures we undertake to counter these risks
include vigorously testing technologies before they are deployed and implementing projects to
keep technical security standards up to date and proactively examine new threats. In addition,
the existing IT infrastructure is protected against unauthorized access thanks to security
measures implemented by the Corporate Cyber Defense Center.
Finance and tax
Liquidity risk
Liquidity risks are defined as the possible inability of the Bayer Group to meet current or future
payment obligations. They are determined and managed by the Finance function as part of our
same-day and medium-term liquidity planning. The Bayer Group holds sufficient liquidity to ensure
the fulfillment of all planned payment obligations at maturity. For unbudgeted shortfalls in cash
receipts or unexpected disbursements, furthermore, a reserve is maintained and its balance is
regularly reviewed and adjusted. Credit facilities also exist with banks, including, in particular, an
undrawn €4.5 billion syndicated revolving credit facility with a current maturity of 2023.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
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129
3.2 Opportunity and Risk Report
Credit risks
Credit risks arise from the possibility that the value of receivables or other financial assets of the
Bayer Group may be impaired because counterparties cannot meet their payment or other per-
formance obligations. The maximum default risk is reduced by existing collateral, especially our
global credit insurance programs. To manage credit risks from trade receivables, the respective
invoicing companies appoint credit managers who regularly analyze customers’ creditworthiness.
We generally agree reservation of title with our customers. Credit limits are set for all customers.
All credit limits for debtors where total exposure is €10 million or more are evaluated locally and
submitted to the Finance function. Credit risks from financial transactions are managed centrally
in the Finance function. To minimize risks, financial transactions are only conducted within prede-
fined exposure limits and with banks and other partners that preferably have investment-grade
ratings.
Opportunities and risks resulting from market price changes
Opportunities and risks resulting from fluctuating exchange and interest rates as well as com-
modity prices in the market are managed by the Finance function. Risks are avoided or mitigated
through the use of derivative financial instruments. The type and level of currency, interest rate
and commodity price risks are determined using sensitivity analyses as per IFRS 7 that are based
on hypothetical changes in risk variables (such as interest curves) to determine the potential
effects of market price fluctuations on equity and earnings. The assumptions used in the sensitiv-
ity analyses are regularly reexamined and reflect our view of the changes in currency exchange
and interest rates as well as commodity prices that are reasonably possible over a one-year
period. Although they fall below the external reporting threshold under our ERM system, we
report on interest rate and commodity price risks in this section due to the provisions of IFRS 7.
Foreign currency opportunities and risks for the Bayer Group result from changes in exchange
rates and the related changes in the value of financial instruments (including receivables and
payables) and of anticipated payment receipts and disbursements not in the functional currency.
Receivables and payables in liquid currencies from operating activities and financial items are
generally fully exchange-hedged through cross-currency interest rate swaps. Anticipated exposure
from planned payment receipts and disbursements in the future is hedged through forward
exchange contracts and currency options according to management guidelines.
Sensitivities were determined on the basis of a hypothetical scenario in which the euro appreci-
ates or depreciates by 10% against all other currencies compared with the year-end exchange
rates. In this scenario, the estimated hypothetical increase or decrease in cash flows from deriva-
tive and nonderivative financial instruments would have improved or diminished earnings as of
December 31, 2018, by €12 million (December 31, 2017: €6 million). Derivatives used to hedge
anticipated currency exposure that are designated for hedge accounting would have improved or
diminished equity (other comprehensive income) by €358 million (December 31, 2017: €353 mil-
lion). Currency effects on anticipated exposure are not taken into account. Of the amount impact-
ing equity, €75 million is related to the Chinese renminbi (CNY), €53 million to the U.S. dollar
(USD), €42 million to the Japanese yen (JPY) and €42 million to the Canadian dollar (CAD).
Interest rate opportunities and risks result for the Bayer Group through changes in capital market
interest rates, which in turn could lead to changes in the fair value of fixed-rate financial instru-
ments and changes in interest payments in the case of floating-rate instruments. Interest rate
opportunities and risks are managed over a target duration established by management for
Bayer Group debt that is subject to regular review. Interest rate swaps are concluded to achieve
the target structure for Bayer Group debt. A sensitivity analysis conducted on the basis of our
net floating-rate receivables and payables position at year-end 2018, taking into account the
interest rates relevant for our receivables and payables in all principal currencies, produced the
following result: A hypothetical increase of one percentage point in these interest rates (assuming
constant currency exchange rates) as of January 1, 2018, would have raised our interest
expense for the year ended December 31, 2018, by €69 million (December 31, 2017: interest
income of €13 million).
See also A 3.2.1/3 Risk
Assessment Matrix
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Bayer Annual Report 2018
Commodity price opportunities and risks result for the Bayer Group from the volatility of raw mate-
rial prices, which can lead to an increase in the price we pay for seeds and energy. The commodi-
ty price risk is reduced by the use of commodity price derivatives such as futures, which are main-
ly designated as hedge accounting.
A sensitivity analysis with a 10% change in commodity prices would have an effect of €30 million
on equity.
Financial risks associated with pension obligations
The Bayer Group has obligations to current and former employees related to pensions and other
post-employment benefits. Changes in relevant measurement parameters such as interest rates,
mortality and salary increase rates may raise the present value of our pension obligations. This
may lead to increased costs for pension plans or diminish equity due to actuarial losses being
recognized as other comprehensive income in the statement of comprehensive income. A large
proportion of our pension and other post-employment benefit obligations is covered by plan as-
sets including fixed-income securities, shares, real estate and other investments. Declining or
even negative returns on these investments may adversely affect the future fair value of plan
assets. Both of these effects may negatively impact the development of equity and / or earnings
and / or may necessitate additional payments by our company. We address the risk of market-
related fluctuations in the fair value of our plan assets through balanced strategic investment, and
we constantly monitor investment risks in regard to our global pension obligations.
Tax risks
Bayer AG and its subsidiaries operate worldwide and are thus subject to many different national
tax laws and regulations. Bayer Group companies are regularly audited by the tax authorities in
various countries. Amendments to tax laws and regulations, legal judgments and their interpreta-
tion by the tax authorities, and the findings of tax audits in these countries may result in higher tax
expense and payments, thus also influencing the level of tax receivables, tax liabilities and de-
ferred tax assets and liabilities. Significant acquisitions, divestments, restructuring programs and
other reorganizational measures undertaken by Bayer could also have an impact. We counter the
resulting risks by continuously identifying and evaluating the tax framework. The Bayer Group
establishes provisions for taxes, based on estimates, for liabilities to the tax authorities of the
respective countries that are uncertain as to their amount and the probability of their occurrence.
It cannot be ruled out that these provisions are insufficient to cover all the risks.
External partner compliance
From the perspective of the Bayer Group as a whole, there is a risk that our partners, such as
suppliers, do not give due attention to our corporate values and ethical, compliance and sustaina-
bility requirements. We counter this risk through an evaluation process, a code of conduct for
suppliers, and supplier evaluations and audits. Until full integration is completed, Monsanto will
continue to apply its existing processes for sustainability in procurement. The code of conduct for
the acquired business, which mainly matches the content of Bayer’s code, remains in place for
existing supplier relationships.
Health, safety and environment
We attach great importance not only to product safety but also to protecting our employees and
the environment. Misconduct or noncompliance with legal requirements or Bayer Group standards
may result in personal injury, property, reputational or environmental damage, loss of production,
business interruptions and / or liability for compensation payments. Our principles, standards and
measures ensure that our requirements are adequately communicated, understood and optimally
implemented.
See also
A 1.5 Procurement
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
131
3.2 Opportunity and Risk Report
See also Note 32 to B
Consolidated Financial
Statements
See also A 1.6.1, A 4.2
and Note 32 to B
Consolidated Financial
Statements
See also A 1.6.1 Product
Stewardship
Intellectual property
The Bayer Group has a portfolio that largely consists of patent-protected products. Due to the
long period of time between the patent application and the market launch of a product, Bayer
generally only has a few years in which to earn an adequate return on its investment in research
and development. This makes effective and reliable patent protection all the more important. Ge-
neric manufacturers, in particular, attempt to contest patents prior to their expiration. We are cur-
rently involved in legal proceedings to enforce patent protection for our products. Legal action by
third parties for alleged infringement of patent or proprietary rights by Bayer may impede or even
halt the development or manufacturing of certain products or require us to pay monetary damages
or royalties to third parties. Our patents department regularly reviews the patent situation in col-
laboration with the respective operating units and monitors for potential patent infringements so
that legal action can be taken if necessary.
Legal / compliance
We are exposed to risks from legal disputes or proceedings to which we are currently a party or
which could arise in the future, particularly in the areas of product liability, competition and anti-
trust law, anticorruption law, patent law, tax law, data protection and environmental protection.
Investigations of possible legal or regulatory violations may result in the imposition of civil or crimi-
nal penalties – including substantial monetary fines – and / or other adverse financial conse-
quences, harm our reputation and hamper our commercial success. We have established a global
compliance management system to ensure the observance of laws and regulations. Monsanto
had its own compliance management system prior to the start of the integration process. This
system, which addresses largely the same risk areas as Bayer’s system, will remain in place until
integration into Bayer’s compliance processes and systems has been completed.
Product safety and stewardship
Bayer evaluates the potential health and environmental risks of a product along the entire value
chain. Despite extensive studies prior to approval or registration, products can be partially or
completely withdrawn from the market due to the occurrence of unexpected side-effects of phar-
maceutical products or other factors. Such a withdrawal may be voluntary or result from legal or
regulatory measures. In the agriculture business particularly, there is an additional risk that our
customers could use our products incorrectly. Furthermore, the presence of traces of unwanted
genetically modified organisms in agricultural products and / or foodstuffs can have wide-ranging
repercussions.
We counter these risks, which could give rise to liability claims and also negatively affect our repu-
tation, through comprehensive measures in the areas of pharmaceutical and crop protection
product safety and testing, including in particular a comprehensive stewardship program for ge-
netic product integrity and quality with regard to seeds. These measures are based on globally
defined principles and include analysis and monitoring measures, an alert system and training
programs.
Quality and regulatory requirements
In almost every country where we operate, our business activity is subject to extensive regula-
tions, standards, requirements and inspections, for example regarding clinical studies or produc-
tion processes in the area of health or at Crop Science in the monitoring of genetically modified
organisms, particularly at country level. Potential infringements of regulatory requirements may
result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties, including substantial monetary fines, a re-
striction on our freedom to operate, and / or other adverse financial consequences. They could
also harm Bayer’s reputation and lead to declining sales and / or margins.
We counter these risks through binding principles, standards and the control mechanisms
implemented. Quality requirements are defined and implemented in global quality management
systems.
See also A 1.6.1
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Bayer Annual Report 2018
Security
Due to the general security situation, we see an increase in potential criminal activities targeting
our employees, property or business activities. These include intellectual property theft, vandalism
and sabotage. There is also the risk of crises such as an extended power outage that could cause
disruptions to our information technology infrastructure and our production.
See also A 1.6 Safety
for People and the
Environment
We counter these risks – which in addition to financial effects could negatively affect our reputa-
tion in some cases – through our local crisis organizations, which produce response plans and
other measures. We have implemented early warning systems, ensure continuous reporting and
carry out regular crisis simulation exercises. In addition, we have established a global safety
community, and the Business Continuity Management unit within the Risk Management function
assesses business continuity risks and defines appropriate measures together with the responsi-
ble specialist units.
No risks that could
jeopardize the compa-
ny’s existence
3.2.3 Overall Assessment of Opportunities and Risks
by the Board of Management
In the opinion of the Board of Management, based on the current evaluations, none of the risks
described above endanger the company’s continued existence. Nor could we identify any risk
interdependencies that could combine to endanger the company’s continued existence. We do
not see any change in our risk situation compared with the previous year, as we had already
reported last year on changes resulting from the Monsanto acquisition. We remain convinced that
we can take advantage of the opportunities resulting from our entrepreneurial activity and suc-
cessfully master the challenges resulting from the risks stated above.
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133
4.1 Declaration by Corporate Management Pursuant to Sections 289f and 315d of the German Commercial Code
4. Corporate Governance Report
Conformance with the recommendations of the German Corporate
Governance Code with two exceptions
Nonfinancial statement integrated into management report
The Corporate Governance Report of the Bayer Group conforms with the recommendations of the
German Corporate Governance Code and includes a Declaration by Corporate Management pur-
suant to Sections 289f and 315d of the German Commercial Code as well as all the information
and explanations required by Section 289a through e and Section 315a through d of the German
Commercial Code. The contents of the Corporate Governance Report are also included in the
management report. The information contained in the Declaration by Corporate Management is
unaudited pursuant to Section 317, Paragraph 2, Sentence 4 and Sentence 5 of the German
Commercial Code.
The Board of
Management and the
Supervisory Board have
compiled a complete
Corporate Governance
Report which is available
on the Bayer website at
www.bayer.com/en/
Corporate-
Governance.aspx
See also C
Governance Bodies
4.1 Declaration by Corporate Management
Pursuant to Sections 289f and 315d of the
German Commercial Code
With the Declaration by Corporate Management pursuant to Sections 289f and 315d of the
German Commercial Code for Bayer AG and the Bayer Group, the company provides information
on the main elements of the Bayer Group’s corporate governance structures, relevant corporate
governance practices, the composition and procedures of the Board of Management and the
Supervisory Board and its committees, and the objectives and concepts that must be established
when composing the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board.
Compensation of the
Board of Management:
see A 4.4
Declaration concerning the German Corporate Governance Code pursuant to
Section 161 of the German Stock Corporation Act
In May 2018, the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board of Bayer AG published a
supplement to the declaration of December 2017, noting two planned deviations from the recom-
mendations of the Corporate Governance Code. Firstly, it was not possible to publish the interim
report for the second quarter within the recommended deadline of 45 days due to the closing of
the Monsanto transaction, as the necessary activities in connection with the first-time consolida-
tion of this company could not be completed within this period. Secondly and also in connection
with the acquisition, the performance targets for the short-term variable compensation of the
members of the Board of Management were adjusted during 2018 to enable the continued eval-
uation of the Board of Management in accordance with proper and demanding criteria following
the completion of the acquisition.
In December 2018, the Board of Management and Supervisory Board of Bayer AG once again
issued the annual declaration concerning the German Corporate Governance Code. As stated
in this declaration, Bayer AG complied with the recommendations of the German Corporate
Governance Code in the past with the two aforementioned exceptions, and intends to fully comply
with them once again in the future.
Information on corporate governance practices
Bayer AG is subject to German stock corporation law and therefore has a dual governance
system consisting of the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board, which manage the
company based on a transparent strategy that is geared toward the long-term success of the
company and complies with applicable law and ethical standards.
The declaration issued in
December 2018 con-
cerning the German
Corporate Governance
Code is published on the
Bayer website along with
previous declarations:
www.bayer.com/en/corp
orate-governance.aspx
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Bayer Annual Report 2018
4.1 Declaration by Corporate Management Pursuant to Sections 289f and 315d of the German Commercial Code
See A 1.1
www.bayer.com/en/
corporate-compliance-
policy.aspx
www.bayer.com/en/
supplier-code-of-
conduct.aspx
Members of the Board
of Management and
offices they hold: see C
Governance Bodies
Corporate governance practices that go beyond the legal requirements are derived from our vision
and our common values, which form the basis of the respectful working relationship between our
employees and with our external partners. Compliance with responsible practices at every stage
of the value chain is crucial in corporate governance. The main guidelines are summarized primari-
ly in our corporate policies on compliance, human rights, and fairness and respect at work, as
well as our Supplier Code of Conduct. The organization and oversight obligations of the Board of
Management and the Supervisory Board are mainly ensured by compliance management and risk
management systems.
Board of Management
Composition and objectives (diversity concept)
The Board of Management of Bayer AG is comprised of seven members and runs the company on
its own responsibility with the goal of sustainably increasing the company’s enterprise value and
achieving defined corporate objectives.
In the composition of the Board of Management, the Supervisory Board mainly takes into account
specialist expertise and personal aptitude, as well as aspects such as age, gender, education and
professional background. With regard to the proportion of women on the company’s Board of
Management, the Supervisory Board aims to ensure that there is at least one woman serving on
the Board of Management. This corresponds to a share of around 14% of the seven-member
Board of Management.
Another aspect relating to the composition of the Board of Management that the Supervisory
Board has resolved to pursue is diversity. Without basing selection decisions on this aspect in
individual cases, the Supervisory Board aims to ensure that different age groups are adequately
represented on the Board of Management, while also taking into account the experience required
for a position on the Board of Management. Irrespective of this, members of the Board of
Management should generally step down from that office when they turn 62. The composition of
the Board of Management should adequately reflect the company’s international operations. The
Supervisory Board therefore endeavors to include on the Board of Management several members
of different nationalities or with an international background (e.g. several years of career experi-
ence outside Germany or the oversight of foreign business activities). The Supervisory Board
also strives to ensure diversity with regard to the educational and professional background of the
members of the Board of Management. In addition to the requisite specific professional exper-
tise, management and leadership experience for the given task, members of the Board of
Management should cover the broadest possible spectrum of knowledge, experience, and edu-
cational and professional backgrounds.
These objectives are taken into account in the selection of candidates to fill open positions on the
Board of Management. With this concept for the composition of the Board of Management, the
Supervisory Board pursues the goal of ensuring not just the greatest possible individual suitability
of its various members, but also that as many different perspectives as possible are represented in
the leadership of the company through a balanced and diverse Board of Management structure
and that the candidate selection pool is as large as possible.
In accordance with statutory requirements, furthermore, there are also targets pertaining to the
proportion of women at the first and second management levels below the Board of Management
of Bayer AG. The Board of Management has set objectives of 20% women on the first manage-
ment level of Bayer AG and 25% women on the second management level. These objectives are
to be attained by June 30, 2022.
The Board of
Management should
in the future return
to having at least one
female member.
Implementation status of the objectives
Since the departure of Erica Mann on March 31, 2018, there has not been a woman on the Board
of Management. We will continue to intensively pursue our target of having one woman on the Board
of Management by June 30, 2022, or beforehand if at all possible. The goal of adequate representa-
tion of different age groups, while also taking into account the experience required for Board of
Management positions, was achieved. The ages of the members of the Board of Management were
relatively evenly spread across a range of 49 to 62 years as of December 31, 2018. Three of the
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
135
4.1 Declaration by Corporate Management Pursuant to Sections 289f and 315d of the German Commercial Code
For more information
on the procedure and
committees of the Board
of Management see
bayer.com/corporate-
governance.aspx
Members of the
Supervisory Board and
offices of the members
of the Supervisory
Board: see C Further
Information/Governance
Bodies
Compensation of
the members of the
Supervisory Board:
see A 4.3
seven members of the Board of Management are citizens of a country other than Germany. All
members of the Board of Management have amassed many years of career experience outside
Germany. The members of the Board of Management also have diverse educational and profes-
sional backgrounds: Some have completed various business-related courses of study or training,
while others have studied in various scientific fields including medicine.
Procedure and committees
The Board of Management performs its tasks according to the law, the Articles of Incorporation
and the Board’s rules of procedure, and works with the company’s other governance bodies in a
spirit of trust.
Supervisory Board
Composition and objectives (diversity concept and expertise profile)
Under the German Codetermination Act, half of the Supervisory Board’s 20 members are elected
by the stockholders, and half by the company’s employees.
The Supervisory Board endeavors to ensure that its members together possess the necessary
expertise, skills and professional experience to properly perform their duties. It strives particularly
to ensure that the members of the Supervisory Board possess expertise, skills and professional
experience in the following areas: management and leadership of international companies, a busi-
ness understanding with regard to the company’s main areas of activity, research and develop-
ment, finance, controlling / risk management, human resources and governance / compliance.
The Supervisory Board has also resolved to pursue diversity in its composition, for instance with
regard to age, gender, education and professional background. With respect to the international
business alignment of Bayer AG, the Supervisory Board strives to ensure at all times that several
of its members have international business experience or an international background in other
respects. Further objectives concerning the composition of the Supervisory Board are that differ-
ent age groups be suitably represented on the Supervisory Board and that, absent special cir-
cumstances, a member should not hold office beyond the end of the next Annual Stockholders’
Meeting following his or her 72nd birthday. With a view to avoiding potential conflicts of interest
and taking into account the ownership structure of the company and the number of independent
Supervisory Board members, the Supervisory Board has set itself the goal that more than half of
the stockholder representatives be independent. In addition, the Supervisory Board aims for at
least three quarters of its total membership (stockholder and employee representatives) to be
independent. The Supervisory Board assesses the independence of its members according to
the recommendation contained in Section 5.4.2 of the German Corporate Governance Code. In
assessing independence, the Supervisory Board also considers the criteria given in the recom-
mendation of the European Commission of February 15, 2005.6 Finally, the Supervisory Board
has set a standard limit on the duration of any person’s membership of the Supervisory Board in
line with the recommendation in Section 5.4.1, Paragraph 2 of the Code. Absent special circum-
stances, no person should remain a member of the Supervisory Board for more than three full
terms of office. For members of the Supervisory Board serving at the time the standard limit was
introduced (September 2015) who have already exceeded this limit or will exceed it by the end of
their current term of office, the limit will be applied with effect from the conclusion of their current
term of office.
The Nominations Committee and the full Supervisory Board take these objectives into considera-
tion when selecting candidates to fill open positions on the Supervisory Board. The stated objec-
tives refer to the Supervisory Board as a whole unless otherwise determined. However, since the
Supervisory Board can only nominate candidates for election as stockholder representatives, it
can only take the objectives into account in these nominations. One objective for Supervisory
Board elections is that neither women nor men account for less than 30% of the membership.
6 Annex 2 to the recommendation of the European Commission of February 15, 2005, on the role of nonexecutive or supervisory
directors of listed companies and on the committees of the (supervisory) board (2005/162/EC)
136
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4.2 Compliance
Bayer Annual Report 2018
The Supervisory Board aims to achieve a balanced and diverse composition, to the extent that it
can influence this. The aim is to ensure that as many different perspectives as possible are repre-
sented in the leadership of the company and that the candidate selection pool is as large as pos-
sible.
Implementation status of the objectives
The Supervisory Board has several members with international business experience or an
international background. The ages of the members of the Supervisory Board were relatively
evenly spread across a range of 48 to 72 years as of December 31, 2018. The objective that a
member should step down from the Supervisory Board at the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting
following their 72nd birthday – absent special circumstances – is being met. Two members of the
Supervisory Board were previously members of the company’s Board of Management: Werner
Wenning was Chairman of the Board of Management until 2010, and Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Plischke
was a member of the Board of Management until 2014. One member of the Supervisory Board,
Dr. Paul Achleitner, has been a member of the Supervisory Board for more than three terms of
office. However, neither Werner Wenning nor Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Plischke nor Dr. Paul Achleitner
has any personal or business relationship with the company or a governance body of the com-
pany that in the opinion of the Supervisory Board gives rise to a material conflict of interest of a
more than temporary nature.
There are no indications of any possible lack of independence in the case of the other Supervisory
Board members. Thus the Supervisory Board considers all of its members to be independent. The
proportion of women on the Supervisory Board is currently 30% for the full Supervisory Board and
30% for both the employee and the stockholder representatives. Five members of the Supervisory
Board are citizens of a country other than Germany. Numerous other members have many years
of international business experience. The members of the Supervisory Board have also completed
various different vocational training and study courses.
Procedure and committees
The role of the Supervisory Board is to oversee and advise the Board of Management. The
Supervisory Board is directly involved in decisions on matters of fundamental importance to the
company, regularly conferring with the Board of Management on the company’s strategic align-
ment and the implementation status of the business strategy. The Report of the Supervisory Board
in this Annual Report provides details about the work of the Supervisory Board and its committees.
Further information
Securities transactions by members of governance bodies
Members of the Board of Management or Supervisory Board and persons with whom they have
close relationships are legally obligated to report own-account transactions in shares or debt se-
curities of Bayer AG, associated derivatives or other associated financial instruments to Bayer AG
and the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) as soon as the total volume of
transactions made by a member of the Board of Management or Supervisory Board, or a person
with whom they have a close relationship, within a calendar year has reached the €5,000 thresh-
old. The transactions reported to Bayer AG in 2018 were duly published and can be viewed on the
company’s website.
See the Report of the
Supervisory Board for
information on the
committees’ responsi-
bilities
www.bayer.com/en/
disclosure-of-securities-
transactions.aspx
4.2 Compliance
www.bayer.com/
compliance
Bayer manages its businesses responsibly and in compliance with the statutory requirements and
regulations of the countries in which it operates. We define compliance as legally and ethically
impeccable conduct by all employees in their daily work, because the way they carry out their
duties affects our company’s reputation. We do not tolerate any violation of laws, codes of con-
duct or internal regulations. Compliance is essential for our long-term economic success.
Following the acquisition of Monsanto, compliance responsibilities for the acquired agriculture
business now lie with Bayer and its Law, Patents & Compliance function. Monsanto had its own
compliance management system prior to the start of the integration process. This system, which
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
137
4.2 Compliance
mitigates compliance risks and addresses largely the same risk areas as Bayer, will remain in
place until integration into Bayer’s compliance processes and systems has been completed. The
integration process has already begun and is scheduled to be completed in 2019.
Bayer compliance management
The Board of Management is unreservedly committed to compliance, and Bayer will forgo
any business transaction that would violate any of the 10 principles in our Corporate Compliance
Policy observed throughout the Bayer Group. These principles include the following:
// We compete fairly in every market.
// We act with integrity in all our business dealings.
// We balance economic growth with ecological and social responsibility.
// We observe trade controls that regulate our global business.
// We safeguard equal opportunity in securities trading.
// We keep accurate books and records.
// We treat each other with fairness and respect.
// We protect and respect intellectual property rights.
// We act in Bayer’s best interest.
// We protect and secure personal data.
Equivalent business principles are in place for our newly acquired business, forming part of its
own existing Code of Conduct that will continue to apply for the interim. The chapters contained
within this Code of Conduct correspond to the relevant chapters in the Bayer Corporate
Compliance Policy.
www.bayer.com/monsanto
-code-of-conduct
All employees are required to observe the compliance principles and to immediately report any
violation of the Corporate Compliance Policy. Bayer’s senior managers serve as role models and
have a vital part to play in implementing the compliance principles. They may lose their entitlement
to variable compensation components and be subject to further disciplinary measures if violations
of applicable law or internal regulations have occurred in their sphere of responsibility. Compliant
and lawful conduct also factors into the performance evaluations of all managerial employees.
The global compliance management system is steered by a central compliance organization
within the Bayer Group. This organization is headed by the Group Compliance Officer, who re-
ports directly to the Chairman of the Board of Management and to the Audit Committee of the
Supervisory Board. It is staffed with specialist compliance managers who are responsible for the
corporate functions and for establishing business- and industry-specific standards in the divi-
sions, business units and service companies.
Potential compliance risks are identified together with the operational units to ensure the system-
atic and preventive detection and assessment of risks. Potential risks are then entered into a
global compliance risk management database that we use to develop suitable measures for spe-
cific processes, business activities or countries, for example. In addition, we assess our business
partners according to risk criteria as we look to identify potential compliance risks.
Adherence to the corporate compliance principles is among the subjects covered in audits con-
ducted by Bayer’s Internal Audit. The planning of these audits follows a function- and risk-based
approach that also takes a corruption perceptions index into account. The largest companies,
which account for about 80% of Group sales, are generally subjected to audits at three-year inter-
vals. A total of 180 compliance audits were completed in 2018, of which 23 were preventive or
incident-related audits. The head of Internal Audit and the Group Compliance Officer regularly
attend the meetings of the Audit Committee of the Supervisory Board and once a year present an
overview of the audits performed.
In connection with the acquisition of Monsanto, the Bayer Internal Audit Charter directly entered
into force, guaranteeing regular transparency over audit findings of the internal audit organization
of the acquired agriculture business. The integration of the two companies’ internal audit process-
es and systems is set to be largely implemented over the course of 2019.
Corruption Perceptions
Index: see Glossary
138
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4.2 Compliance
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Handling of suspected and actual compliance violations
Suspected compliance violations can be reported – anonymously if desired and if permitted
by respective national law – to a central, worldwide compliance hotline that is also accessible to
the general public. In 2018, the compliance organization received a total of 251 reports in this
way (including 166 anonymous reports), with 17 reports coming from Germany and 234 from
other countries. The compliance hotline of our newly acquired agriculture business received a
total of 77 reports (including 47 anonymous reports) in 2018. The hotline will remain available
for a transitional period, ensuring that any reports received via that channel are recorded in the
Bayer Group incident database and processed in line with Bayer regulations. The central Bayer
compliance hotline was rolled out for the newly acquired agriculture business at the end of 2018.
Alternatively, suspected violations may also be reported to the respective compliance functions in
Germany or the country organizations, or to Internal Audit.
Compliance violations are systematically sanctioned. The action taken depends on factors includ-
ing the gravity of the compliance violation and applicable law. All cases are recorded according to
uniform criteria throughout the Bayer Group and dealt with under the rules set forth in Bayer’s
corporate policy entitled “Management of Compliance Incidents.”
Starting in 2019, this will also apply to compliance violations assigned to the acquired agriculture
business, ensuring that these cases are also subject to our Bayer Group documentation, pro-
cessing and reporting criteria. Cases assigned to the newly acquired agriculture business that
were received between the closing of the acquisition and the end of 2018 were documented in a
designated Monsanto database and, if deemed to be significant in nature, were reported to the
responsible Bayer representatives. These cases were processed in line with principles that mirror
our Bayer-wide standards. Significant cases from the acquired agriculture business that had yet to
be processed were analyzed and, where necessary, measures were drawn up.
Where an investigation confirms that a compliance violation has occurred, the company has a
graduated set of measures at its disposal. These include a verbal warning or written reprimand,
transfer to a different unit, cancellation of a planned promotion, a reduction in the short-term in-
centive payment, downgrading to a lower collectively agreed pay rate or managerial contract level,
and ordinary or extraordinary termination. Bayer also reserves the right to assert further claims
against the employee for cost reimbursement or damages and / or to initiate criminal proceedings.
Compliance training and communications activities
We support all employees in acting with integrity and proactively avoiding potential violations by
implementing Bayer-wide training measures and communication campaigns that are tailored to
target groups and based on identified needs. Both supervisors and compliance managers can
answer employees’ questions about lawful and ethical behavior.
In 2018, 97.6% (34,381) of Bayer’s managerial employees worldwide (excluding the acquired
agriculture business) completed at least one compliance training program. In 89 countries, we
also implemented a new global web-based training program covering the principles set out in our
Corporate Compliance Policy. The program, which takes the form of an interactive infographic, is
currently available in nine languages. As of December 31, 2018, it had been completed by 70%
(67,190) of employees (excluding the acquired agriculture business).
Relevant employees at the acquired agriculture business received training on insider trading
directly after closing of the transaction. 397 employees completed this training course at the
Monsanto University in June 2018, with a pass rate of 100%. As the next step, 865 employees
from around the world who were working at the acquired agriculture business were invited to
take an antitrust training course via the Bayer training portal in August and September 2018. In
2019, we will begin gradually rolling out further compliance training sessions, starting with a
web-based training course in the form of an interactive infographic on the principles of our
Corporate Compliance Policy. Training courses on the risk areas of anticorruption, conflicts of
interest, fairness and respect at work, and data protection will follow. Employees at the acquired
agriculture business have had access to all compliance training courses available in the Bayer
training portal since Day One in August 2018.
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139
4.2 Compliance
The Corporate Compliance Policy forms the basis of our compliance communication and training
activities. In 2018, we launched a speak-up campaign in both digital and print form. The rollout of
the Bayer Group compliance hotline to employees at the acquired agriculture business was also
accompanied by a speak-up campaign. Employees can additionally access compliance updates
and training courses using a specially designed app.
Marketing compliance
We do not tolerate bribery or any other form of improper exertion of influence on our business
partners. As part of our compliance management system, we register and investigate any sus-
pected violation of our responsible marketing principles, irrespective of whether the complaints
come from internal or external sources.
The most important internal Bayer corporate policy in this context is our Anti-Corruption Policy,
which is supplemented by the rules of conduct established in our corporate policy entitled
“Responsible Marketing & Sales.” Furthermore, we are committed to ethical advertising and
communication for all our products and services.
www.bayer.com/
responsible-marketing
Bayer has also put in place directives and corporate policies to prevent price fixing and ensure
data protection. Where several regulations are applicable, we principally comply with the more
stringent standards. Our corporate policies and the respective training programs are implemented
in the segments on a decentralized basis.
Industry codes adopted by major associations for pharmaceutical products and medical
devices also apply in marketing and distribution at Bayer at the global or regional levels. In many
countries, these standards are further underpinned by local codes – all of which apply to prescrip-
tion pharmaceuticals and some of which also apply to nonprescription medicines, dietary supple-
ments, medical devices and cosmetics.
All codes of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations (IFPMA)
serve as a binding minimum global standard for all human pharmaceutical products marketed
by Bayer. In addition, Bayer observes the codes of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical
Industries and Associations (EFPIA) in its interaction with health care professionals and patient
organizations. The WHO Ethical Criteria for Medicinal Drug Promotion, together with national ethi-
cal standards that are usually also enshrined in industry codes at the local level, represent the
minimum global standards for the advertising of human pharmaceutical products at Bayer.
All the aforementioned codes contain provisions governing, among other matters, advertising
materials, the distribution of samples, cooperation with members of specialist groups in connec-
tion with speaker and consultancy contracts, and scientific studies. Based on the EFPIA transpar-
ency code and the corresponding local interpretations, Pharmaceuticals annually discloses any
payments and other remunerations made to health care professionals and organizations for the
preceding calendar year.
In line with the principles of sustainable development and the responsible use of crop protection
products and seeds, Crop Science follows the guidelines of its Product Stewardship Policy.
This policy, which also satisfies the requirements of our corporate policy entitled “Responsible
Marketing & Sales,” is based on the International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management
issued by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the International
Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management issued by CropLife International.
Training measures on product-related communication, antitrust law, data protection and anti-
corruption are fundamental elements of our compliance management system. Principles commu-
nicated in these training courses provide an overview of globally applicable minimum requirements
for cooperation with key stakeholders, explicitly including those in the health care industry such as
physicians, hospitals or patient organizations. In addition to explaining general compliance princi-
ples, the anti-corruption courses provide specific advice on approaches to nonreciprocal benefits
and the exchange of services with health care professionals.
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4.2 Compliance
Bayer Annual Report 2018
www.bayer.com/code-
of-conduct-lobbying
www.bayer.com/fec-
bayer-pac
GRI 102-43
www.bayer.com/eu-
register
www.bayer.com/us-
lobbying-disclosure
www.bayer.com/
monsanto-political-
disclosures
www.bayer.com/fec-
monsanto
www.bayer.com/eu-
register-monsanto
Lobbying
Forming part of our commitment to ensuring transparent lobbying, our corporate policy entitled
“Code of Conduct for Responsible Lobbying” sets out binding rules for our involvement in political
matters and creates transparency in our interactions with the representatives of political institu-
tions. Following the acquisition of Monsanto, responsibility for the public affairs activities of the
acquired business transferred to the corresponding corporate function at Bayer. The correspond-
ing corporate policy on lobbying was updated in 2018 and is now binding for employees at the
acquired agriculture business.
As set out in this corporate policy, Bayer as a company did not make any donations to political
parties, politicians or candidates for political office in 2018. This does not include political dona-
tions in the United States, which permits Bayer to make donations in support of candidates and
elections at the state level. Such donations are subject to stringent conditions and mandatory
transparency measures that include a publicly accessible list documenting donations made at
state level.
In the United States, where applicable law may prohibit corporate donations for some federal,
state or local elections, Bayer’s employees have organized the Bayer Corporation Political Action
Committee (Bayer-US PAC) to support legislative candidates through private donations. Political
action committees are separate, segregated funds governed by Bayer employees and further
regulated by the U.S. Federal Election Commission and some state governments. The private
donations made by Bayer-US PAC are regularly reported to the U.S. Federal Election Commission
and can be viewed on its website.
Liaison offices – Contact with political stakeholders
For Bayer, national liaison offices are key touchpoints between the company and political
stakeholders. We publish details of material costs, project expenses, employee numbers
and any of the other statistics required in each country in the transparency registers of the
European institutions and the U.S. Congress. Bayer goes beyond the statutory requirements
in doing so. For instance, we also publish data for countries such as Germany where there is
no legal disclosure requirement. In 2018, the costs incurred at the liaison offices (excluding
the acquired agriculture business) totaled approximately €1.31 million in Berlin, Germany;
€3.3 million in Brussels, Belgium; €7 million in Washington, United States; €0.33 million in
Moscow, Russia; €0.35 million in Brasília, Brazil; and €0.98 million in Beijing, China.
The acquired agriculture business had previously used a different system, which is why its data
cannot be combined with Bayer’s data. This part of the company is scheduled to be integrated
into Bayer’s processes in 2019. Once completed, combined figures will be available. For the
United States, various categories of lobbying spending by the acquired agriculture business
can be accessed on the political disclosures website, while lobbying spending at federal level
can also be viewed in the transparency registry of the U.S. Congress. In Europe, disclosures in
the E.U. Transparency Register were last updated in 2017.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
141
4.3 Disclosures Pursuant to Sections 289b Through e and 315b and c of the German Commercial Code (HGB)
4.3 Disclosures Pursuant to Sections 289b
Through e and 315b and c of the German
Commercial Code (HGB)
The Bayer Group meets the requirements for the nonfinancial statement pursuant to Sections 289
b through e and 315 b and c of the German Commercial Code (HGB). The relevant disclosures
pertaining to the nonfinancial statement in accordance with the Corporate Social Responsibility
Directive Implementation Act (CSR-RUG) are integrated into the management report.
The Supervisory Board fulfilled its auditing duty for the nonfinancial statement pursuant to
Section 170, Paragraph 1 and Section 171, Paragraph 1 of the German Stock Corporation Act
(AktG).
4.4 Compensation Report
The Compensation Report describes the essential features of the compensation packages for the
members of the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board of Bayer AG and explains the
compensation the individual members were granted or received for the 2018 fiscal year. The re-
port complies with the requirements of the applicable financial reporting standards for publicly
traded companies (German Commercial Code [HGB], German Accounting Standards [DRS] and
the International Financial Reporting Standards [IFRS]) as well as with the recommendations con-
tained in the current versions of the German Corporate Governance Code and the guidelines for
the sustainable compensation of management board members. The Compensation Report also
largely takes into account foreseeable requirements resulting from the European Shareholder
Rights Directive II (SRD II), which has yet to be transposed into German law.7
The guidelines for the
sustainable compensa-
tion of management
board members were
developed by super-
visory board chairper-
sons, investor repre-
sentatives, scientists
and corporate govern-
ance experts.
4.4.1 Compensation of the Board of Management
Objective
The compensation system for the Board of Management of Bayer AG applies in the version ap-
proved by a large majority (81.1%) at the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting on April 29, 2016. It is
aligned to the corporate strategy and geared toward performance-driven, sustainable corporate
governance and an appropriate compensation structure and level. The compensation system for
the Board of Management corresponds very largely to the system applying to all managerial em-
ployees not covered by collective bargaining agreements.
Key elements in Board of Management compensation include not only the absolute amount
and appropriate and clear thresholds, but also a balanced mix of fixed income and short- and
long-term variable compensation components. In accordance with the recommendations of the
German Corporate Governance Code and the guidelines for the sustainable compensation of
management board members, the variable portion of target compensation at Bayer has a predom-
inantly long-term character. Fixed compensation accounts for about 30% of target compensation,
the annual target bonus for about 30% and the four-year long-term bonus for about 40%.
The compensation of the Board of Management is reviewed each year and is usually increased in
line with the consumer price index for Germany. If the Supervisory Board considers an additional
adjustment necessary, the Human Resources Committee discusses the matter in detail with the aid
of background information and prepares a corresponding resolution proposal for the Supervisory
Board. The benchmark for the compensation review, for which an external independent expert is
consulted, is the DAX 30 companies excluding financial services companies. All of the assessment
criteria recommended in Section 4.2.2 of the German Corporate Governance Code are taken into
account. The full Supervisory Board then resolves on the proposed adjustment.
7 The proposed rules as published on October 11, 2018, in the draft of a law to transpose the European Shareholder Rights
Directive II into German law (ARUG II) were taken into account.
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An overview of the compensation system for the Board of Management is given below:
A 4.4.1/1
Board of Management Compensation Policy for 2018
Objective
Basis of calculation
Fixed annual
compensation
Fringe benefits
Short-term variable cash
compensation (Short-term
incentive [STI]) = annual
bonus
The annual bonus encourages
profitable growth and is based
on a comparison of target
attainment with the budgeted
targets of individual segments
and the Group as a whole.
Ensuring the relative fairness of
bonuses for the individual
members of the Board of
Management
Right of the Supervisory
Board to intervene in
determining the annual
bonus; malus and
clawbacks
Long-term stock-based
cash compensation
Aspire 2.0
(long-term incentive [LTI])
Payment limits (caps)
The level of fixed annual compensation reflects a person’s role on the Board of
Management, their experience, the scope of responsibility to be exercised and
market conditions.
Fringe benefits include a company car with driver, the costs of health screening
examinations, various types of insurance, and private home security installations.
They also include indemnity payments to new members of the Board of
Management for variable compensation components granted to them by former
employers that lapse due to their joining Bayer.
1. Sales growth (Fx & portfolio adj.) & EBITDA margin before special items
of segments
2. Core EPS
In addition, Bayer agrees on personal targets with each member of the Board of
Management. The attainment of these targets and a Board member’s contribution
to attaining Group targets can positively or negatively affect their individual
payout.
The Supervisory Board has the discretion to alter the amount of an annual bonus
if the Supervisory Board arrives at an assessment that differs from the evaluation
determined for a member of the Board of Management. Irrespective of this, the
legal basis exists for Bayer to reduce payments or demand their return if a Board
of Management member commits a breach of duty that results in financial loss. It
is intended that this also be contractually agreed in the future.
The four-year bonus fosters a
sustained increase in corporate
value.
Virtual, stock-based compensation program: Payments are made automatically
after four years based on the absolute increase in value, dividends, and
performance of Bayer shares relative to the EURO STOXX 50.
Avoiding excessive, out-of-
control payments
Caps apply to both variable compensation components. In addition, there is an
overall cap on the three components of cash compensation:
STI:
Target value = 100% of fixed annual compensation
Cap = 200% of the target value
LTI:
Target value = 150% of fixed annual compensation multiplied by the personal STI
payment factor for the previous fiscal year
Cap = 250% of the target value
The overall payment cap for components of cash compensation amounts to 1.8
times the target cash compensation (fixed annual compensation + STI + LTI). In
this calculation, the LTI target value is set at 150% of fixed annual compensation.
Share ownership
guidelines
Promotion of sustainable
corporate development and
identification with the company
Within four years of their appointment, members of the Board of Management are
contractually obligated to purchase Bayer shares equating to one-half of the LTI
target value (75% of fixed annual compensation) and to retain these shares for as
long as they serve on the Board of Management.
Retirement and surviving
dependents’ pensions
Provision of contributions to
provide an adequate pension
Contract termination
Inappropriately high payments
are to be avoided.
Change of control
Ensuring independence in
acquisition situations
Company contributions amount to 42% of fixed annual compensation, with the
Board of Management member contributing 9%. These amounts are converted
into pension entitlements. Benefits accrue from the sum total of the pension
entitlements.
If the company early terminates a Board of Management member’s contract,
the company will fulfill its contractual commitments until that Board member
leaves Bayer. This does not apply in the event of termination for cause. The
company may also make a severance payment equivalent to the lower of two
years’ compensation or the compensation for the remainder of the original
contract term.
Indemnity payments amounting to 250% of fixed annual compensation, capped
as per the German Corporate Governance Code at the lower of (i) three years’
compensation or (ii) the compensation for the remainder of the contract term
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Performance-related components
Short-term variable cash compensation
The short-term variable cash compensation (STI) depends on the company’s business success in
the respective year. The level of the STI is determined by the target attainment for three subcom-
ponents – the Group component, the divisional component and the individual performance com-
ponent – each of which is given a one-third weighting in the performance evaluation. The perfor-
mance evaluation takes into account both positive and negative developments.
// The Group component is based on the core earnings per share of the Group and is capped at
200%.
// The divisional component is incentivized based on the average performance of the divisions.
For the members of the Board of Management with functional responsibility, this component is
calculated using the following weighting: Pharmaceuticals 50%, Consumer Health 20% and
Crop Science 30% (of which the Crop Science Division accounts for 85% and Animal Health for
15%). For the Board members with divisional responsibility, this one-third of the STI is incentiv-
ized entirely on the basis of the respective division’s earnings. The assessment of divisional per-
formance comprises a 70% component linked to the attainment of financial targets in relation to
the EBITDA margin before special items and divisional sales growth. For Crop Science, cash
flow performance is also taken into account. The remaining 30% component of divisional per-
formance is based on the attainment of qualitative goals in areas such as innovative progress,
safety, compliance and sustainability. The divisional component is capped at 300%.
// The target attainment criteria for the individual performance component are based on the
duties and resulting personal targets of the respective member of the Board of Management,
as well as on his or her individual contribution to the attainment of the Group targets. The indi-
vidual targets for the members of the Board of Management are determined annually by the
Supervisory Board, which also assesses their attainment. The individual performance compo-
nent is capped at 200%
The entire amount of the STI is paid out in cash in the second quarter of the following year.
A 4.4.1/2
Short-Term Variable Cash Compensation Components (STI)
STI
Group component
Divisional component
Individual component
1/3 of STI target value
1/3 of STI target value
1/3 of STI target value
Based on Group target
attainment (core EPS)
Based on the attainment of
financial (70%) and qualitative
(30%) targets by the divisions
Based on individual
performance and individual
contribution to attainment of
team targets
Board members with functional responsibility
Board members with divisional responsibility
Average performance of the Pharmaceuticals
(50%), Consumer Health (20%) and Crop
Science (30%) divisions
Performance of the respective division (100%;
weighting for Crop Science is 85% Crop
Science and 15% Animal Health)
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For fiscal 2018, the following target values for core EPS were budgeted and achieved, respectively,
for the Group component: Target value: €5.74 per share / Target attainment: €5.94 per share. The
performance evaluation corridor set for 2018 was between €6.24 (200% payout = cap) and €5.24
(payout from this component = 0). These values were adjusted due to the acquisition of Monsanto
and the capital increases implemented in 2018. The previous target value was €6.72 per share with
a corridor of €7.22 (200% payout = cap) and €6.22 (payout from this component = 0).
The divisional component consists of quantitative (70%) and qualitative (30%) elements. For the
quantitative performance evaluation for the divisional component, sales growth (Fx & portfolio adj.)
and the EBITDA margin before special items are considered in a two-dimensional matrix. Awards
above 100% of the target value can occur, for example, if one performance target is met and the
other is exceeded, or if both performance targets are exceeded.
STI Payment Matrix
1
A 4.4.1/3
EBITDA margin before special items
Sales growth
2
(Fx & p. adj.)
PH
CH
CS
AH
< Target value
2.7%
– 1.0%
47.6%
– 0.9%
…
…
…
…
Target value
5.2%
1.5%
52.6%
1.6%
…
…
…
…
< Target
value
Target
value
32.7% …
33.7% …
20.0% …
21.0% …
15.7% …
17.7% …
21.2% …
22.2% …
PH
CH
CS
AH
0% …
… …
50% …
… …
50% …
100% …
… …
… …
> Target value
7.7%
4.0%
57.6%
4.1%
100% …
150% …
1 Financial targets for the respective division (70% weighting)
2 Currency-adjusted sales growth is used at Crop Science in view of the Monsanto acquisition.
> Target
value
34.7%
22.0%
19.7%
23.2%
100%
…
150%
…
200%
For fiscal 2018, the following target values for sales growth and the EBITDA margin before special
items were budgeted and achieved, respectively, for the divisions.
Pharmaceuticals
// Sales growth vs. 2017 (Fx & portfolio adj.): Target value: 5.2% / Attainment: 3.4%
// EBITDA margin before special items:
Target value: 33.7% / Attainment: 33.4%
Consumer Health
// Sales growth vs. 2017 (Fx & portfolio adj.): Target value: 1.5% / Attainment: – 0.7%
// EBITDA margin before special items:
Target value: 21.0% / Attainment: 20.1%
Crop Science
// Sales growth vs. 2017 (Fx adj.):
// EBITDA margin before special items:
// The Crop Science target values were adjusted due to the acquisition of Monsanto.
Target value: 52.6% / Attainment: 52.8%8
Target value: 17.7% / Attainment: 18.6%
The original targets were 5.1% for sales growth and 21.7% for the EBITDA margin before
special items.
Animal Health
// Sales growth vs. 2017 (Fx & portfolio adj.): Target value: 1.6% / Attainment: 0.5%
// EBITDA margin before special items:
Target value: 22.2% / Attainment: 23.9%
8 When determining target attainment, the sales of the Monsanto business were adjusted for currency effects on the basis of the
exchange rates prevailing at the time the targets were set.
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145
4.4 Compensation Report
The qualitative performance evaluation is based on the attainment of other divisional targets. The
qualitative components can also be used as a correction factor at the reasonable discretion of the
Supervisory Board.
The quantitative and qualitative elements that make up the divisional component for 2018 resulted
in the following overall target attainment levels:
// Pharmaceuticals: 52%
// Consumer Health: 35%
// Crop Science:
105%
// Animal Health:
123%
// Reconciliation:
65%
In accordance with a resolution of the Human Resources Committee and the Supervisory Board,
all members of the Board of Management receive individual targets that are tailored to their re-
spective areas of responsibility. Target attainment is individually evaluated following the end of the
fiscal year. The following table provides an overview of the subject areas taken into account for the
individual performance targets agreed upon.
A 4.4.1/4
Individual Targets Agreed
Board of Management member
Topic areas for individual targets
Werner Baumann
Dr. Hartmut Klusik
Acquisition and integration of Monsanto, strengthening the Bayer brand,
quality assurance, integrating new Board members
Talent acquisition and employee development, quality assurance, production
safety, sustainability strategy
Johannes Dietsch / Wolfgang Nickl
1 Acquisition and integration of Monsanto, financing of the Monsanto acquisition,
Kemal Malik
Liam Condon
reducing Bayer’s interest in Covestro
Research, innovation, Leaps by Bayer
2
Acquisition and integration of Monsanto, business continuity at Crop Science,
digitalization
Erica Mann / Heiko Schipper
1
Consumer Health core topics, focus on United States and China, digitalization
Dieter Weinand / Stefan Oelrich
1
Research and product pipeline at Pharmaceuticals, quality assurance,
inlicensing, key markets, digitalization
1 Wolfgang Nickl, Heiko Schipper and Stefan Oelrich took over the personal targets of their respective predecessors for the
remainder of the year.
2 For information on Leaps by Bayer, see also A 1.3.
In addition, team targets are agreed to reflect the collective responsibility of the members of the
Board of Management as a governance body. The team targets are based on the Group targets
set by the Board of Management for 2018 and approved by the Supervisory Board. The following
table provides an overview of the subject areas taken into account for the Group targets.
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A 4.4.1/5
Team Targets 2018
Subject area
Targets
Alignment against growth markets
// Prepare closing and successfully integrate Monsanto while maintaining
business continuity
// Drive organic growth by further focusing activities on ‘must-wins’
// Create value-creating growth opportunities by active portfolio
management, M&A and inlicensing
Innovation powered by science
// Drive pipeline progress in divisions
// Drive breakthrough innovation through Leaps by Bayer
// Drive digital transformation
Excellence in execution
// Take measures to ensure profitable growth and sound cash generation
Commitment to people and
sustainability
// Realize Monsanto synergy milestones and drive other divisional / functional
efficiency programs
// Accomplish functional excellence for best-in-class business support
// Ensure quality, safety, compliance and actively manage risks
// Drive cultural enhancement and further advance Bayer as an employer of
choice
// Drive societal and ecological progress
The attainment of the individual targets and the team targets is assessed by the Human
Resources Committee and the Supervisory Board following the end of the fiscal year and has a
one-third weighting in the calculation of the STI payout.
Long-term stock-based cash compensation (LTI)
Members of the Board of Management are eligible to participate in the annual tranches of the
long-term stock-based compensation program Aspire on condition that they purchase a certain
number of Bayer shares – determined for each individual according to specific guidelines – as a
personal investment and hold them for as long as they continue in the service of the Bayer Group.
The LTI target values for the Aspire 2.0 tranches issued each year since 2016 are generally based
on a contractually agreed target rate of 150% of fixed annual compensation. The starting value is
also multiplied by the individual STI payment factor for the Board member concerned for the year
prior to the issuance of the respective tranche.
LTI target value = 150% * fixed annual compensation * STI payment factor prior to issuance of the tranche
The cash payment amounts are determined after four years based on the LTI target value, the
development of Bayer’s share price, the performance of Bayer stock relative to the EURO STOXX
50 and the dividends paid in the meantime (total stockholder return approach).
LTI payout = LTI target value *
average share price of last 30 days
of trading prior to expiration of the tranche
average share price of last 30 days
of trading prior to issuance of the tranche
relative performance
vs. EURO STOXX50
*
+ total dividends
For the Board of Management, an additional performance measure has been included in the
LTI program in the form of the comparison with the EURO STOXX 50 mentioned above. This
increases or decreases the payout by the percentage of overperformance or underperformance,
respectively, but by no more than 50 percent either way.
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Illustration of Aspire 2.0 Elements and Design
Amount
A 4.4.1/6
Relative performance of Bayer shares
against the EURO STOXX 50
Absolute performance
of Bayer shares
Total dividends
Time
The payout/performance
matrix according to
the absolute and
relative development of
Bayer’s share price is
explained at
www.investor.bayer.com
/en/stock/stockprograms
/aspire/.
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Issue of the tranche
Dividend (hypothetical values)
Average share price over the last 30 trading days prior to the respective closing date
Development of Bayer shares (hypothetical values)
Development of the EURO STOXX 50 (hypothetical values)
The payments made under the tranches of the Aspire program issued in the years up to 2015
continue to be based until their expiration on the Aspire Target Opportunity, which is a contractu-
ally agreed percentage of fixed annual compensation. Depending on the performance of Bayer
stock, both in absolute terms and relative to the EURO STOXX 50 benchmark index, participants
are granted an award of between 0% and a maximum 300% of their individual Aspire Target
Opportunity at the end of the respective performance periods.
If a member of the Board of Management enters retirement during the year or steps down from
the Board of Management during the year due to the nonextension of their service contract by
mutual agreement or by the company’s decision, the Aspire tranche granted for that year is re-
duced on a prorated basis according to the duration of the member’s active service on the Board
of Management during this first year of the tranche. In this case, tranches granted for previous
years remain in effect without any changes.
The payout from the 2014 Aspire tranche in January 2018 was based on the following starting
and closing prices / values for Bayer’s shares and the EURO STOXX 50, with the closing price /
value having been calculated at year-end 2017 (end of the four-year period):
// Starting price of Bayer shares (average of the last 30 trading days in 2013): €96.96
Closing price of Bayer shares (average of the last 30 trading days in 2017): €106.61
// Starting value of the EURO STOXX 50 (average of the last 30 trading days in 2013): 3,026.85
Closing value of the EURO STOXX 50 (average of the last 30 trading days in 2017): 3,566.83
For the 2014 Aspire tranche, 20% of the starting value was paid out. The 2015 tranche did not
lead to a payout in January 2019 due to a decline in the stock price.
Pension entitlements (retirement and surviving dependents’ pensions)
The annual pension entitlement for members of the Board of Management is based on contribu-
tions. Each year Bayer provides a hypothetical contribution amounting to 42% of the respective
fixed annual compensation. This percentage is comprised of a basic contribution of 6% and a
matching contribution of 36%, which is four times the member’s personal contribution of 9%. The
total annual contribution is converted into a pension entitlement according to the annuity table for
the applicable tariff of the Rheinische Pensionskasse VVaG pension fund. The annual pension
entitlement upon retirement is the total amount of the accumulated pension entitlements including
an investment bonus. The investment bonus is determined annually based on the net return on
the assets of the Rheinische Pensionskasse VVaG minus the minimum return on the contributions
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that is guaranteed under the tariff and approved by the German Financial Supervisory Authority
(BaFin). Future pension payments are annually reviewed and adjusted to take into account the
development of consumer prices.
In addition, special individual arrangements exist for the following members of the Board of
Management:
// Werner Baumann has been granted a vested entitlement to an annual pension of
€200 thousand starting on his 60th birthday. This is subject to a prorated reduction in the event
that his term of office ends prior to his 60th birthday under certain conditions.
// Kemal Malik has been granted a vested entitlement to an annual pension of €80 thousand start-
ing on his 65th birthday. This is subject to a prorated reduction in the event that his term of of-
fice ends prior to his 65th birthday under certain conditions.
// Erica Mann participated in pension plans in Germany (30%) and Switzerland (70%) on a prorat-
ed basis in view of her split service contract. Ms. Mann had the option to receive either a life-
long monthly annuity or a capital sum when the pension benefits from her two pension plans fell
due. She chose the capital sum.
// Heiko Schipper participates in pension plans in Germany (30%) and Switzerland (70%) on a
prorated basis in view of his split service contract.
Certain assets are administered by Bayer Pension Trust e.V. under a contractual trust arrangement
(CTA) to cover pension entitlements resulting from direct commitments in Germany. This provides
substantial additional security – beyond the benefits from the Pension Insurance Association – for
the respective pension entitlements of the members of the Board of Management in Germany.
Benefits upon termination of service on the Board of Management
When a service contract of a Board of Management member terminates (by expiration or nonex-
tension), all previously applicable payments for fixed compensation and the annual bonus (STI)
cease along with expenditures for the company pension plan and all fringe benefits. However,
long-term variable compensation (LTI) has a continuing effect, as payments from these four-year
tranches are only made over time and are not brought forward upon termination of the service
contract. However, the entitlements have been earned during the regular contract term.
Post-contractual noncompete agreements
Post-contractual noncompete agreements exist with the members of the Board of Management,
providing for compensatory payments to be made by the company for the two-year duration of
these agreements. The compensatory payment for each of the two years amounts to 100% of the
average fixed compensation for the 12 months preceding their departure. In line with legal re-
quirements, other work-related income is taken into account when determining the compensatory
payment. The company can opt to waive the noncompete agreement when a service contract
terminates, in which case no compensatory payment is made. This is also the case when a mem-
ber of the Board of Management retires after leaving the company.
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4.4 Compensation Report
Unfitness for work
In the event of temporary unfitness for work, members of the Board of Management continue to
receive the contractually agreed compensation. Bayer AG may early terminate the service contract
if the Board member has been continuously unfit for work for at least 18 months and is likely to be
permanently incapable of fully performing their duties (permanent incapacity to work). A disability
pension is paid in the event of contract termination before the age of 60 due to permanent inca-
pacity to work. For members of the Board of Management, the amount of the disability pension
under the service contract corresponds to the entitlement accrued on the date of contract termi-
nation, taking into account a fictitious period of service between that date and the member’s 55th
birthday, where applicable.
Planned changes starting in 2019 and 2020
For members of the Board of Management with functional responsibility, the following adjustment
will be made to the weighting of the divisional component of their short-term variable cash com-
pensation as a result of the Monsanto acquisition: Pharmaceuticals 45%, Consumer Health 10%
and Crop Science 45% (of which the Crop Science Division accounts for 95% and Animal Health
for 5%).
The Supervisory Board intends to adjust the Share Ownership Guidelines and to increase the
required value of each Board of Management member’s personal investment in Bayer stock to
100% of fixed annual compensation starting in 2020.
The Supervisory Board also plans to include explicit clawback provisions – i.e. possibilities for
reclaiming compensation components that have already been paid out – in the contracts.
Compensation of the Board of Management in 2018
The aggregate compensation (HGB) for the members of the Board of Management in 2018 totaled
€24,509 thousand (2017: €24,324 thousand), comprising €8,212 thousand (2017: €6,414 thou-
sand) in non-performance-related components and €16,297 thousand (2017: €17,910 thousand)
in performance-related components. The pension service cost amounted to €2,745 thousand
(2017: €2,546 thousand).
As of December 31, 2018, the Board of Management of Bayer AG consisted of seven members.
The following changes to the membership of the Board of Management took place in 2018, with
the new members having been appointed by the Supervisory Board:
// Heiko Schipper became a member of the Board of Management of Bayer AG effective March 1,
2018. He succeeded Erica Mann as head of the Consumer Health Division on April 1, 2018.
// Wolfgang Nickl became a member of the Board of Management of Bayer AG effective April 26,
2018. He succeeded Johannes Dietsch as Chief Financial Officer of Bayer AG on June 1, 2018.
// Stefan Oelrich became a member of the Board of Management of Bayer AG effective
November 1, 2018. He succeeded Dieter Weinand as head of the Pharmaceuticals Division
on the same date.
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The following table shows the aggregate compensation, according to the German Commercial
Code, of the individual members of the Board of Management who served in 2017 and / or 2018:
A 4.4.1/7
Board of Management Compensation (German Commercial Code)
Fixed annual
compensation
Fringe benefits
Short-term
variable cash
compensation
Long-term
stock-based
cash
compensation
1
(Aspire)
Aggregate
compensation
Pension
2
service cost
€ thousand
2017
2018
2017
2018
2017
2018
2017
2018
2017
2018
2017
2018
Serving members of the
Board of Management
as of December 31, 2018
Werner Baumann (Chairman)
1,487
1,511
Liam Condon
Dr. Hartmut Klusik
Kemal Malik
Wolfgang Nickl
Stefan Oelrich
3
Heiko Schipper
4
Former members
Johannes Dietsch
5
Erica Mann
6
Dieter Weinand
Total7
806
756
781
–
–
–
756
756
806
819
768
794
523
137
640
320
192
683
49
43
40
36
–
–
–
42
24
32
46
45
39
37
41
142
1,431
17
3
24
1,335
519
565
604
–
–
–
679
378
810
1,708
1,056
805
813
571
133
639
346
192
674
3,530
2,039
1,677
1,597
1,591
–
–
–
793
864
923
1,056
973
1,104
6,401
3,045
2,958
3,012
–
–
–
1,483
1,210
432
145
1,932
1,031
2,960
2,368
3,580
5,304
2,713
2,476
2,567
2,191
1,385
3,814
1,115
532
2,412
809
320
305
310
–
–
–
305
257
240
874
348
331
315
133
19
178
141
204
202
6,148
6,387
266
1,825
4,890
6,937 13,020
9,360 24,324 24,509
2,546
2,745
1 Fair value at grant date
2 Including company contributions to Bayer-Pensionskasse VVaG, Rheinische Pensionskasse VVaG and to a pension fund outside Germany
3 The fringe benefits for Stefan Oelrich contain an indemnity payment of €135 thousand for variable compensation components granted to him by his former
employer that lapsed due to his joining Bayer. The indemnity amounts to €2,424 thousand in total and will be paid over a period of three years on a pro rata
temporis basis.
4 The fringe benefits for Heiko Schipper contain an indemnity payment of €894 thousand for variable compensation components granted to him by his former
employer that lapsed due to his joining Bayer. The compensation amounts to €1,950 thousand in total. A quarter of this amount was paid as at the date he joined
the Board of Management. The remaining three-quarters of this amount will be paid over a period of three years on a pro rata temporis basis.
5 Johannes Dietsch was additionally granted a compensatory payment of €1,522 thousand under the post-contractual noncompete agreement. This will be paid out
monthly over a period of two years on a pro rata temporis basis.
6 It was agreed with Erica Mann that she would receive a severance payment of €1,978 thousand in view of her leaving the company effective March 31, 2018.
This puts her in the same position as if she had held office until December 31, 2018, and had then retired.
7 The total compensation of the Board of Management includes fixed annual compensation of €583 thousand (2017: €529 thousand), fringe benefits of €1,000
thousand (2017: €24 thousand), short-term variable cash compensation of €581 thousand (2017: €265 thousand) and long-term stock-based cash compensation
of €874 thousand (2017: €847 thousand) that Erica Mann and Heiko Schipper received from our subsidiary Bayer Consumer Care AG, Switzerland, in their
respective capacities as head of the Consumer Health Division.
Fixed annual compensation
The fixed annual compensation of the members of the Board of Management was adjusted in
2018. The total fixed annual compensation of all the members was €6,387 thousand (2017:
€6,148 thousand).
Short-term variable cash compensation
The total short-term variable cash compensation for all the members of the Board of Management
in 2018 totaled €6,937 thousand (2017: €4,890 thousand) after deduction of the solidarity
contribution. Provisions of €5,725 thousand (2017: €4,890 thousand) were established for pay-
ment of this compensation component to the members of the Board of Management serving as
of December 31, 2018. The solidarity contribution is made by all employees of the companies
covered by the respective agreements with the employee representatives to help safeguard jobs
at the German sites. For 2018 it amounted to 0.22% (2017: 0.25%) of each person’s STI award.
Long-term variable cash compensation based on virtual Bayer shares
This compensation component no longer exists following the adjustment of the compensation
system for the Board of Management effective January 1, 2016. The conversion of 50% of the
STI into virtual Bayer shares took place for the last time in 2015 and was based on an average
price of €119.17. The aggregate compensation for 2018 according to IFRS includes a negative
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
151
4.4 Compensation Report
change of €978 thousand (2017: positive change of €538 thousand) in the value of existing
entitlements. Provisions of €1,824 thousand (2017: €6,841 thousand) existed as of December
31, 2018, for the future cash disbursements to currently serving members of the Board of
Management based on the virtual Bayer shares granted in previous years. This amount also
contains the dividend entitlements attributable to the respective prior years.
Long-term stock-based cash compensation (Aspire)
The long-term stock-based cash compensation under the Aspire program is included in the ag-
gregate compensation according to the German Commercial Code at its fair value of €9,360 thou-
sand (2017: €13,020 thousand) at the respective grant date.
The aggregate compensation according to IFRS includes the fair value of the partial entitlement
earned in the respective year. Grants of stock-based compensation with a four-year performance
period are therefore expensed at their respective fair values over four years starting with the grant
year. The stock-based compensation according to IFRS also includes the change in the value of
existing entitlements under ongoing Aspire tranches granted in prior years.
Board of Management Compensation – Aspire Program (IFRS)
A 4.4.1/8
Serving members of the Board of Management
as of December 31, 2018
Former members
Werner
Baumann
(Chairman)
Liam
Condon
Dr.
Hartmut
Klusik
Kemal
Malik
Wolfgang
Nickl
Stefan
Oelrich
Heiko
Schipper
Johannes
Dietsch
Erica
Mann
Dieter
Weinand
Total
2018
1,029
537
524
536
105
28
131
1,197
475
2,098
6,660
2017
1,528
871
819
830
2018
(972)
(604)
(565)
(581)
2
2017
2018
2017
(120)
57
1,408
(77)
(67)
794
(42)
(41)
777
(58)
(45)
772
–
–
–
105
–
–
–
–
28
–
–
–
–
2,038
2,049
947
9,082
(26)
(51)
(491)
(529)
(3,768)
(240)
(16)
1,809
(53)
1,569
894
(641)
2,892
8,441
131
–
1,171
1,987
1 The newly earned entitlements are derived from the 2015 – 2018 (2017: 2014 – 2017) tranches of the Aspire program because this compensation was or is being
earned over a four-year period. They are stated at their prorated fair values in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Johannes Dietsch, Erica Mann and Dieter Weinand
earned their entitlements at an accelerated rate until they left the company on May 31, 2018, March 31, 2018, and October 31, 2018, respectively. Accordingly,
the proportion earned by Johannes Dietsch and Erica Mann in 2017 and by Dieter Weinand in 2018 is higher than for serving Board members as of December 31,
2018. The Aspire entitlements earned in 2017 and 2018 and the value changes for Liam Condon, Johannes Dietsch, Dr. Hartmut Klusik, Kemal Malik, Erica Mann
and Dieter Weinand relate in part to Aspire tranches granted to them before they joined the Board of Management but not yet fully earned.
2 This line shows the change in the value of the entitlements already earned in 2015, 2016 and 2017 (2017: 2014, 2015 and 2016).
3 €425 thousand of the entitlements earned in 2018 (2017: €1,434 thousand) and minus €344 thousand of the change in the value of existing entitlements (2017:
minus €168 thousand) pertain to entitlements against our subsidiary Bayer Consumer Care AG, Switzerland.
Provisions of €5,590 thousand (2017: €11,747 thousand) were established for the Aspire entitle-
ments of the members of the Board of Management serving as of December 31, 2018. Of this
amount, €4,695 thousand relates to the tranches issued up to 2017 and €895 thousand to the
2018 tranche.
Pension entitlements
The pension service cost recognized for the members of the Board of Management in 2018
according to the German Commercial Code was €2,745 thousand (2017: €2,546 thousand),
while the current service cost for pension entitlements recognized according to IFRS was
€3,489 thousand (2017: €3,907 thousand). The following table shows the service cost and the
settlement or present value of the pension obligations attributable to the individual members
of the Board of Management.
€ thousand
Stock-based
compensation
entitlements
earned in
the respective
year
1
Change in
the value
of existing
entitlements
Total
3
152
A Combined Management Report
4.4 Compensation Report
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Pension Entitlements (German Commercial Code and IFRS)
German Commercial Code
A 4.4.1/9
IFRS
Pension service cost
1
Settlement value of
pension obligation
2
as of December 31
Current service cost for
pension entitlements
Present value of defined
benefit pension
obligation
as of December 31
€ thousand
2017
2018
2017
2018
2017
2018
2017
2018
Serving members
of the Board of Management
as of December 31, 2018
Werner Baumann (Chairman)
Liam Condon
Dr. Hartmut Klusik
Kemal Malik
Wolfgang Nickl
Stefan Oelrich
Heiko Schipper
Former members
Johannes Dietsch
Erica Mann
Dieter Weinand
Total
809
320
305
310
–
–
–
305
257
240
874
348
331
315
133
19
178
141
204
202
9,044
2,345
5,302
2,186
–
–
–
3,951
7,492
700
11,217
1290
1,254
13,544
15,075
3,063
6,141
2,606
148
21
3,312
–
–
–
563
435
493
–
–
–
483
275
368
539
433
448
206
27
142
87
75
278
3,489
4,038
7,285
2,697
–
–
–
5,919
7,532
988
4,618
7,769
3,110
207
28
3,331
–
–
–
42,003
34,138
2,546
2,745
31,020
26,508
3,907
1 Including company contribution to Bayer-Pensionskasse VVaG, Rheinische Pensionskasse VVaG and a pension fund outside Germany
2 The pension obligations of foreign subsidiaries and Bayer pension funds are included at present value according to IFRS.
The difference between the pension service cost according to the German Commercial Code and
the service cost for pension entitlements according to IFRS arises from the difference in the valua-
tion principles used in calculating the settlement value according to the German Commercial Code
and the present value of the defined benefit pension obligation according to IFRS.
Benefits upon termination of service on the Board of Management
It was agreed with Erica Mann in December 2017 that she be granted a severance package worth
€1,978 thousand in light of the mutually agreed early termination of her service contract, effective
March 31, 2018, which originally was to run until December 31, 2018. This package primarily
comprises severance payments for fixed compensation, short-term variable compensation com-
ponents, Aspire and payments for pension entitlements, each for the period April 1, 2018, through
December 31, 2018. Erica Mann’s entitlements under the company pension plan and the Aspire
program were set at the levels they would have reached if she had been eligible to participate until
December 31, 2018. The severance payment for her fixed compensation and the short-term vari-
able compensation component, together amounting to €1,172 thousand, was paid in April 2018.
The payments from the Aspire tranches will be made upon expiration of each tranche based on
the respective Aspire program parameters. A noncompete agreement ending on December 31,
2018 existed with Erica Mann.
Johannes Dietsch concluded his service on the Board of Management as of May 31, 2018, when
his contract expired. A two-year noncompete agreement ending on May 31, 2020, exists with
Johannes Dietsch under his service contract. The resulting compensatory payment of €761 thou-
sand per year is being made to him in monthly installments.
The contract with Dieter Weinand was early terminated effective October 31, 2018, by mutual
agreement without any severance payments or compensatory payments.
The following table shows the present values of the contractually agreed compensatory
payments for members of the Board of Management resulting from noncompete agreements
as of December 31, 2018. For currently serving members of the Board of Management, it is
assumed that payments will commence when their current contracts expire. Expected inflation-
based adjustments to fixed annual compensation are taken into account in the calculation.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
153
4.4 Compensation Report
Compensatory Payments in Event of Contract Termination
€ thousand
Serving members of the Board of Management
Fixed annual
compensation 2018
End of current
contract
Present value of potential
compensatory payments
as of Dec. 31, 2018
A 4.4.1/10
Werner Baumann
Liam Condon
Dr. Hartmut Klusik
Kemal Malik
Wolfgang Nickl
Stefan Oelrich
Heiko Schipper
1,511
April 30, 2021
819
768
794
768
819
768
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2019
Jan. 31, 2022
April 25, 2021
Oct. 31, 2021
Feb. 28, 2021
3,178
1,782
1,562
1,698
1,616
1,722
1,616
Former members of the Board of Management
Johannes Dietsch
Erica Mann
1
Dieter Weinand
1
1 Noncompete agreement waived by mutual consent
Average fixed
compensation
in last 12 months
Stepped
down on
Present value of potential
compensatory payments
as of Dec. 31, 2018 Expense 2018
761
May 31, 2018
– March 31, 2018
–
Oct. 31, 2018
1,078
–
–
444
–
–
Aggregate Board of Management compensation (IFRS)
The aggregate Board of Management compensation according to IFRS is shown in the following
table.
Board of Management Compensation according to IFRS
€ thousand
Fixed annual compensation
Fringe benefits
Total short-term non-performance-related compensation
Short-term performance-related cash compensation
Total short-term compensation
Change in value of existing entitlements to stock-based compensation
(virtual Bayer shares)
Stock-based compensation (Aspire) earned in the respective year
Change in value of existing entitlements to stock-based compensation (Aspire)
Total stock-based compensation (long-term incentive)
Service cost for pension entitlements earned in the respective year
Total long-term compensation
Severance indemnity in connection with the termination of a service contract
A 4.4.1/11
2018
6,387
1,825
8,212
6,937
2017
6,148
266
6,414
4,890
11,304
15,149
538
9,082
(641)
8,979
3,907
12,886
1,978
(978)
6,660
(3,768)
1,914
3,489
5,403
–
Aggregate compensation (IFRS)
26,168
20,552
154
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4.4 Compensation Report
Bayer Annual Report 2018
4.4.2 Disclosures Pursuant to the Recommendations of the German
Corporate Governance Code
In accordance with the recommendations of the German Corporate Governance Code, the follow-
ing tables show the compensation – including fringe benefits – granted for 2018, indicating the
target values and the maximum and minimum achievable values for the variable compensation
components, along with the allocation of compensation.
A 4.4.2/1
Compensation and Benefits Granted (Part I)
Serving members of the Board of Management as of December 31, 2018
Werner Baumann
(Chairman)
Liam Condon
(Crop Science)
Dr. Hartmut Klusik
(Human Resources,
Technology & Sustainability)
Joined Jan. 1, 2010
Joined Jan. 1, 2016
Joined Jan. 1, 2016
€ thousand
Target
value
2017
Target
value
2018
Min.
2018
Max.1
2018
Target
value
2017
Target
value
2018
Fixed annual compensation
1,487
1,511
1,511
1,511
Fringe benefits
49
46
46
46
Total fixed annual compensation
1,536
1,557
1,557
1,557
806
43
849
819
45
864
Min.
2018
Max.1
2018
819
45
864
819
45
864
Target
value
2017
Target
value
2018
Min.
2018
Max.1
2018
756
40
796
768
39
807
768
39
807
768
39
807
Short-term variable cash
compensation
Long-term stock-based
compensation
(Aspire)
1,487
1,511
0
3,021
806
819
0
1,639
756
768
0
1,536
2017 (Jan. 1, 2017 – Dec. 31, 2020)
3,530
1,677
1,597
2018 (Jan. 1, 2018 – Dec. 31, 2021)
2,039
0
5,099
793
0
1,982
864
0
2,160
Total
6,553
5,107
1,557
9,677
3,332
2,476
Service cost / benefit expense (IFRS)
1,290
1,254
1,254
1,254
563
539
864
539
4,485
3,149
2,439
539
435
433
807
433
4,503
433
Total compensation
7,843
6,361
2,811 10,931
3,895
3,015
1,403
5,024
3,584
2,872
1,240
4,936
Compensation and Benefits Granted (Part II)
A 4.4.2/1 (continued)
Serving members of the Board of Management as of December 31, 2018
Kemal Malik
(Innovation)
Wolfgang Nickl
(Finance)
Stefan Oelrich
(Pharmaceuticals)
2
Joined Feb. 1, 2014
Joined April 26, 2018
Joined Nov. 1, 2018
Target
value
2017
Target
value
2018
781
36
817
794
37
831
Min.
2018
Max.1
2018
794
37
831
794
37
831
781
794
0
1,587
€ thousand
Fixed annual compensation
Fringe benefits
Total fixed annual compensation
Short-term variable cash
compensation
Long-term stock-based
compensation
(Aspire)
2017 (Jan. 1, 2017 – Dec. 31, 2020)
1,591
2018 (Jan. 1, 2018 – Dec. 31, 2021)
923
0
2,307
Total
3,189
2,548
Service cost / benefit expense (IFRS)
493
448
831
448
4,725
448
Total compensation
3,682
2,996
1,279
5,173
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Target
value
2017
Target
value
2018
Target
value
2017
Target
value
2018
Min.
2018
Max.1
2018
523
41
564
523
41
564
0
1,024
523
41
564
512
Min.
2018
Max.1
2018
137
142
279
137
142
279
0
273
137
142
279
137
1,056
2,132
206
2,338
0
2,641
564
206
770
4,229
206
4,435
973
0
2,432
1,389
279
2,984
27
27
27
1,416
306
3,011
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
155
4.4 Compensation Report
Compensation and Benefits Granted (Part III)
Serving members of the Board of Management
as of December 31, 2018
3
Heiko Schipper
(Consumer Health)
Joined Mar. 1, 2018
Min.
2018
640
1,431
2,071
Max.1
2018
640
1,431
2,071
Target
value
2018
640
1,431
2,071
640
0
1,280
1,104
3,815
142
3,957
0
2,071
142
2,213
2,760
6,111
142
6,253
Target
value
2017
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Target
value
2017
Target
value
2018
756
42
798
756
1,483
3,037
483
3,520
320
17
337
320
432
1,089
87
1,176
€ thousand
Fixed annual compensation
Fringe benefits
Total fixed annual compensation
Short-term variable cash
compensation
Long-term stock-based
compensation
(Aspire)
2017 (Jan. 1, 2017 – Dec. 31, 2020)
2018 (Jan. 1, 2018 – Dec. 31, 2021)
Total
Service cost / benefit expense (IFRS)
Total compensation
Compensation and Benefits Granted (Part IV)
Erica Mann
5
(Consumer Health)
A 4.4.2/1 (continued)
Former members
Johannes Dietsch
(Finance)
4
Stepped down
May 31, 2018
Min.
2018
320
17
337
0
Max.1
2018
320
17
337
640
0
337
87
424
1,080
2,057
87
2,144
A 4.4.2/1 (continued)
Former members
Dieter Weinand
(Pharmaceuticals)
Stepped down March 31, 2018
Stepped down October 31, 2018
€ thousand
Fixed annual compensation
Fringe benefits
Total fixed annual compensation
Short-term variable cash
compensation
Long-term stock-based
compensation (Aspire)
2017 (Jan. 1, 2017 – Dec. 31, 2020)
1,210
2018 (Jan. 1, 2018 – Dec. 31, 2021)
Total
Service cost / benefit expense (IFRS)
Total compensation
2,746
275
3,021
Target
value
2017
Target
value
2018
756
24
780
756
192
3
195
192
145
532
75
607
Min.
2018
192
3
195
192
0
387
75
462
Max.1
2018
Target
value
2017
Target
value
2018
192
3
195
192
361
748
75
823
806
32
838
806
1,932
3,576
368
3,944
683
24
707
683
1,031
2,421
278
2,699
Min.
2018
683
24
707
Max.1
2018
683
24
707
0
1,366
0
707
278
985
2,578
4,651
278
4,929
1 The maximum achievable variable compensation shown here does not yet take into account the total caps applicable (see A 4.4.1/1).
2 The fringe benefits for Stefan Oelrich contain an indemnity payment of €135 thousand for variable compensation components granted to him by his former
employer that lapsed due to his joining Bayer. The indemnity amounts to €2,424 thousand in total and will be paid over a period of three years on a pro rata
temporis basis.
3 The fringe benefits for Heiko Schipper contain an indemnity payment of €894 thousand for variable compensation components granted to him by his former
employer that lapsed due to his joining Bayer. The indemnity amounts to €1,950 thousand in total. A quarter of this amount was paid on the date he joined the
Board of Management. The remaining three-quarters will be paid over a period of three years on a pro rata temporis basis.
4 Johannes Dietsch was granted a compensatory payment of €1,522 thousand under the post-contractual noncompete agreement. This will be paid out monthly
over a period of two years on a pro rata temporis basis.
5 In December 2017, Erica Mann was also awarded a severance payment of €1,978 thousand.
156
A Combined Management Report
4.4 Compensation Report
Allocation of Compensation (Part I)
€ thousand
Fixed annual compensation
Fringe benefits
Total
Short-term variable cash compensation
for 2017
for 2018
Long-term cash compensation
(virtual Bayer shares)
2013 (Jan. 1, 2014 – Dec. 31, 2016)
2014 (Jan. 1, 2015 – Dec. 31, 2017)
Long-term stock-based cash
compensation (Aspire)
1
2013 (Jan. 1, 2013 – Dec. 31, 2016)
2014 (Jan. 1, 2014 – Dec. 31, 2017)
Total
Service cost / benefit expense
Total compensation
Allocation of Compensation (Part II)
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A 4.4.2/2
Serving members of the Board of Management as of December 31, 2018
Werner Baumann
(Chairman)
Liam Condon
(Crop Science)
Dr. Hartmut Klusik
(Human Resources,
Technology &
Sustainability)
Kemal Malik
(Innovation)
Wolfgang Nickl
(Finance)
Joined
Jan. 1, 2010
Joined
Jan. 1, 2016
Joined
Jan. 1, 2016
Joined
Feb. 1, 2014
Joined
April 26, 2018
2018
1,511
46
1,557
2017
1,487
49
1,536
1,335
2017
806
43
849
519
2018
819
45
864
2017
756
40
796
565
2018
768
39
807
2017
781
36
817
604
2018
794
37
831
2017
–
–
–
1,708
1,056
805
813
911
564
–
–
1,037
1,125
–
760
959
4,741
1,290
6,031
513
2,445
563
3,008
72
4,374
1,254
5,628
44
3,089
539
3,628
312
1,673
435
2,108
26
1,638
433
2,071
303
1,724
493
2,217
27
2,431
448
2,879
Serving members
of the Board of Management
as of December 31, 2018
A 4.4.2/2 (continued)
Former members
Stefan Oelrich
(Pharmaceuticals)
Heiko Schipper
(Consumer Health)
2
Johannes Dietsch
(Finance)
3
Erica Mann
(Consumer Health)
4
Dieter Weinand
(Pharmaceuticals)
Joined
Nov. 1, 2018
Joined
March 1, 2018
Stepped down
May 31, 2018
Stepped down
March 31, 2018
Stepped down
October 31, 2018
2017
2018
2017
2018
2017
2018
€ thousand
Fixed annual compensation
Fringe benefits
Total
Short-term variable cash compensation
for 2017
for 2018
Long-term cash compensation
(virtual Bayer shares)
2013 (Jan. 1, 2014 – Dec. 31, 2016)
2014 (Jan. 1, 2015 – Dec. 31, 2017)
Long-term stock-based cash
compensation (Aspire)
2013 (Jan. 1, 2013 – Dec. 31, 2016)
1
2014 (Jan. 1, 2014 – Dec. 31, 2017)
Total
Service cost / benefit expense
Total compensation
2017
2018
2017
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
137
8
145
133
–
–
278
27
305
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
2018
640
538
1,178
639
756
42
798
679
756
24
780
378
320
17
337
346
192
3
195
192
–
–
–
276
–
–
1,817
142
1,959
279
1,756
483
2,239
21
980
87
1,067
1,596
2,754
275
3,029
106
493
75
568
1,648
368
2,016
33
1,414
278
1,692
1 The payments in 2017 to Johannes Dietsch, Liam Condon, Dr. Hartmut Klusik, Kemal Malik and Erica Mann from the 2013 Aspire tranche related to vesting
periods that in some cases were before they joined the Board of Management. The payments in 2018 to Johannes Dietsch, Liam Condon, Dr. Hartmut Klusik,
Kemal Malik, Erica Mann and Dieter Weinand from the 2014 Aspire tranche related to vesting periods that in some cases were before they joined the Board of
Management. The tranches of these members were not yet fully vested at the dates on which they joined the Board of Management.
2 The fringe benefits for Heiko Schipper contain compensation of €495 thousand for variable compensation granted to him by his former employer that lapsed due
to his joining Bayer.
3 In 2018, after stepping down from the Board of Management, Johannes Dietsch also received a total compensatory payment of €444 thousand and a normal
accelerated payment of €560 thousand in connection with the long-term cash compensation based on virtual Bayer shares for 2015 (Jan. 1, 2016 – Dec. 31,
2018).
4 In 2018, Erica Mann also received a severance payment of €1,686 thousand, a payment of €3,825 thousand to settle pension entitlements in the United States,
and current pension payments.
2018
523
41
564
571
–
–
1,135
206
1,341
–
–
–
–
–
–
683
24
707
674
–
806
32
838
810
–
–
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
157
4.4 Compensation Report
4.4.3 Development of Board of Management Compensation Relative
to Employee Compensation and the Financial Performance of
the Company
9
The European Shareholder Rights Directive requires a comparative presentation of the annual
change in Board of Management compensation, the financial performance of the company and
the average compensation of employees (based on full-time equivalents) over the past five years.
The following overview shows the development of the compensation earned by the individual
members of the Board of Management in the respective fiscal year according to IFRS in relation
to selected financial performance indicators used by the Bayer Group. The total earned compen-
sation may be impacted, for example, by changes in the number of Board of Management mem-
bers or overlaps between joining and departing Board members, as well as one-time effects of
fringe benefits. The financial performance indicators are impacted in particular by the divestment
of Covestro and its presentation as a discontinued operation in 2017, and by the acquisition of
Monsanto in 2018.
Compensation Earned by the Board of Management in Relation to Company’s Financial Performance
€ thousand
2014 Change %
2015 Change %
2016 Change %
2017 Change %
2018
A 4.4.3/1
Compensation earned (€ thousand)
Serving members of the Board of Management as of December 31, 2018
Werner Baumann
4,680
– 0.2
4,671
+ 3.1
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
2,849
+ 15.2
3,283
– 26.8
–
–
–
–
–
–
8,389
1,003
3,217
–
2,096
–
22,234
– 1.7
+ 319.4
+ 37.0
–
–
–
–
–
–
8,243
3,204
4,407
–
–
–
–
–
–
– 11.3
– 24.2
–
–
–
–
+ 7.1
23,808
+ 15.8
4,818
2,475
2,709
2,402
–
–
–
7,311
2,429
–
+ 19.1
+ 16.5
– 5.0
+ 17.1
–
–
–
–
5,740
2,883
2,573
2,812
–
–
–
–
– 27.2
– 27.1
– 22.1
– 37.6
–
–
–
–
4,180
2,103
2,004
1,754
1,446
467
2,983
–
+ 65.9
4,030
– 51.8
1,941
.
–
–
2,701
+ 93.3
5,220
– 91.5
446
–
2,730
27,575
–
+6.6
– 5.1
–
2,910
26,168
–
+ 10.9
– 21.5
3,228
20,552
Former members of the Board of Management
Liam Condon
Dr. Hartmut Klusik
Kemal Malik
Wolfgang Nickl
Stefan Oelrich
Heiko Schipper
Marijn Dekkers
1
Johannes Dietsch
Michael König
1
Erica Mann
1
Prof. Dr.
Wolfgang Plischke
Dieter Weinand
Total
Financial KPIs
2
EBITDA
before special items
(€ million)
Core EPS (€)
Sales (€ million)
3
8,812
6.02
42,239
+ 16.5
+ 13.5
+ 2.7
10,266
6.83
46,324
+ 10.1
11,302
+ 7.2
+ 3.5
7.32
46,769
– 17.8
– 7.9
+ 1.5
9,288
6.74
35,015
+ 2.8
– 11.9
+ 4.5
9,547
5.94
39,586
1 These amounts contain severance payments for Marijn Dekkers in 2016, Michael König in 2015 and Erica Mann in 2017.
2 Reporting is based on the financial KPIs initially published for the respective year and their development without regard to any subsequent restatements thereof.
3 The change in sales on a currency- and portfolio-adjusted basis is reported as a key indicator for corporate management.
The following overview shows the development of the target cash compensation of the Board of
Management in relation to the compensation of all employees in Germany and that of nonmanage-
rial employees under collective bargaining agreements in Germany. This is calculated based on
contractually agreed target entitlements – in accordance with the German Corporate Governance
Code – with regard to fixed compensation, the annual bonus and the four-year stock-based com-
pensation (where the respective employee groups are eligible to participate). For nonmanagerial
employees in Germany, the 13th monthly salary and the contractually agreed vacation bonus were
9 Information pursuant to the requirements of the ARUG II draft legislation
158
A Combined Management Report
4.4 Compensation Report
Bayer Annual Report 2018
taken into account. Variable compensation components for both the Board of Management and
the other employee groups were based on the assumption of 100% target attainment. Expendi-
tures for fringe benefits (such as home security equipment, indemnity payments for lapsed variable
compensation components granted by former employers) were not taken into account due to their
irregular nature. Expenditures for pensions were also disregarded in view of the interest sensitivity
of the expenses. The aim of this approach is to enhance comparability in the development of
compensation.
A 4.4.3/2
Development of Average Target Cash Compensation
1 of the Board of Management and Employees
€
2014 Change %
2015 Change %
2016 Change %
2017 Change %
2018
Board of Management
2,969,385
+0.8 2,993,141
+1.9 3,050,000
+0.8 3,074,400
+1.6 3,123,600
All employees
2 in Germany
3
85,658
+4.3
89,361
+9.7
98,004
+3.7
101,662
+2.6
104,336
Nonmanagerial employees
in Germany
3
59,967
+2.7
61,613
+3.5
63,749
+2.8
65,512
+3.2
67,628
1 Fixed annual compensation, STI and LTI (not taking into account individual STI payout factor), excluding pensions and fringe benefits; Calculated on the basis of
full-time equivalents (FTEs)
2 Excluding the Board of Management
3 Excluding the employees of Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH and of the Currenta Group
The relative changes in average target cash compensation can be influenced by a range of factors and can vary both over time and across the Board of
Management, the overall workforce and nonmanagerial employees. This includes changes in the composition of the workforce, various salary adjustments within
and outside of collective bargaining agreements, the integration and carving out of business entities, or measures relating to HR policy. The 9.7% increase in the
average target cash compensation of all employees in 2016 compared with 2015 was mainly attributable to the carve-out of Covestro, a change in workforce
structure, and an increase in the proportion of managerial employees.
In 2018, the ratio between the average compensation of a Board of Management member and
that of all employees in Germany stood at of 30:1, while the ratio between the average compensa-
tion of a Board member and that of nonmanagerial employees in Germany was 46:1. For the
Chairman of the Board of Management, the ratios were 51:1 in relation to all employees and 78:1
in relation to nonmanagerial employees in Germany.
4.4.4 Compensation of the Supervisory Board
The Supervisory Board is compensated based on the relevant provisions of the Articles of
Incorporation as last amended at the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting on April 28, 2017.
The members of the Supervisory Board receive fixed annual compensation of €132 thousand
(2017: €132 thousand) plus reimbursement of their expenses.
In accordance with the recommendations of the German Corporate Governance Code, additional
compensation is paid to the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Supervisory Board and for chair-
ing and membership of committees. The Chairman of the Supervisory Board receives fixed annual
compensation of €396 thousand (2017: €396 thousand), the Vice Chairman €264 thousand
(2017: €264 thousand). These amounts also cover membership and chairmanship of committees.
The other members receive additional compensation for committee membership. The chairman of
the Audit Committee receives an additional €132 thousand (2017: €132 thousand) and the other
members of the Audit Committee €66 thousand (2017: €66 thousand) each. The chairmen of the
remaining committees receive €66 thousand (2017: €66 thousand) each and the other members
of those committees €33 thousand (2017: €33 thousand) each. As before, no additional compen-
sation is paid for membership of the Nominations Committee. A Supervisory Board member who
is a member of more than two committees receives compensation only for the two committees
with the highest compensation. If changes are made to the Supervisory Board and / or its commit-
tees during the year, members receive compensation on a prorated basis. As in the past, the
members of the Supervisory Board also receive an attendance fee of €1 thousand each time they
personally attend a meeting of the Supervisory Board or a committee. The attendance fee is lim-
ited to €1 thousand per day.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
159
4.4 Compensation Report
The members of the Supervisory Board have given a voluntary pledge that they will each
purchase Bayer shares for 25% of their pretax fixed compensation, including any additional
compensation for committee membership, and hold these shares for as long as they remain
members of the Supervisory Board. This does not apply to members who are prevented from
purchasing shares due to a service or employment contract with a company or who transfer
at least 85% of their fixed compensation to the Hans Böckler Foundation in accordance with the
rules of the German Trade Union Confederation or whose service or employment contract with
a company requires them to transfer such compensation to that company. If less than 85% of the
fixed compensation is transferred, the voluntary pledge applies to the portion not transferred.
The obligation to purchase Bayer shares was adjusted in 2017 and now only applies for the first
five years of membership of the Supervisory Board; these shares must then be held until mem-
bership of the Supervisory Board ceases. Bayer shares acquired prior to 2017 in connection with
the voluntary pledge are taken into account for this purpose. By voluntarily pledging to invest in
and hold Bayer shares, the Supervisory Board members reinforce their interest in the long-term,
sustainable success of the company.
Compensation of the Supervisory Board in 2018
The following table shows the components of each Supervisory Board member’s compensation
for 2018.
Compensation of the Members of the Supervisory Board of Bayer AG in 2018
€ thousand
Members of the Supervisory Board serving
as of December 31, 2018
Dr. Paul Achleitner
Dr. Simone Bagel-Trah
Dr. Norbert W. Bischofberger
André van Broich
Thomas Ebeling
Dr. Thomas Elsner
Johanna W. (Hanneke) Faber
Colleen A. Goggins
Heike Hausfeld
Reiner Hoffmann
Frank Löllgen
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Plischke
Petra Reinbold-Knape
Detlef Rennings
Sabine Schaab
Michael Schmidt-Kießling
Werner Wenning (Chairman)
Prof. Dr. Otmar D. Wiestler
Prof. Dr. Norbert Winkeljohann
1
Oliver Zühlke (Vice Chairman)
Fixed compensation
Attendance fee
2017
2018
2017
2018
2017
192
128
92
170
128
134
128
90
112
128
192
256
192
76
36
128
384
160
–
256
198
132
165
198
132
198
132
132
165
132
198
264
198
132
165
132
396
165
160
264
5
3
3
6
4
7
4
3
4
2
8
8
4
3
3
5
10
6
–
8
6
5
5
7
3
10
4
4
7
4
10
10
6
6
6
6
11
5
5
9
197
131
95
176
132
141
132
93
116
130
200
264
196
79
39
133
394
166
–
264
A 4.4.4/1
Total
2018
204
137
170
205
135
208
136
136
172
136
208
274
204
138
171
138
407
170
165
273
160
A Combined Management Report
4.4 Compensation Report
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A 4.4.4/1 (continued)
Compensation of the Members of the Supervisory Board of Bayer AG in 2018
€ thousand
Members who left the Supervisory Board in 2017 and 2018
Dr. Clemens Börsig
2
Dr. Thomas Fischer
2
Yüksel Karaaslan
3
Petra Kronen
4
Sue H. Rataj
2
Dr. Klaus Sturany
5
Heinz Georg Webers
2
Total
1 Member of the Supervisory Board since May 25, 2018
2 Member of the Supervisory Board until April 28, 2017
3 Member of the Supervisory Board until June 4, 2017
4 Member of the Supervisory Board until September 30, 2017
5 Member of the Supervisory Board until May 25, 2018
Fixed compensation
Attendance fee
2017
2018
2017
2018
2017
39
58
65
105
39
256
39
–
–
–
–
–
105
–
2
4
2
3
2
9
2
–
–
–
–
–
5
–
41
62
67
108
41
265
41
Total
2018
–
–
–
–
–
110
–
3,583
3,763
120
134
3,703
3,897
In addition to their compensation as members of the Supervisory Board, those employee repre-
sentatives who are employees of Bayer Group companies receive compensation unrelated to
their service on the Supervisory Board. The total amount of such compensation in 2018 was
€757 thousand (2017: €767 thousand), including fixed and variable compensation components.
Pension obligations to all employee representatives on the Supervisory Board amounted to
€4,072 thousand (2017: €3,941 thousand).
No compensation was paid or benefits granted to members of the Supervisory Board for person-
ally performed services such as consultancy or agency services. The company has purchased
insurance for the members of the Supervisory Board to cover their personal liability arising from
their service on the Supervisory Board.
4.4.5 Further Information
Advances or loans to members of the Board of Management or Supervisory
Board
There were no advances or loans to members of the Board of Management or the Supervisory
Board outstanding as of December 31, 2018, nor at any time during 2018 or 2017.
Pension payments to former members of the Board of Management or their
surviving dependents
We currently pay retired members of the Board of Management a monthly pension equal to a
maximum of 80% of the fixed compensation received immediately prior to retirement. The pen-
sions paid to former members of the Board of Management or their surviving dependents are
reassessed annually and adjusted, taking into account the development of consumer prices.
The pensions paid to former members of the Board of Management or their surviving dependents
in 2018 totaled €17,183 thousand (2017: €12,758 thousand). These benefits are paid in addition
to any amounts they receive under previous employee pension arrangements. The present
value of the defined benefit pension obligation for former members of the Board of Management
and their surviving dependents according to IFRS amounted to €185,736 thousand (2017:
€184,479 thousand), while the settlement value of the pension obligation according to the Ger-
man Commercial Code amounted to €161,427 thousand (2017: €153,388 thousand).
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
161
4.5 Takeover-Relevant Information
See also
www.bayer.com/
ownership-structure
4.5 Takeover-Relevant Information
Explanatory report pursuant to Sections 289a, Paragraph 1 and
315a, Paragraph 1 of the German Commercial Code (HGB)
The capital stock of Bayer AG amounted to €2,387,333,027.84 as of December 31, 2018,
(December 31, 2017: €2,116,986,388.48), divided into 932,551,964 no-par registered shares
(December 31, 2017: 826,947,808). Each share confers one voting right. A small number of
shares may be subject to temporary trading restrictions, such as retention periods, in connection
with employee stock participation programs. We received no notifications in 2018 of direct or
indirect holdings of shares in Bayer AG that exceed 10% of the capital stock. The company thus
is not in possession of any notifications of holdings that exceed 10% of the capital stock.
The appointment and dismissal of members of the Board of Management are subject to the pro-
visions of Sections 84 and 85 of the German Stock Corporation Act, Section 31 of the German
Codetermination Act and Section 6 of the company’s Articles of Incorporation. Pursuant to
Section 84, Paragraph 1 of the German Stock Corporation Act, the members of the Board of
Management are appointed and dismissed by the Supervisory Board. Since Bayer AG falls within
the scope of the German Codetermination Act, the appointment or dismissal of members of the
Board of Management requires a majority of two thirds of the votes of the members of the
Supervisory Board on the first ballot pursuant to Section 31, Paragraph 2 of that act. If no such
majority is achieved, the appointment is resolved pursuant to Section 31, Paragraph 3 of the
Codetermination Act on a second ballot by a simple majority of the votes of the members of the
Supervisory Board. If the required majority still is not achieved, a third ballot is held. Here again,
a simple majority of the votes suffices, but in this ballot the Chairman of the Supervisory Board
has two votes pursuant to Section 31, Paragraph 4 of the Codetermination Act. Under Section 6,
Paragraph 1 of the Articles of Incorporation of Bayer AG, the number of members of the Board of
Management is determined by the Supervisory Board but must be at least two. The Supervisory
Board may appoint one member of the Board of Management to be the Chairman of the Board
of Management pursuant to Section 84, Paragraph 2 of the German Stock Corporation Act and
Section 6, Paragraph 1 of the Articles of Incorporation.
Any amendments to the Articles of Incorporation are made pursuant to Section 179 of the
German Stock Corporation Act and Sections 10 and 17 of the Articles of Incorporation. Under
Section 179, Paragraph 1 of the German Stock Corporation Act, amendments to the Articles of
Incorporation require a resolution of the Stockholders’ Meeting. Pursuant to Section 179,
Paragraph 2 of the German Stock Corporation Act, this resolution must be passed by a majority
of three quarters of the voting capital represented at the meeting, unless the Articles of
Incorporation provide for a different majority. However, where an amendment relates to a change
in the object of the company, the Articles of Incorporation may only specify a larger majority.
Section 17, Paragraph 2 of the Articles of Incorporation of Bayer AG utilizes the scope for devia-
tion pursuant to Section 179, Paragraph 2 of the German Stock Corporation Act and provides
that resolutions may be passed by a simple majority of the votes cast or, where a capital majority
is required, by a simple majority of the capital represented. Pursuant to Section 10, Paragraph 9
of the Articles of Incorporation, the Supervisory Board may resolve on amendments to the
Articles of Incorporation that relate solely to their wording.
Provisions of the Articles of Incorporation concerning Authorized Capital I and Authorized Capital
II are entered in the commercial register of Bayer AG. With the approval of the Supervisory Board
and until April 28, 2019, the Board of Management may use the Authorized Capital I to increase
the capital stock by up to a total of €530 million. New shares may be issued against cash contri-
butions and / or contributions in kind, but capital increases against contributions in kind may
not exceed a total of €423 million. If the Authorized Capital I is used to issue shares in return for
cash contributions, stockholders must normally be granted subscription rights. The Board of
Management may only exclude stockholders’ subscription rights to a volume of shares issued
out of the Authorized Capital I that did not represent more than 20% of the existing capital stock
at the time the respective resolution was adopted by the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting on April
29, 2014. Absent a further resolution on the exclusion of stockholders’ subscription rights, the
Board of Management also may only exclude stockholders’ subscription rights to a volume of
162
A Combined Management Report
4.5 Takeover-Relevant Information
Bayer Annual Report 2018
shares issued under other authorizations regarding capital measures (Authorized Capital II,
bonds with warrants or convertible notes, purchase and disposal of own shares) that did not
represent more than 20% of the existing capital stock at the time the respective resolution
was adopted by the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting on April 29, 2014. In 2018, the Board of
Management used €190,986,639.36 from the Authorized Capital I to issue 74,604,156 new
shares, with subscription rights granted to existing shareholders. The Authorized Capital I
amounted to €339,013,360.64 as of December 31, 2018.
With the approval of the Supervisory Board and until April 28, 2019, the Board of Management
is authorized to increase the capital stock by up to €211,698,560 in one or more installments
by issuing shares out of the Authorized Capital II against cash contributions. The stockholders
must normally be granted subscription rights. However, the Board of Management is author-
ized, with the approval of the Supervisory Board, to exclude subscription rights for stockholders
provided the volume of shares issued out of the Authorized Capital II against cash contributions
does not exceed 10% of the capital stock existing at the time this authorization is registered or
at the time the new shares are issued and the issue price of the new shares is not significantly
below the market price of the already listed shares. In 2018, the Board of Management used
€79,360,000 from the Authorized Capital II to issue 31 million new shares, excluding subscrip-
tion rights for existing shareholders. The Authorized Capital II amounted to €132,338,560 as of
December 31, 2018.
Conditional capital of €211,698,560 exists in connection with an authorization – valid through April
28, 2019 – to issue bonds with warrants or convertible notes, profit-sharing rights or profit partici-
pation bonds (collectively referred to as “bonds”) with a total face value of €6 billion, €4 billion of
which has already been used for mandatory convertible notes. The Board of Management may,
with the consent of the Supervisory Board and under certain conditions, exclude the bond sub-
scription rights that would otherwise be granted to stockholders. One of the conditions is that the
total volume of shares required to service the bonds exceed neither 10% of the capital stock that
existed at the time the respective resolution was adopted by the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting on
April 29, 2014, nor 10% of the capital stock existing at the time this authorization is exercised.
Any other shares issued without granting subscription rights to the stockholders in direct or anal-
ogous application of Section 186, Paragraph 3, Sentence 4 of the German Stock Corporation Act
shall be credited against this 10% limit.
Further, by resolution of the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting on April 29, 2014, the Board of
Management is authorized to purchase and dispose of own shares representing up to 10% of the
capital stock existing at the time the resolution was adopted. The authorization to purchase own
shares also includes the purchase of own shares using put or call options (derivatives) up to a
volume of 5% of the capital stock existing at the time the resolution was adopted or at the time
the authorization is exercised. This authorization also expires on April 28, 2019.
A material agreement that is subject to the condition precedent of a change of control pertains to
the undrawn €4.5 billion syndicated credit facility arranged by Bayer AG and its U.S. subsidiary
Bayer Corporation. This facility is available until December 2025. The participating banks are enti-
tled to terminate the credit facility in the event of a change of control at Bayer and demand re-
payment of any loans that may have been granted under this facility up to that time.
A similar clause is also contained in the agreement on a syndicated credit facility in the original
amount of US$56.9 billion granted to Bayer US Finance II LLC and Bayer AG in September 2016
to finance the acquisition of Monsanto (the “Monsanto credit facility”). Pursuant to the agreement,
the Monsanto credit facility was reduced in 2016 by the US$4.2 billion net proceeds from the
issuance of mandatory convertible notes, to US$52.7 billion, and in June 2017 by the
US$1.2 billion net proceeds from the issuance of an exchangeable bond, to US$51.5 billion. The
mandatory convertible notes were issued by Bayer Capital Corporation B.V., guaranteed by
Bayer AG and mature in November 2019. The terms on which holders may convert the notes into
shares before the maturity date are more favorable in the event of a change of control than they
would be otherwise. The exchangeable bond was issued by Bayer AG and matures in 2020, and
Bayer AG can flexibly exchange bonds for cash, Covestro AG shares or a combination of the two.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A Combined Management Report
163
4.5 Takeover-Relevant Information
Holders of these notes have the right to demand the redemption of unexchanged notes by
Bayer AG in the event of a change of control if Bayer AG’s credit rating is downgraded within 120
days after such change of control becomes effective.
The Monsanto credit facility was drawn in June 2018 to finance the acquisition of Monsanto.
The resulting loan had a value of US$4.9 billion as of December 31, 2018. The Monsanto credit
facility and the loan were reduced in 2018 through the proceeds from the aforementioned capital
increases, a further reduction of Bayer’s interest in Covestro AG, a series of divestments to
fulfill antitrust requirements, a bond with a nominal volume of €5 billion issued by Bayer Capital
Corporation B.V. and guaranteed by Bayer AG, and a US$15 billion bond in 144A / RegS format
issued by Bayer US Finance II LLC and guaranteed by Bayer AG. Both bonds have largely the
same terms in the event of a change of control as the aforementioned exchangeable bond,
although the period for a potential deterioration of Bayer AG’s credit rating is only 60 days in the
case of the US$15 billion bond.
The terms of the nominal €1.5 billion (as of December 31, 2018) in notes issued by Bayer in the
years 2013 to 2017 under its existing Debt Issuance Programme also contain a corresponding
change-of-control clause associated with a deterioration of the credit rating within 120 days. The
terms of the US$7 billion bond in 144A / Reg S format issued in October 2014 also contain a
clause to this effect. The outstanding amount of this bond as of December 31, 2018, was
US$4.6 billion.
Agreements exist for the members of the Board of Management in compliance with Section 4.2.3
of the German Corporate Governance Code to cover the eventuality of a takeover offer being
made for Bayer AG. Under these agreements, payments promised in the event of early termination
of the service contract of a Board of Management member due to a change of control are limited
to the value of three years’ compensation and may not compensate more than the remaining term
of the contract.
164
A Combined Management Report
4.6 CSR Directive Implementation Act: Index to Nonfinancial Statement
Bayer Annual Report 2018
4.6 CSR Directive Implementation Act:
Index to Nonfinancial Statement
CSR Directive Implementation Act
1: Index to Nonfinancial Statement
Business model
We present our business model within the meaning of the German
Commercial Code (HGB), Section 289c and Section 315c in Chapter A 1.1
Corporate Profile and Structure.
Page
23-27
A 4.6/1
Page
28, 30-31
66-70, 71-74
65-66
76-77
77-83
31
62-65
Page
31
52, 56-59
59-60
74-76
31
62-65
Page
31
32-36
61
65-66
69
76-77
77
Page
Aspects
Bayer area of activity
Concept:
Management approaches, Group targets,
measures, results, due diligence processes;
nonfinancial key data
Environmental aspects
Chapter
Resource efficiency;
environmental protection
(emissions into air,
water, soil);
safety;
product stewardship
A 1.2.1 Group Strategy and Targets
A 1.6.1 Product Stewardship
A 1.6
Safety for People and the Environment -
Introduction
A 1.6.2 Safety: plant and transportation safety
A 1.6.3 Environmental Protection
Supplier management
Supplier management
A 1.2.1 Targets and Key Performance Indicators
Procurement and Supplier Management
A 1.5
Employee-related
aspects
Chapter
Employee relations and
developments;
safety;
human rights
A 1.2.1 Targets and Key Performance Indicators
A 1.4.1 Employees
A 1.4.2 Human Rights
A 1.6.2 Safety: occupational health and safety
Supplier management
Supplier management
A 1.2.1 Targets and Key Performance Indicators
Procurement and Supplier Management
A 1.5
Social aspects
Chapter
Stakeholder engagement
and partnerships;
societal engagement;
product stewardship;
safety
Bribery and corruption
Instruments for
combating corruption
and bribery
Business ethics
Supplier management
Supplier management
A 1.2.1 Targets and Key Performance Indicators
A 1.2.3 Sustainability Management
A 1.4.3 Societal Engagement
A 1.6
Safety for People and the Environment -
Introduction
A 1.6.1 Product Stewardship
A 1.6.2 Safety: plant and transportation safety
A 1.6.3 Environmental Protection
Chapter
A 1.2.1 Targets and Key Performance Indicators
A 1.4.2 Human Rights
A 4.2
Compliance
31
59-60
136-140
A 1.2.1 Targets and Key Performance Indicators
Procurement and Supplier Management
A 1.5
31
62-65
Respect for
human rights
Chapter
Employee relations and
developments (fair
working conditions);
human rights;
supplier management
A 1.2.1 Targets and Key Performance Indicators
A 1.4.1 Employees
A 1.4.2 Human Rights
A 1.5
Procurement and Supplier Management
Page
31
55-56, 58-59
59-61
62-65
Material risks
In chapters
A 3.2.1 Group-wide Opportunity and Risk Management System,
A 3.2.2 Opportunity and Risk Status and B 29 Legal Risks,
we report on material risks that arise through our business activity, business
relationships, products and services
Page
122, 124
125, 130-131, 248-253
Diversity concept
We present our diversity concept for the Board of Management and Supervisory
Board in Chapter A 4.1 Declaration by Corporate Management, and for Group
employees in general in Chapter A 1.4.1 Employees
Page
134-136
58-59
1 Sections 289b to e HGB, sections 315b and c HGB; additional information on the nonfinancial statement of Bayer AG in accordance with
sections 289b to e HGB is given in Chapter A 1.7
Bayer Annual Report 2018
B Consolidated Financial Statements
165
Bayer Group Consolidated Income Statements
Consolidated
Financial Statements
Bayer Group Consolidated
Income Statements
€ million
Net sales
Cost of goods sold
Gross profit
Selling expenses
Research and development expenses
General administration expenses
Other operating income
Other operating expenses
EBIT
1
Equity-method income (loss)
Financial income
Financial expenses
Financial result
Income before income taxes
Income taxes
Income from continuing operations after income taxes
of which attributable to noncontrolling interest
of which attributable to Bayer AG stockholders
Income from discontinued operations after income taxes
of which attributable to noncontrolling interest
of which attributable to Bayer AG stockholders
Income after income taxes
of which attributable to noncontrolling interest
of which attributable to Bayer AG stockholders (net income)
€
Earnings per share
From continuing operations
Basic
Diluted
From discontinued operations
Basic
Diluted
From continuing and discontinued operations
Basic
Diluted
B 1
Note
2017
2018
[6]
35,015
39,586
(11,382)
(17,010)
23,633
22,576
(11,116)
(12,751)
[7]
[8]
[10.1]
[10]
[11]
[5.3]
[12]
[13]
[13]
[13]
[13]
(4,504)
(2,026)
864
(948)
5,903
20
289
(1,635)
(1,326)
4,577
(1,329)
3,248
(1)
3,249
4,846
759
4,087
8,094
758
7,336
3.67
3.67
4.62
4.62
8.29
8.29
(5,246)
(2,728)
5,057
(2,994)
3,914
68
910
(2,574)
(1,596)
2,318
(607)
1,711
16
1,695
–
–
–
1,711
16
1,695
1.80
1.80
0.00
0.00
1.80
1.80
2017 figures restated
1 For definition see Combined Management Report, Chapter 2.4 “Alternative Performance Measures Used by the Bayer Group.”
166
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Bayer Group Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Bayer Group Consolidated
Statements of Comprehensive
Income
€ million
Income after income taxes
of which attributable to noncontrolling interest
of which attributable to Bayer AG stockholders
Remeasurements of the net defined benefit liability
for post-employment benefit plans
Income taxes
Other comprehensive income from remeasurements of the
net defined benefit liability for post-employment benefit plans
Change in the fair value of own credit risk component of financial liabilities
measured at fair value
Income taxes
Other comprehensive income relating to own credit risk component of
financial liabilities measured at fair value
Other comprehensive income from equity instruments measured at fair value
Other comprehensive income relating to associates accounted for using the
equity method
Other comprehensive income that will not be reclassified subsequently
to profit or loss
Note
[12]
[22]
[11]
[11]
Changes in fair values of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges
[27.3]
Reclassified to profit or loss
Income taxes
Other comprehensive income from cash flow hedges
Changes in fair values of available-for-sale financial assets
Reclassified to profit or loss
Income taxes
Other comprehensive income from available-for-sale financial assets
Changes in exchange differences recognized on translation
of operations outside the eurozone
Reclassified to profit or loss
Other comprehensive income from exchange differences
Other comprehensive income relating to associates accounted for using the
equity method
Other comprehensive income that may be reclassified subsequently to
profit or loss
[11]
[17]
[11]
Total other comprehensive income
1
of which attributable to noncontrolling interest
of which attributable to Bayer AG stockholders
Total comprehensive income
of which attributable to noncontrolling interest
of which attributable to Bayer AG stockholders
1 Other comprehensive income is recognized outside profit or loss in equity.
B 2
2018
1,711
16
1,695
(612)
129
2017
8,094
758
7,336
1,236
(515)
721
(483)
–
–
–
–
(44)
677
(144)
3
53
(88)
(3)
(2)
3
(2)
(6)
2
(4)
46
19
(422)
125
124
(80)
169
–
–
–
–
(2,152)
–
(2,152)
1,008
118
1,126
101
1
(2,141)
(1,464)
(106)
(1,358)
6,630
652
5,978
1,296
874
(8)
882
2,585
8
2,577
Bayer Annual Report 2018
B Consolidated Financial Statements
167
Bayer Group Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
Bayer Group Consolidated
Statements of Financial Position
€ million
Noncurrent assets
Goodwill
Other intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investments accounted for using the equity method
Other financial assets
Other receivables
Deferred taxes
Current assets
Inventories
Trade accounts receivable
Other financial assets
Other receivables
Claims for income tax refunds
Cash and cash equivalents
Assets held for sale
Total assets
Equity
Capital stock
Capital reserves
Other reserves
Equity attributable to Bayer AG stockholders
Equity attributable to noncontrolling interest
Noncurrent liabilities
Provisions for pensions and other post-employment benefits
Other provisions
Refund liabilities
Contract liabilities
Financial liabilities
Income tax liabilities
Other liabilities
Deferred taxes
Current liabilities
Other provisions
Refund liabilities
Contract liabilities
Financial liabilities
Trade accounts payable
Income tax liabilities
Other liabilities
Liabilities directly related to assets held for sale
Total equity and liabilities
B 3
Note
Dec. 31,
2017
Dec. 31,
2018
[14]
[14]
[15]
[16]
[17]
[20]
[11]
[18]
[19]
[17]
[20]
[5.3]
[21]
[22]
[23]
[6]
[6]
[24]
[26]
[11]
[23]
[6]
[6]
[24]
[25]
[26]
[5.3]
14,751
11,674
7,633
4,007
1,634
400
4,915
45,014
6,550
8,582
3,529
1,276
474
7,581
2,081
38,146
36,746
12,944
515
2,212
511
4,278
95,352
10,961
11,836
1,166
1,875
809
4,052
234
30,073
75,087
30,933
126,285
2,117
9,658
25,026
36,801
60
2,387
18,388
25,202
45,977
171
36,861
46,148
8,020
1,366
–
–
8,717
3,347
167
986
12,483
37,712
495
1,116
1,153
24,633
4,344
–
–
1,935
5,129
422
1,652
111
1,415
349
4,621
57,314
3,686
3,622
3,235
3,682
5,414
1,050
2,122
12
13,593
75,087
22,823
126,285
168
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Bayer Group Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Bayer Group Consolidated
Statements of Changes in Equity
B 4
Capital stock
Capital
reserves
Retained
earnings
incl. net
income
Fair-value
measurement
of equity
1
instruments
Exchange
differences
2,117
9,658
18,393
45
81
(2,233)
2,727
628
7,336
(1,915)
2,117
9,658
26,851
(1,870)
(43)
86
17
98
(17)
2,117
9,658
26,894
(1,870)
81
270
8,730
2,387
18,388
(2,402)
1
(478)
24
1,695
25,734
1,134
61
(20)
(736)
122
€ million
Dec. 31, 2016
Equity transactions with owners
Capital increase
Dividend payments
Other changes
Other comprehensive income
Income after income taxes
Dec. 31, 2017
Adjustments on adoption of IFRS 9
(after tax)
Adjustments on adoption of IFRS 15
(after tax)
Jan. 1, 2018, adjusted
Equity transactions with owners
Capital increase
Dividend payments
Other changes
Other comprehensive income
Miscellaneous other changes
Income after income taxes
Dec. 31, 2018
1 2017: fair-value measurement of securities
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Bayer Group Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
B Consolidated Financial Statements
169
Cash flow
hedges
Other
2
reserves
Equity
attributable
to Bayer AG
stockholders
Equity
attributable
to non-
controlling
interest
22
17
30,333
1,564
(88)
(66)
(4)
13
(131)
(2,025)
(106)
758
60
(2,233)
2,723
(1,358)
7,336
36,801
(60)
86
B 4 (continued)
Equity
31,897
(2,364)
698
(1,464)
8,094
36,861
(60)
86
(66)
13
36,827
60
36,887
9,000
(2,402)
1
882
(26)
1,695
45,977
(5)
(53)
(8)
161
16
171
9,000
(2,407)
(52)
874
135
1,711
46,148
169
(26)
77
(4)
(4)
5
€ million
Dec. 31, 2016
Equity transactions with owners
Capital increase
Dividend payments
Other changes
Other comprehensive income
Income after income taxes
Dec. 31, 2017
Adjustments on adoption of IFRS 9
(after tax)
Adjustments on adoption of IFRS 15
(after tax)
Jan. 1, 2018, adjusted
Equity transactions with owners
Capital increase
Dividend payments
Other changes
Other comprehensive income
Miscellaneous other changes
Income after income taxes
Dec. 31, 2018
2 Other reserves comprise reserves for changes in the company’s own credit risk (minus €4 million) and for remeasurements
(€9 million; 2017: €13 million).
170
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Bayer Group Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Bayer Group Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows
€ million
Income from continuing operations after income taxes
Note
Income taxes
Financial result
Income taxes paid
Depreciation, amortization and impairments
Change in pension provisions
(Gains) losses on retirements of noncurrent assets
Decrease (increase) in inventories
Decrease (increase) in trade accounts receivable
(Decrease) increase in trade accounts payable
Changes in other working capital, other noncash items
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from continuing operations
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities from discontinued operations
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
Cash outflows for additions to property, plant, equipment and intangible assets
Cash inflows from sales of property, plant, equipment and other assets
Cash inflows from divestments
Cash inflows from (outflows for) noncurrent financial assets
Cash outflows for acquisitions less acquired cash
Interest and dividends received
Cash inflows from (outflows for) current financial assets
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
Capital contributions
Proceeds from shares of Covestro AG
Dividend payments
Issuances of debt
Retirements of debt
Interest paid including interest-rate swaps
Interest received from interest-rate swaps
Cash outflows for the purchase of additional interests in subsidiaries
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents due to business activities
[30]
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Change in cash and cash equivalents due to changes in scope of consolidation
Change in cash and cash equivalents due to exchange rate movements
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
B 5
2018
1,711
607
1,596
(2,143)
6,352
(322)
(4,247)
615
2,476
(44)
1,316
7,917
–
7,917
(2,593)
230
7,563
2,879
(45,316)
247
2,838
2017
3,248
1,329
1,326
(1,821)
2,660
(227)
(133)
(293)
(18)
265
275
6,611
1,523
8,134
(2,366)
241
453
(313)
(158)
168
1,543
(432)
(34,152)
–
8,986
3,717
(2,364)
–
(2,407)
10,369
65,090
(12,848)
(47,271)
(801)
(1,331)
69
(23)
412
(47)
(1,881)
23,432
5,821
1,899
–
(139)
7,581
(2,803)
7,435
1
(581)
4,052
The difference in cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of 2018 and the end of 2017 is due to the first-time application of IFRS 9.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Bayer Group
B Consolidated Financial Statements
171
Notes to the Consolidated Financial
Statements of the Bayer Group
1. General information
The consolidated financial statements of the Bayer Group as of December 31, 2018, were prepared by
Bayer Aktiengesellschaft (Bayer AG) according to the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)
issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), London, United Kingdom, in effect at the
end of the reporting period, and the interpretations of the IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRS IC) as
endorsed by the European Union. The applicable further requirements of Section 315e of the German
Commercial Code were also taken into account.
Bayer AG (which is entered in the commercial register of the Local Court of Cologne, Germany, HRB
48248) is a global enterprise based in Germany. Its registered office is at Kaiser-Wilhelm-Allee 1, 51368
Leverkusen. The material business activities of the Bayer Group in the fields of health care and agriculture
took place in the reporting period in the Pharmaceuticals, Consumer Health, Crop Science and Animal
Health segments. The activities of each segment are outlined in Note [4].
The declarations required under Section 161 of the German Stock Corporation Act concerning the German
Corporate Governance Code have been issued and made available to stockholders.
The Board of Management of Bayer AG prepared the consolidated financial statements of the Bayer Group
on February 19, 2019. They were discussed by the Audit Committee of the Supervisory Board of Bayer AG
at its meeting on February 25, 2019, and approved by the Supervisory Board at its plenary meeting on
February 26, 2019.
The consolidated financial statements of the Bayer Group are drawn up in euros. Except where otherwise
indicated, amounts are stated in millions of euros (€ million) and rounded to the nearest million. Adding the
individual figures may therefore not always result in the exact total given.
2. Effects of new financial reporting standards
Financial reporting standards applied for the first time in 2018
Details of the new standards whose first-time application has a material impact on the Group’s financial
position and results of operations are given below.
IFRS 9 (Financial Instruments) and IFRS 15 (Revenue from Contracts with Customers) were applied for
the first time as of January 1, 2018. The effects resulting from their first-time application are described in
this section.
IFRS 9 is the new standard for accounting for financial instruments. It replaces IAS 39 (Financial
Instruments: Recognition and Measurement). Bayer applied IFRS 9 in modified form retrospectively for the
first time as of January 1, 2018, without restating the prior-year figures, accounting for the aggregate
amount of any transition effects by way of an adjustment to equity and presenting the comparative period
in line with previous rules. It replaces the previous rules under IAS 39 (Financial Instruments: Recognition
and Measurement).
The declaration
issued in De-
cember 2018
concerning the
German Corpo-
rate Governance
Code is pub-
lished on the
Bayer website
along with
previous decla-
rations:
www.bayer.
com/en/
corporate-
governance.aspx
172
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Bayer Group
Bayer Annual Report 2018
The effects that the first-time application of IFRS 9 and IFRS 15 had on retained earnings and the fair value
measurement of securities / equity instruments are detailed in the following tables:
Retained Earnings Reconciliation: IFRS 9 and IFRS 15
€ million
Retained earnings incl. net income as of December 31, 2017
Effects of IFRS 9
Effects of IFRS 15
Retained earnings incl. net income as of January 1, 2018
Reconciliation of Fair-Value Measurement of Equity Instruments
€ million
Fair-value measurement of securities as of December 31, 2017
Reclassifications to retained earnings
Remeasurement due to change in measurement category
Deferred taxes
Fair-value measurement of equity instruments as of January 1, 2018
B 2/1
26,851
(43)
86
26,894
B 2/2
98
(37)
11
9
81
IFRS 9 introduces new provisions for the classification and measurement of financial assets and replaces
the current rules on the impairment of financial assets. The new standard requires a change in accounting
methods for the effects resulting from a change in the company’s own credit risk for financial liabilities
classified at fair value and modifies the requirements for hedge accounting. The classification and meas-
urement of financial liabilities are otherwise largely unchanged from the existing regulations.
Under IFRS 9, the classification and measurement of financial assets is determined by the company’s
business model and the characteristics of the cash flows of each financial asset. In the case of equity in-
struments held as of January 1, 2018, that are not held for trading, Bayer has uniformly opted to recognize
future changes in their fair value through other comprehensive income in the statement of comprehensive
income and to continue to classify these as equity upon the derecognition of the financial instrument. As
for new instruments, Bayer can opt to make use of this option on an instrument-by-instrument basis upon
recognition, but it must continue to do so thereafter. The 6.8% interest in Covestro acquired from Bayer
Pension Trust at the beginning of May 2018 to service the exchangeable bond maturing in 2020 is recog-
nized at fair value through profit or loss.
As of the date of first-time application, reclassifications primarily resulted from the characteristics of the
cash flows from fund shares, investments in limited partnerships, and the loan capital and jouissance right
capital (Genussrechtkapital) provided to Bayer Pensionskasse VVaG. These financial instruments were
previously reported in the category “available for sale,” with changes in their fair value recognized in other
comprehensive income in the statement of comprehensive income. They are now classified as debt in-
struments, and changes in their fair values are recognized through profit or loss.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Bayer Group
B Consolidated Financial Statements
173
Changes in the classification and measurement of financial assets led to the following effects as of the date
of first-time application:
B 2/3
Financial Assets Reconciliation from IAS 39 to IFRS 9
€ million
Carrying
amount
Dec. 31, 2017
(IAS 39)
Effect due to
change in
measurement
category
Effect of the
expected
loss model
Carrying
amount
Jan. 1, 2018
(IFRS 9)
Reclassi-
fication
Measurement category
2
(IFRS 9)
Measurement category
(IAS 39)
1
Trade accounts receivable
LaR
Other financial assets
LaR
AfS – debt instruments
HtM
AfS – equity instruments at
amortized cost
AfS – equity instruments
AfS – equity instruments
AfS – debt instruments
Derivatives
Other receivables
LaR
AfS – debt instruments
Cash and cash equivalents
LaR
Total financial assets
8,582
1,731
34
57
35
191
39
2,429
647
380
46
145
7,581
21,752
(145)
0
11
11
(93)
8,489
1,731
34
57
46
191
AC
AC
AC
AC
FVTOCI (no recycling)
FVTOCI (no recycling)
39
FVTPL (debt instruments)
2,574
647
376
46
7,435
21,665
(4)
(1)
(98)
1 AfS: available for sale; at fair value through other comprehensive income
HtM: held to maturity; at amortized cost
LaR: loans and receivables; at amortized cost
2 AC: at amortized cost
FVTOCI: at fair value through other comprehensive income
FVTPL: at fair value through profit or loss
There were no effects on financial liabilities.
The following table shows the effects of the first-time application of IFRS 9 on retained earnings and other
comprehensive income in the statement of comprehensive income, broken down by measurement category:
Effects of First-Time Application of IFRS 9 on Retained Earnings and Other Comprehensive Income
Measurement category
1
(IFRS 9)
Retained earnings effect as
of Jan. 1, 2018
OCI effect as of
Jan. 1, 2018
FVTPL
Derivatives
AC
FVTPL
AC
B 2/4
€ million
Measurement category
(IAS 39)
1
Trade accounts receivable
LaR
Other financial assets
AC
AfS – equity instruments at amortized cost
FVTOCI (no recycling)
AfS – equity instruments
AfS – debt instruments
Other receivables
LaR
AfS – debt instruments
Cash and cash equivalents
LaR
Total financial assets
1 See table B 2/3 for definition of measurement categories.
FVTPL (debt instruments)
FVTPL
AC
FVTPL
AC
(93)
10
36
(4)
(9)
(1)
(61)
11
(10)
(36)
9
(26)
174
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Bayer Group
Bayer Annual Report 2018
The following table shows the effects of the first-time application of IFRS 9 on financial assets and liabilities
measured at fair value using unobservable inputs (Level 3). The development of these assets and liabilities
in 2018 is presented in Table B 27.1/2.
Reconciliation of Financial Assets Measured at Fair Value (Level 3) from IAS 39 to IFRS 9
B 2/5
€ million
Measurement category
(IAS 39)1
Other financial assets
AfS – equity instruments
at amortized cost
AfS – equity instruments
AfS – equity instruments
AfS – debt instruments
Derivatives
Other receivables
AfS – debt instruments
Total financial assets
Carrying
amount
Dec. 31, 2017
(IAS 39)
Reclassi-
fication due to
change in fair
value hierarchy
Remeasure-
ment due to
change in
measurement
category
Carrying
amount
Jan. 1, 2018
(IFRS 9)
18
18
757
10
46
849
35
4
11
39
11
46
22
18
757
10
46
899
Measurement category
1
(IFRS 9)
FVTOCI (no recycling)
FVTOCI (no recycling)
FVTPL (debt instruments)
FVTPL
Derivatives
FVTPL
1 See table B 2/3 for definition of measurement categories.
The effects of the increase in loss allowances resulting from the first-time application of the new impair-
ment model are presented in the following table1:
B 2/6
Reconciliation of Loss Allowances
€ million
Measurement category
(IAS 39)
1
Trade accounts receivable
LaR
Other receivables
LaR
Cash and cash equivalents
LaR
Total
Closing loss
allowances
Dec. 31, 2017
(IAS 39)
Effect of the
expected credit
loss model
(IFRS 9)
Opening loss
allowances
Jan 1, 2018
(IFRS 9)
Measurement category
1
(IFRS 9)
(425)
(3)
(428)
(93)
(4)
(1)
(98)
(518)
(7)
(1)
(526)
AC
AC
AC
1 See table B 2/3 for definition of measurement categories.
Changes in the fair values of financial liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss resulting from
Bayer’s own credit risk are now recognized through other comprehensive income in the statement of com-
prehensive income rather than in the income statement. At Bayer, this change principally affects the debt
instruments (exchangeable bonds) issued in June 2017, which also can be exchanged into Covestro
shares. As of the transition date, this accounting change did not have any material effects.
For hedge accounting, Bayer has opted to prospectively apply IFRS 9 from January 1, 2018. If only the
intrinsic value of an option is designated as a hedging instrument in a hedging relationship, IFRS 9 requires
1 For the calculation of impairments see “Financial assets” in Chapter 3 “Basic principles, methods and critical accounting estimates.”
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Bayer Group
B Consolidated Financial Statements
175
that changes in the fair value of the time value of options during the hedging period initially be recognized
as other comprehensive income in the statement of comprehensive income. The release of the accumulat-
ed amounts, either in the form of a basis adjustment or directly through profit or loss, depends on the type
of hedged transaction. In contrast to the other rules on hedge accounting, the revised accounting method
is to be applied retrospectively. As of the transition date, these changes did not have any material impact
on the presentation of the Group’s financial position and results of operations.
In October 2017, the IASB published an amendment to IFRS 9 (Financial Instruments) under the title
“Prepayment Features with Negative Compensation.” It also published a clarification regarding the
accounting for a modification of a financial liability that does not result in its derecognition. For these non-
substantial modifications, modification gains or losses – including the costs of the modification – must be
immediately recognized in profit or loss. This amendment to IFRS 9 is to be applied for annual periods
beginning on or after January 1, 2018. As there were no past nonsubstantial modifications of liabilities, this
amendment did not have any impact on the presentation of the Group’s financial position and results of
operations. A bond exchange program constituting a nonsubstantial modification was initiated in June
2018 for the Monsanto bonds acquired as part of the Monsanto acquisition. In this connection, expenses
of €13 million were recognized in profit or loss in the second quarter of 2018.
IFRS 15 has led to the introduction of a five-step model for revenue recognition from contracts with cus-
tomers. Under the standard, revenue is recognized at amounts that reflect the consideration that an entity
expects to be entitled to in exchange for transferring goods or services to a customer. Revenue is recog-
nized when (or as) control of goods or services has been transferred to a customer either over time or at a
point in time. In addition, IFRS 15 clarifies the allocation of individual topics to (new) line items in the
statement of financial position and to functional cost items in the income statement, and whether gross or
net amounts are to be presented.
As of January 1, 2018, Bayer transitioned to IFRS 15 on the basis of the modified retrospective method,
accounting for the aggregate amount of the transition effects by way of an adjustment to retained earnings
as of January 1, 2018, and presenting the comparative period in line with previous rules. Bayer has elected
to retrospectively apply the standard only to contracts that are not completed contracts at the date of first-
time application and has opted to reflect the aggregate effect of all contract modifications that occurred
prior to the date of first-time application in accordance with IFRS 15.C7A(b).
The adoption of IFRS 15 has led to the following effects:
Changes in the timing of recognition
// IFRS 15 requires catch-up adjustments to revenue when milestone payments for right-to-access
licenses become unconstrained, leading to earlier revenue recognition. This change resulted in an
increase in retained earnings by €64 million after deferred taxes and a decrease in contract liabilities
(under IAS 18, amounts were presented as deferred income in other liabilities) by €86 million as of
January 1, 2018. For the Pharmaceuticals segment, the introduction of IFRS 15 translates into a
€10 million decrease in net sales in 2018, resulting in a €4 million decrease in deferred tax expense in
2018 compared with IAS 18.
// IFRS 15 in conjunction with IAS 38 (Intangible Assets) generally requires the recognition of the purchase
price related to a brand divestment net of associated carrying amounts in other operating income or
expenses upon transfer of control. Some cases were identified where the purchase price was deferred
under former policy in line with IAS 18, but would have been recognized in income earlier under IFRS 15,
leading to a €21 million increase in retained earnings after deferred taxes and a €27 million decrease in
contract liabilities (under IAS 18, amounts were presented as deferred income in other liabilities) on the
date of transition. For the Pharmaceuticals and Animal Health segments, the introduction of IFRS 15
translates into a combined €40 million decrease in net sales in 2018, resulting in a €7 million decrease in
deferred tax expense in 2018 compared with IAS 18.
176
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Bayer Group
Bayer Annual Report 2018
// Including the effects described individually, the change in the timing of revenue recognition led to a
€28 million decrease in net income in 2018 as compared to revenue recognition under IAS 18. These
earnings effects pertain to the Bayer Group prior to the first-time consolidation of the former Monsanto
Group, whose financial information for the reference periods was prepared according to U.S. accounting
standards and therefore does not permit an appropriate comparison with net sales as determined
according to IAS 18.
Presentational changes
Bayer has also changed the presentation of certain items in the statement of financial position and the
income statement to reflect the methodology of IFRS 15.
// IFRS 15 changes the presentation of expected product returns within the statement of financial position
from net to gross in cases where returns are expected to be resalable and Bayer will refund the
purchase price. The right-of-return asset is reflected in inventories at the former carrying amount less
expected costs to recover and potential impairment. The refund liabilities resulting from the gross
presentation include amounts expected to be refunded upon product return. Prior to the adoption of
IFRS 15, Bayer presented the margin of expected returns on a net basis in “other provisions.” In the
statement of cash flows, the increase in inventories to be recorded under IFRS 15 is set against a
decline in “other working capital, other noncash items.”
// Amounts already received (or receivable) but expected to be refunded to the customer are presented as
“refund liabilities” under IFRS 15. These amounts typically relate to expected volume rebates and
expected product returns and were previously presented as “other provisions.”
// Advance payments received (or receivable) in connection with product deliveries were previously
recognized in trade accounts payable. Advance payments received (or receivable) relating to right-to-
access licenses and service contracts recognized over time were previously presented under “deferred
income” in “other liabilities.” With the introduction of IFRS 15, both are presented as contract liabilities.
Within the statement of cash flows, the decline in trade accounts payable resulting from the
presentational change is set against a corresponding change in “other working capital, other noncash
items.”
The effects of applying the modified retrospective method on the opening statement of financial position as
of January 1, 2018, are shown in table B 2/7.
IFRS 15 Accounting Changes: Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of January 1, 2018
€ million
Deferred taxes
Inventories
Other reserves
Other provisions (noncurrent)
Refund liabilities (noncurrent)
Contract liabilities (noncurrent)
Other liabilities (noncurrent)
Deferred taxes
Other provisions (current)
Refund liabilities (current)
Contract liabilities (current)
Trade accounts payable
Other liabilities (current)
Dec. 31, 2017
Before
accounting
changes
Presentational
changes
Changes in
timing of
recognition
4,915
6,550
25,026
1,366
–
–
1,116
1,153
4,344
–
–
5,129
1,652
76
(152)
152
905
(905)
(2,197)
2,275
740
(561)
(181)
(5)
86
(78)
24
(37)
B 2/7
Jan. 1, 2018
After
accounting
changes
4,910
6,626
25,112
1,214
152
827
211
1,177
2,147
2,275
703
4,568
1,471
The impact of the transition from IAS 18 to IFRS 15 on the consolidated statement of financial position as
of December 31, 2018, which includes the former Monsanto Group, is presented in table B 2/8.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Bayer Group
B Consolidated Financial Statements
177
Reconciliation IFRS 15 to IAS 18 for Presentational Changes:
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of December 31, 2018
B 2/8
€ million
Inventories
Other provisions (noncurrent)
Refund liabilities (noncurrent)
Contract liabilities (noncurrent)
Other liabilities (noncurrent)
Other provisions (current)
Refund liabilities (current)
Contract liabilities (current)
Trade accounts payable
Other liabilities (current)
IFRS 15
December 31,
2018
Presentational
changes
IAS 18
December 31,
2018
10,961
(85)
10,876
3,347
167
986
349
3,686
3,622
3,235
5,414
2,122
167
(167)
(986)
852
3,537
(3,622)
(3,235)
3,159
210
3,514
–
–
1,201
7,223
–
–
8,573
2,332
In addition to IFRS 9 and IFRS 15, the following changes were applied as of January 1, 2018, but did not
have any material impact on the Group’s financial position and results of operations.
Amendments to standards with no material impact
Amendments to standards / interpretations
IFRS 2
IFRS 9
IAS 40
Amendment “Classification and Measurement of Share-based Payment Transactions”
Amendment “Applying IFRS 9 Financial Instruments with IFRS 4 Insurance Contracts”
Amendment “Transfers of Investment Property”
IFRIC 22
Foreign Currency Transactions and Advance Consideration
Annual Improvements to IFRS Standards 2014 – 2016 Cycle
B 2/9
Mandatory application
Jan. 1, 2018
Jan. 1, 2018
Jan. 1, 2018
Jan. 1, 2018
Jan. 1, 2018
Published financial reporting standards that have not yet been applied
The IASB and the IFRS Interpretations Committee have issued the following standards, amendments to
standards and interpretations whose application was not yet mandatory for the 2018 fiscal year or for
which the European Union had not yet completed the endorsement process. The following IFRS and inter-
pretations have not yet been applied by Bayer:
B 2/10
Published financial reporting standards that have not yet been applied
Amendments to standards / interpretations
Mandatory
application
Anticipated effects
IFRS 3
IFRS 9
IFRS 16
IFRS 17
Amendment to IFRS 3 Business Combinations
Jan. 1, 2020 Effects currently being evaluated
Prepayment Features with Negative Compensation
Jan. 1, 2019
No material effects expected
Leases
Insurance Contracts
Jan. 1, 2019
See following explanations
Jan. 1, 2021 Effects currently being evaluated
IAS 1, IAS 8 Amendments to IAS 1 and IAS 8: Definition of Material
Jan.1, 2020 Effects currently being evaluated
IAS 19
IAS 28
Amendments to IAS 19 (Employee Benefits):
Plan Amendments, Curtailments or Settlements
Jan. 1, 2019
No material effects expected
Long-term Interests in Associates and Joint Ventures
Jan. 1, 2019
No material effects expected
IFRIC 23
Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments
Jan. 1, 2019
No material effects expected
Annual Improvements to IFRS Standards 2015 – 2017 Cycle
Jan. 1, 2019
No material effects expected
Amendments to References to the Conceptual Framework in
IFRS Standards
Jan. 1, 2020 Effects currently being evaluated
178
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Bayer Group
Bayer Annual Report 2018
The information below pertains only to future amendments to accounting standards whose foreseeable
effects – if any – could be material to the Bayer Group’s financial position or results of operations.
In January 2016, the IASB published the new standard for lease accounting, IFRS 16 (Leases), which
replaces the rules contained in IAS 17 (Leases) along with the associated interpretations. The new stand-
ard is to be applied for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019. The standard introduces a
single lessee accounting model, requiring lessees to recognize right-of-use assets for granted rights of
use and corresponding lease liabilities. It eliminates the previous requirement for lessees to differentiate
between operating leases – without recognizing the respective assets or liabilities – and finance leases.
However, IFRS 16 contains the option of exercising exemptions for the recognition of short-term leases
and those pertaining to low-value assets. As under the previous standard, IAS 17, lessors still have to
differentiate between operating and finance leases. According to IFRS 16, subleases are classified with
reference to the right-of-use asset arising from the sublease in relation to the head lease.
Bayer will apply IFRS 16 for the first time as of January 1, 2019, retrospectively without restating the prior-
year figures. In this connection, various options and practical expedients can be applied as of the transition
date for lease agreements in which a Bayer company is the lessee. On the date of first-time application, no
additional assessment will be undertaken with regard to whether a contract represents or contains a leas-
ing relationship. For contracts previously classified as operating leases, Bayer will measure the lease liabili-
ties as of the date of first-time application of IFRS 16 at the present value of the outstanding lease pay-
ments, using as the discount rate the respective incremental borrowing rate as of that date. On the date of
first-time application, the right-of-use asset will generally be measured at the amount of the lease liability,
adjusted by the amounts of any prepaid or accrued lease payments and / or provisions for onerous leases
recognized in the statement of financial position as of December 31, 2018. Initial direct costs will not be
taken into account in the measurement of the right-of-use asset as of the date of first-time application. The
current state of knowledge as of the date of first-time application will be taken into account when discre-
tionary decisions are made.
Bayer will exercise the option of exempting intangible assets from the scope of application of IFRS 16 and
will apply the exemptions for short-term leases to certain leases ending in 2019. It will also apply this ex-
emption for short-term leases beginning after December 31, 2018.
The first-time application of IFRS 16 as of January 1, 2019, is anticipated to result in the recognition of
additional lease liabilities of approximately €900 million to €1,200 million. Net financial debt will increase
accordingly as a result of the significant increase in lease liabilities. Right-of-use assets will increase in line
with the lease liabilities, taking into account adjustments resulting from the first-time application of
IFRS 16.
In the statement of comprehensive income, Bayer will cease recognizing expenses for operating leases in
operating income and will instead recognize the depreciation of the right-of-use assets and the interest
expense for the lease liabilities under IFRS 16. An analogous effect will occur in the statement of cash
flows, where IFRS 16 will have a positive effect on the operating cash flow by reducing cash outflows for
operating activities, while the repayment component of lease payments and the interest expense will be
recognized in the financing cash flow.
Change in accounting methods
In connection with the planned acquisition of Monsanto and in preparation for the future combined busi-
ness, the structure of the Crop Science segment was adjusted as of January 1, 2018, in line with the inter-
nal financial reporting system (management approach). In the new structure, all the strategic business
entities are organizationally located directly below the operating and reportable Crop Science segment.
Global impairment testing of goodwill will also be carried out at the Crop Science segment level each year
in the future.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Bayer Group
B Consolidated Financial Statements
179
3. Basic principles, methods and critical
accounting estimates
In the income statement and statement of comprehensive income, statement of financial position, state-
ment of cash flows and statement of changes in equity, certain items are combined for the sake of clarity.
These are explained in the Notes. The income statement was prepared using the cost-of-sales method.
Assets and liabilities are classified by maturity. They are regarded as current if they mature within one year
or within the normal business cycle of the company or the Group, or are held for sale. The normal business
cycle is defined for this purpose as beginning with the procurement of the resources necessary for the
production process and ending with the receipt of cash or cash equivalents as consideration for the sale of
the goods or services produced in that process. Inventories and trade accounts receivable and payable are
always presented as current items. Deferred tax assets and liabilities and pension provisions are always
presented as noncurrent items.
The financial statements of the consolidated companies are prepared according to uniform accounting
policies and measurement principles. The consolidated financial statements of the Group are based on the
principle of the historical cost of acquisition, construction or production, with the exception of the items
reflected at fair value, such as equity instruments held, debt instruments held that do not solely comprise
principal and interest payments, and derivatives and liabilities designated at fair value through profit or
loss.
In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the management has to make certain assumptions and
estimates that may substantially impact the presentation of the Group’s financial position and / or results of
operations. Such estimates, assumptions or the exercise of discretion mainly relate to the useful life of
noncurrent assets, the discounted cash flows used for impairment testing and purchase price allocations,
and the recognition of provisions, including those for litigation-related expenses, pensions and other bene-
fits, taxes, environmental compliance and remediation costs, product liability and guarantees, as well as
the recognition of refund liabilities. Essential estimates and assumptions that may affect reporting in the
various item categories of the financial statements are described in the following sections of this Note.
Estimates are based on historical experience and other assumptions that are considered reasonable under
given circumstances. They are continually reviewed but may vary from the actual values.
Changes in accounting policies or measurement principles in light of new or revised standards are general-
ly applied in line with the options permitted within the respective standard. Depending on the option that
Bayer makes use of, the income statement for the previous year and the opening statement of financial
position for that year are adjusted where necessary. For detailed information on standards to be applied for
the first time from January 1, 2018, please see Note [2].
Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include subsidiaries, joint operations, joint ventures and associates.
The financial statements of the individual consolidated companies are prepared as of the closing date of
the Group financial statements.
Subsidiaries are companies over which Bayer AG is currently able to exercise power by virtue of existing
rights. Power means the ability to direct the relevant activities that significantly affect a company’s profita-
bility. Control is therefore only deemed to exist if Bayer AG is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns
from its involvement with a company and has the ability to use its power over that company to affect the
amount of that company’s returns. The ability to control another company generally derives from Bayer
AG’s direct or indirect ownership of a majority of the voting rights. In the case of structured entities, how-
ever, control is based on contractual agreements. Inclusion of an entity’s accounts in the consolidated
financial statements begins when the Bayer Group is able to exercise control over the entity and ceases
when it is no longer able to do so.
180
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Bayer Group
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Joint operations and joint ventures are based on joint arrangements. A joint arrangement is deemed to
exist if the Bayer Group through a contractual agreement jointly controls an entity’s activities with a third
party. Joint control is only deemed to exist if decisions regarding the relevant activities require the unani-
mous consent of the parties sharing control. A joint operation is a joint arrangement whereby the parties
that have joint control of the arrangement have rights to the assets, and obligations for the liabilities, relat-
ing to the arrangement. The Bayer Group recognizes the share of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses
relating to its interest in a joint operation in accordance with its rights and obligations. A joint venture is a
joint arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control of the arrangement have rights to the net
assets of the arrangement. Joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method.
Associates are companies over which Bayer AG exerts significant influence, generally through an owner-
ship interest between 20% and 50%. They also are accounted for using the equity method. The carrying
amounts of a company accounted for using the equity method is adjusted annually by the percentage of
any change in its equity corresponding to Bayer’s percentage interest in the company. Differences arising
upon first-time inclusion using the equity method are accounted for according to full-consolidation princi-
ples. Bayer’s share of changes – recognized in profit or loss – in these companies’ equity and impairment
losses recognized on goodwill are reflected in equity-method income / loss. Gains and losses from the sale
of investments accounted for using the equity method are recognized in financial income or expenses,
respectively, within income from investments in affiliated companies.
Interests in subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates that do not have a material impact on the Group’s
financial position or results of operations, either individually or in aggregate, are not consolidated but rec-
ognized as financial investments in equity instruments.
Foreign currency translation
The financial statements of the individual companies for inclusion in the consolidated financial statements
are prepared in their respective functional currencies. A company’s functional currency is that of the eco-
nomic environment in which it primarily generates and expends cash. The majority of consolidated compa-
nies carry out their activities autonomously from a financial, economic and organizational point of view, and
their functional currencies are therefore the respective local currencies.
In the consolidated financial statements, the assets and liabilities of companies that do not use the euro
as their functional currency at the start and end of the year are translated into euros at closing rates. All
changes occurring during the year and all income and expense items and cash flows are translated into
euros at average monthly rates. Equity components are translated at the historical exchange rates pre-
vailing at the respective dates of their first-time recognition in Group equity. The exchange differences
arising between the resulting amounts and those obtained by translating at closing rates are recognized
outside profit or loss as “Exchange differences on translation of operations outside the eurozone” (in
other comprehensive income) or presented as “Exchange differences” in the tables in the Notes. When a
company is deconsolidated or the net investment in a foreign operation is reduced, such exchange differ-
ences are reclassified from equity to profit or loss and recognized in the financial result. The exchange
rates for major currencies against the euro varied as follows:
Exchange Rates for Major Currencies
Closing rate
Average rate
BRL
CAD
Brazil
Canada
2017
2018
2017
2018
3.98
4.44
3.59
4.29
1.51
1.56
1.46
1.53
CNY
China
7.81
7.87
7.61
7.80
GBP
U.K.
0.89
0.89
0.88
0.88
JPY
Japan
135.01
125.87
126.39
130.38
RUB
USD
Russia
U.S.A.
69.41
79.76
65.71
73.87
1.20
1.15
1.13
1.18
B 3/1
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Bayer Group
B Consolidated Financial Statements
181
Since July 1, 2018, IAS 29 (Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies) has been applied for Bayer
S.A., Argentina. On the date of first-time application, the adjustment of the carrying amounts of nonmone-
tary assets and liabilities was recognized in equity based on the general price index. Gains and losses
incurred from the current hyperinflation of nonmonetary assets and liabilities and of equity are recognized
in the income statement as other operating income and expenses. Both the adjustment in equity and the
effects of the ongoing application of IAS 29 have so far been immaterial for the Group.
In previous years and up until September 30, 2018, the rules of IAS 29 were also applied for Bayer S.A.,
Venezuela. This company was deconsolidated as of September 30, 2018, leading to a currency translation
loss of €132 million in the financial result.
Foreign currency measurement
In the separate financial statements of the individual consolidated companies, monetary items, such as
receivables and liabilities, that are denominated in currencies other than the respective functional currency
are measured at closing rates. Related exchange differences are recognized as exchange gains or losses
under other financial income or expenses.
Net sales and other operating income
All revenues derived from the selling of products, rendering of services or from licensing agreements are
recognized as sales. This is done on the basis of customer contracts and the performance obligations
contained therein, which are individually identified and presented separately for the purpose of revenue
recognition. Other operational revenues are recognized as other operating income. Revenues are recog-
nized through profit or loss when or as soon as the entity transfers control of goods or services to a cus-
tomer either over time or at a point in time. Control lies with the customer if the customer can inde-
pendently determine the use of and consume the benefit derived from a product or service. Revenues from
product deliveries are recognized at a point in time based on an overall assessment of the existence of a
right to payment, the allocation of ownership rights, the transfer of physical possession, the transfer of
risks and rewards, and acceptance by the customer. In the case of product deliveries undertaken by the
Bayer Group, the transfer of risks and rewards and the right to determine the product shipment destination
are particularly important. Revenues from services, on the other hand, are recognized over the period of
time when services are rendered and in accordance with a reasonable measure of progress.
Net sales are limited to the amount the Bayer Group expects to receive for the fulfillment of performance
obligations. Payment components to be withheld for third parties are deducted. Sales are therefore re-
duced by sales taxes and by actual and expected sales deductions resulting from rebates, discounts and
bonuses. Sales deductions are estimated primarily on the basis of historical experience, specific contrac-
tual terms and future expectations of sales development. Amounts for rebates, which are reported sepa-
rately as refund liabilities, amounted to 8.3% of total net sales in 2018 (2017: 6.1%). Furthermore, sales
are reduced by the amount of the provisions for expected returns of defective goods or of saleable prod-
ucts that may be returned under contractual arrangements. The net sales are reduced on the date of sale
or on the date when the amount of future product returns can be reasonably estimated. The refund liabili-
ties for product returns in 2018 amounted to 1.2% of total net sales (2017: 0.6%). The right-of-return as-
sets are reflected in inventories at the former carrying amount less any recovery and processing costs and
potential impairment. For unilaterally fulfilled customer contracts where more than one year passes be-
tween performance and payment, significant financing components are accounted for separately based on
their present values and the subsequent unwinding of the discount. The underlying discount rate takes into
account the individual credit risk of the contracting party that receives the financing.
Some of the Bayer Group’s revenues are generated on the basis of licensing agreements under which
third parties have been granted the right-to-use or the right-to-access products and technologies. A
right-to-use license is characterized by the underlying technology remaining essentially unchanged over
the period for which the rights are granted. With a right-to-access license, by contrast, the customer’s
interest is directed toward the consistent further development of that intellectual property (IP). Revenues
from right-to-use licenses are recognized at a specific point in time, while those from right-to-access
licences are recognized over time according to the underlying measure of progress. Milestone payments
related to right-to-access licenses are allocated to satisfied and unsatisfied portions of the underlying
182
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Bayer Group
Bayer Annual Report 2018
performance obligation, as applicable. Consideration relating to already satisfied obligations is recognized
as catch-up adjustments to revenue. Payment elements still to be earned are deferred as contract liabili-
ties. Sales- or usage-based royalties agreed in connection with outlicensing arrangements are only rec-
ognized if the sale or the usage is sufficiently verified and the underlying performance obligation has been
fulfilled.
Income may also arise from the exchange of assets. The amount recognized is generally based on the fair
value of the asset received plus (less) any cash received (disbursed).
Research and development expenses
For accounting purposes, research expenses are defined as costs incurred for current or planned investi-
gations undertaken with the prospect of gaining new scientific or technical knowledge and understanding.
Development expenses are defined as costs incurred for the application of research findings or specialist
knowledge to plans or designs for the production, provision or development of new or substantially im-
proved products, services or processes, respectively, prior to the commencement of commercial produc-
tion or use. Research and development (R&D) expenses are incurred in the Bayer Group for in-house R&D
activities as well as numerous research and development collaborations and alliances with third parties.
R&D expenses mainly comprise the costs for active ingredient discovery, clinical studies, research and
development activities in the areas of application technology and engineering, field trials, regulatory ap-
provals and approval extensions.
Research costs cannot be capitalized. The conditions for capitalization of development costs are closely
defined: a key precondition for recognition of an intangible asset is that it is sufficiently certain that the
development activity will generate future cash flows that will cover the associated development costs.
Since our own development projects are often subject to regulatory approval procedures and other uncer-
tainties, the conditions for the capitalization of costs incurred before receipt of approvals are not normally
satisfied. In the case of R&D collaborations, a distinction is generally made between payments on contract
signature, upfront payments, milestone payments and cost reimbursements for work performed. If an in-
tangible asset (such as the right to the use of an active ingredient) is acquired in connection with any of
these payment obligations, the respective payment is capitalized even if it is uncertain whether further
development work will ultimately lead to the production of a saleable product. Reimbursements of the cost
of R&D work are recognized in profit or loss, except where they are required to be capitalized.
Income taxes
Income taxes comprise the taxes levied on taxable income in the individual countries along with changes in
deferred tax assets and liabilities that are recognized in profit or loss. The income taxes recognized are
reflected at the amounts likely to be payable under the statutory regulations in force, or already enacted in
relation to future periods, at the end of the reporting period. Complex tax regulations may give rise to un-
certainties with respect to their interpretation and the amounts and timing of future taxable income. Given
the wide range of international business relationships and the long-term nature and complexity of existing
contractual agreements, differences arising between the actual results and the assumptions made, or
future changes to such assumptions, could necessitate adjustments to tax income and expense in future
periods. The Group establishes provisions for taxes, based on reasonable estimates, for liabilities to the
tax authorities of the respective countries that are uncertain as to their amount and the probability of their
occurrence. The amount of such provisions is based on various factors, such as experience with previous
tax audits and differing legal interpretations by the taxable entity and the responsible tax authority.
In compliance with IAS 12 (Income Taxes), deferred taxes are recognized for temporary differences be-
tween the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the statement of financial position prepared accord-
ing to IFRS and their tax bases. Deferred taxes are also recognized for consolidation measures and for loss
carryforwards, interest carryforwards and tax credits that are likely to be usable. Deferred tax assets relat-
ing to deductible temporary differences, tax credits, loss carryforwards and interest carryforwards are rec-
ognized where it is sufficiently probable that taxable income will be available in the future to enable them to
be used. Deferred tax liabilities are recognized on temporary differences taxable in the future. Deferred
taxes are calculated at the rates which – on the basis of the statutory regulations in force, or already en-
acted in relation to future periods, as of the closing date – are expected to apply in the individual countries
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Bayer Group
B Consolidated Financial Statements
183
at the time of realization. Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are offset if they relate to income
taxes levied by the same taxation authority and Bayer has a legal right to settle on a net basis. Material
effects of changes in tax rates or tax law on deferred tax assets and liabilities are generally accounted for
in the period in which the changes are enacted. Such effects are recognized in profit or loss except where
they relate to deferred taxes that were recognized outside profit or loss, in which case they are recognized
in other comprehensive income or directly in equity.
Deferred and current taxes are recognized in profit or loss unless they relate to items recognized outside
profit or loss, in which case they, too, are recognized in other comprehensive income or directly in equity.
The probability that deferred tax assets resulting from temporary differences, loss carryforwards or interest
carryforwards can be used in the future is the subject of forecasts by the individual consolidated compa-
nies regarding their future earnings situation and other parameters. Deferred tax liabilities are recognized
on planned dividend payments by subsidiaries. Where no dividend payment is planned for the foreseeable
future, no deferred tax liability is recognized on the difference between the proportionate net assets ac-
cording to IFRS and the tax base of the investment in the subsidiary.
Goodwill
In a business combination, goodwill is capitalized at the acquisition date. It is measured at its cost of ac-
quisition, which is the excess of the acquisition price for shares in a company over the acquired net assets.
The results of foreign currency cash flow hedges are taken into account in the acquisition price. The net
assets are the balance of the fair values of the acquired identifiable assets and the assumed liabilities and
contingent liabilities. Goodwill is not amortized but tested annually for impairment. Details of the annual
impairment tests are given under “Procedure used in Group-wide impairment testing and its impact.” Once
an impairment loss has been recognized on goodwill, it is not reversed in subsequent periods.
Other intangible assets
An “other intangible asset” is an identifiable nonmonetary asset without physical substance, other than
goodwill (such as a patent, a trademark or a marketing right). It is capitalized if the future economic bene-
fits attributable to the asset will probably flow to the company and the cost of acquisition or generation of
the asset can be reliably measured.
Other intangible assets are recognized at the cost of acquisition or generation. Those with a determinable
useful life are amortized accordingly on a straight-line basis over a period of up to 30 years, except where
their actual depletion demands a different amortization pattern. Determination of the expected useful lives
of such assets and the amortization patterns is based on estimates of the period for which they will gener-
ate cash flows. An impairment test is performed if there is an indication of possible impairment. Other
intangible assets with an indefinite life (such as the Bayer Cross trademark) and intangible assets not yet
available for use (such as R&D projects) are not amortized, but tested annually for impairment.
184
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Bayer Group
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment is depreciated by the straight-line method over an asset’s expected useful
life, except where use-related depreciation is more appropriate. Following the acquisition of Monsanto, the
depreciation periods given below are applied:
Useful Life of Property, Plant and Equipment
Buildings
Plant installations and machinery
Furniture, fixtures and other equipment
B 3/2
5 to 50 years
4 to 40 years
2 to 15 years
When assets are sold, closed down or scrapped, the difference between the net proceeds and the net
carrying amount of the assets is recognized as a gain or loss in other operating income or expenses, re-
spectively.
Investment property comprises land and buildings not being used for operational or administrative purpos-
es. It is measured using the cost model. The fair values of buildings and developed sites reported in the
Notes are primarily determined on the basis of internal valuations using the income approach, while those
of undeveloped sites are mainly calculated using the market comparison approach.
Financial assets
Financial assets comprise receivables, acquired equity and debt instruments, cash and cash equivalents,
and derivatives with positive fair values.
Regular-way purchases and sales of financial assets are generally posted on the settlement date. The
amount at which a financial asset is initially recognized comprises its fair value and in most cases the
transaction costs.
The classification and measurement of financial assets is based in each case on the business model and
the characteristics of the cash flows. The business models “hold” and “sell” are applied to divested trade
accounts receivable depending on the structure of the respective sale agreements, resulting in measure-
ment at amortized cost or fair value. The option of recognizing debt instruments at fair value through profit
or loss under certain conditions is not exercised. In the case of equity instruments that are not held for
trading, the option of recognizing future changes in their fair value through other comprehensive income in
the statement of comprehensive income is generally exercised.
Loss allowances for expected credit losses are recognized for financial assets measured at amortized cost.
A default on receivables expected over the respective term (stage 2 of the impairment model) is deter-
mined for trade accounts receivable based on portfolio-specific default rates. These expected default rates
are mainly based on the average defaults on receivables in recent years. In individual cases, these default
rates are adjusted during the year for the respective customer portfolio if a significant increase or decrease
in defaults is expected in the future. When determining the expected default rates, the business model, the
respective customer and the economic environment of the geographic region are accounted for as follows.
Specific default rates are applied for the individual Group companies; a standard calculation for countries
with a comparable credit risk is undertaken for smaller companies. Further differentiation is achieved by
taking into account the segments’ various customer groups. Throughout the Bayer Group, customers are
also assigned to risk classes with different expected default rates depending on their individual credit risk
assessments.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Bayer Group
B Consolidated Financial Statements
185
Where action such as insolvency or comparable proceedings has been initiated against a defaulter or other
substantial indications exist that receivables are impaired (such as a considerable worsening of creditwor-
thiness or a financial restructuring), the receivables are individually tested for impairment (stage 3 of the
impairment model). In addition, all receivables more than 90 days past due are individually tested for im-
pairment during the year.
For other financial assets, the expected credit loss for the next 12 months is determined on first-time
recognition and on subsequent measurement using the Monte Carlo simulation method (stage 1 of the
impairment model). In the event of a significant increase in the default risk, which is defined as a more than
0.25% increase in the probability of default, the expected credit losses over the respective term of the
asset are taken into account (stage 2 of the impairment model). An impairment loss is recognized if there
are objective indications of an impairment.
Expected credit losses are not calculated for contract assets or lease receivables due to insignificant carry-
ing amounts.
Financial assets are derecognized when contractual rights to receive cash flows from the financial assets
expire or the financial assets were transferred together with all material risks and benefits.
Inventories
Inventories encompass assets consumed in production or in the rendering of services (raw materials and
supplies), assets in the production process for sale (work in process), goods held for sale in the ordinary
course of business (finished goods and goods purchased for resale), advance payments on inventories,
and expected product returns (right-of-return assets). Inventories are recognized at their cost of acquisition
or production (production-related full costs) – calculated by the weighted-average method – or at their net
realizable value, whichever is lower. The net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary
course of business less estimated cost to complete and selling expenses.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash, checks received and balances with banks and companies.
Cash equivalents are highly liquid short-term financial investments that are subject to an insignificant risk of
changes in value, are easily convertible into a known amount of cash and have a maturity of three months
or less from the date of acquisition or investment.
Provisions for pensions and other post-employment benefits
Within the Bayer Group, post-employment benefits are provided under defined contribution and / or defined
benefit plans. In the case of defined contribution plans, the company pays contributions to publicly or
privately administered pension plans on a mandatory, contractual or voluntary basis. Once the contribu-
tions have been paid, the company has no further payment obligations. The regular contributions consti-
tute expenses for the year in which they are due and as such are included in the functional cost items and
thus in EBIT. All other post-employment benefit systems are defined benefit plans, which may be either
unfunded, i.e. financed by provisions, or funded, i.e. financed through pension funds.
The present value of provisions for defined benefit plans and the resulting expense are calculated in ac-
cordance with IAS 19 (Employee Benefits) by the projected unit credit method. The future benefit obliga-
tions are valued by actuarial methods and spread over the entire employment period on the basis of spe-
cific assumptions regarding beneficiary structure and the economic environment. These relate mainly to the
discount rate, expected future salary and pension increases, variations in health care costs, and mortality
rates. The discount rates used are calculated from the yields of high-quality corporate bond portfolios in
specific currencies with cash flows approximately equivalent to the expected disbursements from the pen-
sion plans. The uniform discount rate derived from this interest-rate structure is thus based on the yields,
at the closing date, of a portfolio of AA-rated corporate bonds whose weighted residual maturities approx-
imately correspond to the duration necessary to cover the entire benefit obligation.
186
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Bayer Group
Bayer Annual Report 2018
The fair value of plan assets is deducted from the present value of the defined benefit obligation for pen-
sions and other post-employment benefits to determine the net defined benefit liability. The obligations and
plan assets are valued at regular intervals. Plan assets included assets with a carrying amount of €4,240
million whose fair values are not determined based on quoted prices in active markets. These assets main-
ly include mortgage, land charge and annuity claims, registered bonds, notes, shares not listed on stock
exchanges, and loans. The fair values of these assets were determined by applying the usual measurement
methods and on the basis of freely accessible data such as interest rate curves and credit spreads. The
fair value of bank deposits is the nominal value. Plan assets in excess of the benefit obligation are reflected
in other receivables, subject to the asset ceiling specified in IAS 19 (Employee Benefits). The balance of all
income and expenses, except the net interest on the net liability, is recognized in EBIT. The net interest on
the net liability is reflected in the financial result under other financial income and expenses. The effects of
remeasurements of the net defined benefit liability are reflected in the statement of comprehensive income
as other comprehensive income. They consist of actuarial gains and losses, the return on plan assets and
changes in the effects of the asset ceiling, less the amounts included in net interest. Deferred taxes relating
to the effects of remeasurements are also recognized in other comprehensive income.
Other provisions
Other provisions are recognized for present legal and constructive obligations arising from past events that
will probably give rise to a future outflow of resources, provided that a reliable estimate can be made of the
amount of the obligations.
If the projected obligation declines as a result of a change in the estimate, the provision is reversed by the
corresponding amount and the resulting income recognized in the operating expense item(s) in which the
original charge was recognized.
A sensitivity analysis undertaken for certain provisions that examined the impact of a five percentage point
change in the probabilities of occurrence in each case did not produce any material deviations from the
amount of provisions established.
Provisions for environmental protection are mainly established for the expected costs of ensuring compli-
ance with environmental regulations, remediation work on contaminated land, recultivation of landfills, and
redevelopment and water protection measures.
Estimating the future costs involves, in particular, uncertainties with regard to the applicable laws and regu-
lations and to the actual local conditions. Significant factors in estimating the costs include previous expe-
riences in similar cases, expert opinions, current costs and new developments affecting costs, manage-
ment’s interpretation of current environmental regulations, the financial position of third parties that may
become obligated to participate in any remediation costs on the basis of joint liability, and the remediation
methods likely to be deployed. Changes in these assumptions could impact future reported results of the
Group.
Taking into consideration experience gained to date, provisions are believed to be adequate. However,
material additional costs could be incurred beyond the amounts accrued that result in additional expenses
in subsequent periods.
Provisions for restructuring only cover expenses that arise directly from restructuring measures, are nec-
essary for restructuring and are not related to future business operations. Such expenses include sever-
ance payments to employees and compensation payments in respect of rented property that is no longer
used.
Restructuring measures may include the sale or termination of business units, site closures, relocations of
business activities or fundamental reorganizations of business units.
Trade-related provisions are recorded mainly for obligations related to services performed but not yet in-
voiced and to sales commissions not recognized under trade accounts payable.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Bayer Group
B Consolidated Financial Statements
187
Provisions for litigations are established under certain conditions in the case of legal risks. Litigations and
other judicial proceedings often raise complex issues and are subject to many uncertainties and complexi-
ties including, but not limited to, the facts and circumstances of each particular case, the jurisdiction in
which each suit is brought and differences in applicable law. The outcomes of currently pending and future
proceedings generally cannot be predicted. It is particularly difficult to assess the likely outcomes of class
actions for damages or mass compensation claims in the United States, which may give rise to significant
financial risks for the Bayer Group. As a result of a final judgment in court proceedings, regulatory deci-
sions or the conclusion of a settlement, the Bayer Group may incur charges for which no accounting
measures have yet been taken for lack of reasonable estimability or which exceed presently established
provisions and the insurance coverage.
The Bayer Group considers the need for accounting measures in respect of pending or future litigations,
and the extent of any such measures, on the basis of the information available to its legal department and
in close consultation with legal counsel acting for the Bayer Group. Where it is more likely than not that
such a litigation will result in an outflow of resources that is already reasonably estimable, a provision for
litigation is recorded in the amount of the present value of the expected cash outflows. Such provisions
cover the estimated payments to the plaintiffs, court and procedural costs, attorney costs and the cost of
potential settlements.
It is frequently impossible to reliably determine the existence of a present obligation or reasonably estimate
the probability that a potential outflow of resources will result from a pending or future litigation. The status
of the material “legal risks” is described in Note [29]. Due to the special nature of these litigations, provi-
sions generally are not established until initial settlements allow an estimate of potential amounts or judg-
ments have been issued. Provisions for legal defense costs are established if it is probable that material
costs will have to be incurred for external legal counsel to defend the company’s legal position.
Internal and external legal counsel evaluate the current status of the Bayer Group’s material legal risks at
the end of each reporting period. The need to establish or adjust a provision and the amount of the provi-
sion or adjustment are determined on this basis. Adjusting events are reflected up to the date of prepara-
tion of the consolidated financial statements. The measurement of provisions in the case of class actions
or mass compensation claims is mainly based on any settlements reached during the past year and on
pending or anticipated future claims.
Personnel-related provisions are established, for example, for variable, performance-related one-time
payments to employees, stock-based payments, and payments for service awards, early retirement and
pre-retirement part-time working arrangements. Provisions for severance payments resulting from restruc-
turing are reflected in provisions for restructuring.
Miscellaneous provisions include those for other liabilities, contingent liabilities from business combinations,
and asset retirement obligations (other than those included in provisions for environmental protection).
Under IAS 37.92, further information on aspects such as the processes, risks and related measures as well
as on estimated financial effects, uncertainties, the amounts of individual provisions and contingent liabili-
ties and their maturities can be withheld in exceptional cases if disclosing it could prejudice the company’s
position. Such information may include, in particular, risks in the areas of product liability, competition and
antitrust law, patent disputes, tax assessments and environmental matters.
188
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Bayer Group
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Financial liabilities
These also include trade accounts payable and other liabilities that are settled in cash and cash equiva-
lents or other financial instruments, as well as negative fair values of derivatives.
Financial liabilities are measured at amortized cost with the exception of those carried at fair value, such as
derivatives with negative fair values, liabilities for contingent consideration in business combinations, or
liabilities designated at fair value through profit or loss.
Mandatory convertible notes are assessed to determine whether they should be accounted for entirely as
debt or split into an equity component and a debt component. This involves examining whether Bayer’s
early conversion rights have economic substance. These rights may have economic substance with re-
spect to maintaining the current credit rating if early conversion can prevent a rating downgrade. In this
event, future savings of credit interest would more than offset the cost of early conversion by Bayer. If the
right to early conversion is deemed to have economic substance, components of the mandatory converti-
ble notes are classified as equity.
The mandatory convertible notes issued are accounted for as a hybrid financial instrument. The directly
attributable costs along with the debt component, which corresponds to the present value of the future
interest payments, are deducted from the proceeds of the issue. The debt component is included in finan-
cial liabilities. The remaining amount is the equity component, which is reflected in capital reserves.
Financial liabilities with one or multiple embedded derivatives (hybrid financial instruments), where at least
one of the derivatives has to be separated from the host contract and significantly modifies the contractual
cash flows, can be designated in their entirety at fair value through profit or loss. Use was made of this
option for the debt instruments issued in June 2017 (exchangeable bond 2017 / 2020), which are ex-
changeable into Covestro shares. Changes in the fair value of these instruments are recognized in other
financial income and expenses with the exception of those attributable to Bayer’s own credit risk, which
are recognized in other comprehensive income in the statement of comprehensive income.
Financial liabilities are derecognized when the contractual obligation is discharged or canceled, or has
expired.
Other receivables and liabilities
Accrued items and other nonfinancial assets and liabilities are carried at amortized cost. They are amor-
tized to income by the straight-line method or according to performance of the underlying transaction.
Grants and subsidies from third parties that serve to promote investment are reflected in the statement of
financial position under other liabilities and amortized to income over the useful lives of the respective in-
vestments or in line with the terms of the grant or subsidy.
Derivatives
The Bayer Group uses derivatives to mitigate the risk of changes in exchange rates, interest rates or com-
modity prices (such as for soybeans and corn) and to hedge stock-based compensation programs. The
instruments used include forward exchange contracts, interest-rate swaps, forward commodity contracts
and forward stock transactions. Derivatives are recognized at the trade date.
Contracts concluded in order to receive or deliver nonfinancial items for the company’s own purposes are
not accounted for as derivatives but treated as pending transactions. This applies in particular to raw ma-
terial supply contracts at Crop Science. Where embedded derivatives are identified that are required to be
separated from the pending transactions, they are accounted for separately. To take advantage of market
opportunities or cover possible peak demand, a nonmaterial volume of transactions may be entered into
for which the possibility of immediate resale cannot be excluded. Such transactions are allocated to sepa-
rate portfolios upon acquisition and accounted for as derivatives through profit or loss according to IFRS 9.
Derivatives are carried at fair value. Positive fair values at the end of the reporting period are reflected in
financial assets, negative fair values in financial liabilities. Changes in the fair values of these derivatives are
recognized directly in profit or loss except where hedge accounting is used.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Bayer Group
B Consolidated Financial Statements
189
Changes in the fair values of the effective portion of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are initially
recognized outside profit or loss in other comprehensive income. They are not reclassified to profit or loss
until the underlying transaction is recognized through profit or loss. The ineffective portion of derivatives
designated as cash flow hedges is recognized either in other operating income or expenses or in the finan-
cial result, depending on the type of underlying transaction. Changes in the fair values of derivatives desig-
nated as fair-value hedges and the adjustments in the carrying amounts of the underlying transactions are
recognized in profit or loss.
Changes in the fair values of forward exchange contracts and currency options serving as hedges of items
in the statement of financial position are reflected in other financial income and expenses as exchange
gains or losses, while changes in the values of interest-rate swaps and interest-rate options are recognized
in interest income or expense. Changes in the fair values of commodity futures and options are initially
recognized in other comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified to cost of goods sold. Effects
from cash flow hedges of forward exchange contracts used to hedge forecasted sales transactions in
foreign currencies are initially recognized outside profit or loss and then reclassified to other operating
income or expenses at the time the sales are recognized. Changes in the fair values of stock options or
forward stock transactions used to hedge stock-based employee compensation are initially recognized
outside profit or loss and subsequently reclassified to profit or loss in the functional costs over the periods
of the Aspire programs.
Acquisition accounting
Acquired businesses are accounted for using the acquisition method, which requires that the assets ac-
quired and liabilities assumed be recorded at their respective fair values on the date Bayer obtains control.
For significant acquisitions, the purchase price allocation is carried out with assistance from independent
third-party valuation specialists. The related valuations are based on the information available at the acqui-
sition date. Ancillary acquisition costs are recognized as expenses in the periods in which they occur. The
application of the acquisition method requires certain estimates and assumptions to be made, especially
concerning the fair values of the acquired intangible assets, property, plant and equipment and the liabili-
ties assumed at the acquisition date, and the useful lives of the acquired intangible assets, property, plant
and equipment. Measurement is based to a large extent on anticipated cash flows. If actual cash flows
vary from those used in calculating fair values, this may materially affect the Group’s future results of op-
erations. In particular, the estimation of discounted cash flows from intangible assets under development,
patented and nonpatented technologies, customer relationships and brands is based on assumptions
concerning, for example:
// The outcomes of R&D activities regarding the efficacy of a crop protection product, trait, seed or
compound, and results of clinical trials
// The probability of obtaining regulatory approvals in individual countries
// Long-term sales projections
// Possible selling price erosion due to offerings of unpatented products following patent expirations
// The behavior of competitors (launch of competing products, marketing initiatives, etc.)
In step acquisitions, the fair values of the acquired entity’s assets and liabilities are measured in accord-
ance with IFRS 3 (Business Combinations) at the date on which control is obtained. Any resulting adjust-
ments to the fair value of the existing interest are recognized in profit or loss. The carrying amount of the
assets and liabilities already recognized in the statement of financial position is then adjusted accordingly.
190
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Bayer Group
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Divestment accounting
Divestments of shares in subsidiaries that result in a loss of control are generally accounted for in profit or
loss. When shares in a subsidiary are gradually divested in several tranches, a reduction in the majority
shareholding without the loss of control is reflected outside profit or loss and results in an increase in the
equity attributable to noncontrolling stockholders. After the loss of control, the interest remaining at the
time of the loss of control is carried at fair value. If Bayer AG still retains significant influence after selling
shares, the remaining interest is recognized as an interest in an associate and is accounted for using the
equity method. Once Bayer can no longer exert significant influence on the company, the remaining inter-
est held is carried at fair value as an equity instrument. The remaining shares in Covestro AG are recog-
nized through profit or loss.
Procedure used in Group-wide impairment testing and its impact
Impairment tests are performed not only on individual items of intangible assets, property, plant and
equipment, but also at the level of cash-generating units or groups of cash-generating units. A cash-
generating unit is the smallest identifiable group of assets that generates cash inflows that are largely inde-
pendent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets. The Bayer Group regards product fami-
lies, among other things, as cash-generating units and subjects them to global impairment testing. Good-
will is tested at segment level.
Cash-generating units and unit groups are globally tested if there is an indication of possible impairment.
Those to which goodwill is allocated are tested at least annually.
Impairment testing involves comparing the carrying amount of each cash-generating unit, unit group or
item of intangible assets, property, plant or equipment to the recoverable amount, which is the higher of its
fair value less costs of disposal or value in use. If the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount, an
impairment loss must be recognized for the difference. In this case an impairment loss is first recognized
on any goodwill allocated to the cash-generating unit or unit group. Any remaining impairment loss is allo-
cated among the other noncurrent nonfinancial assets in proportion to their carrying amounts. The result-
ing expense is reflected in the functional item of the income statement in which the depreciation or amorti-
zation of the respective assets is recognized. The same applies to income from impairment loss reversals.
The recoverable amount is generally determined on the basis of the fair value less costs of disposal, taking
into account the present value of the future net cash flows as market prices for the individual units are not
normally available. These are forecasted on the basis of the Bayer Group’s current planning, the planning
horizon normally being three to five years. Forecasting involves making assumptions, especially regarding
future selling prices, sales volumes, costs, market growth rates, economic cycles and exchange rates.
These assumptions are based on internal estimates along with external market studies. Where the recov-
erable amount is the fair value less costs of disposal, measurement is undertaken from the viewpoint of an
independent market participant. Where the recoverable amount is the value in use, the object of valuation
is measured as currently used. In either case, net cash flows beyond the planning period are determined
on the basis of long-term business expectations using the respective individual growth rates derived from
market information. The fair value less costs of disposal is determined on the basis of unobservable inputs
(Level 3).
The net cash inflows are discounted at a rate equivalent to the weighted average cost of equity and debt
capital. To allow for the different risk and return profiles of the Bayer Group’s principal businesses, the
after-tax cost of capital is calculated separately for each reporting segment while taking into account re-
gional focus areas, and a segment-specific capital structure is defined by benchmarking against compara-
ble companies in the same industry sector. The cost of equity corresponds to the return expected by
stockholders, while the cost of debt is based on the conditions on which comparable companies can ob-
tain long-term financing. Both components are derived from capital market information.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Bayer Group
B Consolidated Financial Statements
191
The growth rates applied for impairment testing in 2017 and 2018 and the capital cost factors are shown
in the following table:
Impairment Testing Parameters
%
Pharmaceuticals
Consumer Health
Crop Science
Animal Health
B 3/3
Growth rate
After-tax cost of capital
2017
2018
2017
2018
0.0
1.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
1.0
2.0
1.0
5.6
4.8
5.4
5.0
7.6
7.9
7.8
8.6
An impairment loss of €1,547 million was recognized on the goodwill of the Consumer Health segment on
the basis of the annual Group-wide impairment testing of the cash-generating units and unit groups (2017:
€0 million). This impairment loss was included in other operating expenses. Impairment losses on intangi-
ble assets, property, plant and equipment – net of €0 million (2017: €13 million) in impairment loss rever-
sals – totaled €3,353 million (2017: €506 million). Details are provided in Notes [14] and [15].
Although the estimates of the useful lives of certain assets, assumptions concerning the macroeconomic
environment and industry developments, and estimates of the discounted future cash flows are believed to
be appropriate, changes in assumptions or circumstances could require changes in the carrying amounts.
This could lead to the recognition of additional impairment losses in the future or – except in the case of
goodwill – to reversals of previously recognized impairment losses if developments are contrary to expec-
tations.
A sensitivity analysis undertaken for the impairment testing of goodwill was based on a 10% reduction in
future cash flows, a 10% increase in the weighted average cost of capital or a one-percentage-point re-
duction in the long-term growth rate. The sensitivity analysis showed that an impairment loss of €1.1 billion
would need to be recognized for the cash-generating unit Consumer Health in the event of a 10% reduc-
tion in future cash flows or a 10% increase in the weighted average cost of capital. A one percentage point
reduction in Consumer Health’s long-term growth rate would result in an impairment loss of €0.6 billion.
192
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Bayer Group
Bayer Annual Report 2018
4. Segment reporting
At Bayer, the Board of Management – as the chief operating decision-maker – allocates resources to the
operating segments and assesses their performance. The reportable segments and regions are identified,
and the disclosures selected, in line with the internal financial reporting system (management approach)
and based on the Group accounting policies outlined in Note [3].
As of December 31, 2018, the Bayer Group comprises the four reportable segments Pharmaceuticals,
Consumer Health, Crop Science and Animal Health. Their activities are as follows:
B 4/1
Activities of the Segments
Segment
Activities
Pharmaceuticals
Development, production and marketing of prescription products, especially for cardiology and women’s
health; specialty therapeutics in the areas of oncology, hematology and ophthalmology; diagnostic imaging
equipment and the necessary contrast agents
Consumer Health Development, production and marketing of mainly nonprescription (OTC = over-the-counter) products in
the dermatology, nutritional supplements, pain, digestive health, allergy, cough and cold, foot care and
sun protection categories
Crop Science
Development, production and marketing of a broad portfolio of products in seeds and plant traits, crop
protection and nonagricultural pest control
Animal Health
Development, production and marketing of prescription and nonprescription veterinary products
In connection with the acquisition of Monsanto, the reporting structure of the Crop Science segment was
adjusted to reflect the future relative sizes of the various strategic business entities.
Business activities that cannot be allocated to any other segment are reported under “All Other
Segments.” These primarily include the services provided by the service areas: Business Services and
Currenta.
The items in “Corporate Functions and Consolidation” mainly comprise the Bayer holding companies and
Leaps by Bayer, which focuses on the development of crucial, cross-species innovations. Also recognized
are gains and losses incurred upon the ongoing revaluation of nonmonetary assets and liabilities and of
equity according to IAS 29 (Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies) for Bayer S.A. in Argentina.
They also include the increase or decrease in expenses for Group-wide long-term stock-based compensa-
tion arising from fluctuations in the performance of Bayer stock, and the consolidation of intersegment
sales (2018: €2.8 billion; 2017: €2.4 billion), along with expenses, income, assets, liabilities and certain
contingent liabilities of comparable central functions of the acquired Monsanto Group.
The segment data are calculated as follows:
// The intersegment sales reflect intra-Group transactions effected at transfer prices fixed on an arm’s-
length basis.
// The net cash provided by operating activities is the cash flow from operating activities as defined in
IAS 7 (Statement of Cash Flows).
// The segment assets comprise all assets serving the respective segment, stated as of December 31,
including material participating interests of direct relevance to business operations.
// The equity items reflect the earnings and carrying amounts of investments accounted for using the
equity method.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Bayer Group
B Consolidated Financial Statements
193
Key Data by Segment
€ million
Net sales (external)
Currency-adjusted change
1
Intersegment sales
Net sales (total)
EBIT
1
EBITDA before special items
1
ROCE
1
Net cash provided
by operating activities
Equity-method income (loss)
Equity-method carrying amounts
Assets
Capital expenditures
Depreciation, amortization
and impairments
2017
16,847
+ 4.3%
38
2018
16,746
+ 3.1%
37
16,885
16,783
4,325
5,711
21.0%
3,213
5,598
16.6%
Pharmaceuticals
Consumer Health
Crop Science
Animal Health
B 4/2
2017
5,862
2018
5,450
2017
9,577
2018
14,266
2017
1,571
2018
1,501
– 1.7%
– 1.3%
– 2.2%
+ 53.3%
+ 4.1%
+ 0.5%
14
5,876
518
1,231
2.7%
3
5,453
(2,077)
1,096
(12.9)%
727
1
11
33
9,610
1,235
2,043
9.6%
39
8
9
14,305
1,579
1,510
3,138
2,651
6.3%
307
381
312
358
47.1%
38.0%
1,884
3,743
209
271
3,867
4,376
1,059
16
–
1
11
1
3
21,753
1,126
20,687
14,896
12,224
13,106
888
181
228
670
(1)
35
1
140
76,809
1,030
1,251
1,584
627
3,112
481
1,362
of which impairment losses / loss
reversals
Research and development expenses
217
2,888
603
2,893
213
240
2,732
226
71
1,166
13
1,950
1 For definition see Combined Management Report, Chapter 2.4 “Alternative Performance Measures Used by the Bayer Group.”
–
–
935
41
45
9
155
–
–
1,001
55
39
–
143
B 4/2 continued
Key Data by Segment
€ million
Net sales (external)
Currency-adjusted change
1
Intersegment sales
Net sales (total)
EBIT
1
EBITDA before special items
1
ROCE
1
Net cash provided by operating activities
Equity-method income (loss)
Equity-method carry amounts
Assets
Capital expenditures
Depreciation, amortization and impairments
of which impairment losses / loss reversals
Research and development expenses
All Other Segments
2017
1,142
2018
1,605
+ 10.5%
+ 40.4%
2,324
3,466
2,682
4,287
4
358
–
256
–
–
397
735
–
324
–
–
Reconciliation
Corporate Functions
and Consolidation
2017
2018
16
–
(2,417)
(2,401)
(486)
(436)
–
(664)
19
3,958
18
–
(2,770)
(2,752)
(1,069)
(891)
–
(1,524)
50
364
2017
35,015
+ 1.6%
–
Group
2018
39,586
+ 17.2%
–
35,015
39,586
5,903
9,288
10.8%
6,611
20
4,007
3,914
9,547
4.4%
7,917
68
515
2,206
2,977
22,191
12,587
75,087
126,285
359
243
2
3
354
240
5
1
41
13
–
52
9
15
–
33
2,418
2,660
512
4,504
2,564
6,352
3,353
5,246
1 For definition see Combined Management Report, Chapter 2.4 “Alternative Performance Measures Used by the Bayer Group.”
194
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Bayer Group
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Reconciliations
The reconciliations of the segments’ assets to Group assets and of EBITDA before special items, EBIT
before special items and EBIT to Group income before income taxes are given in the following tables:
Reconciliation of Segments’ Assets to Group Assets
€ million
Operating segments’ assets
Corporate Functions and Consolidation assets
Nonallocated assets
Group assets
B 4/3
2017
2018
52,896
113,698
4,207
17,984
75,087
613
11,974
126,285
Reconciliation of Segments’ EBITDA Before Special Items to Group Income Before Income Taxes
€ million
EBITDA before special items of segments
EBITDA before special items of Corporate Functions and Consolidation
EBITDA before special items
1
Depreciation, amortization and impairment losses / loss reversals before special items of segments
Depreciation, amortization and impairment losses / loss reversals before special items of Corporate
Functions and Consolidation
Depreciation, amortization and impairment losses / loss reversals before special items
EBIT before special items of segments
EBIT before special items of Corporate Functions and Consolidation
EBIT before special items
1
Special items of segments
Special items of Corporate Functions and Consolidation
Special items
1
EBIT of segments
EBIT of Corporate Functions and Consolidation
EBIT
1
Financial result
Income before income taxes
2017
9,724
(436)
9,288
(2,145)
(13)
(2,158)
7,579
(449)
7,130
(1,190)
(37)
(1,227)
6,389
(486)
5,903
(1,326)
4,577
B 4/4
2018
10,438
(891)
9,547
(3,052)
(15)
(3,067)
7,386
(906)
6,480
(2,403)
(163)
(2,566)
4,983
(1,069)
3,914
(1,596)
2,318
1 For definition see Combined Management Report, Chapter 2.4 “Alternative Performance Measures Used by the Bayer Group.”
Information on geographical areas
The following table provides a regional breakdown of external sales by market and of intangible assets,
property, plant and equipment:
Information on Geographical Areas
€ million
Europe / Middle East / Africa
of which Germany
of which Switzerland
North America
of which United States
Asia / Pacific
of which China
Latin America
of which Brazil
Total
B 4/5
Intangible assets and
property, plant and
equipment
2017
21,356
10,856
5,190
10,354
10,056
1,771
853
577
209
2018
26,478
16,167
5,469
55,644
54,073
1,997
529
3,717
2,573
Net sales (external)
– by market
2017
2018
13,388
14,143
3,392
485
3,819
449
10,143
11,569
8,561
7,637
2,594
3,847
1,647
9,793
8,115
2,927
5,759
2,869
35,015
39,586
34,058
87,836
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Bayer Group
B Consolidated Financial Statements
195
Information on major customers
Revenues from transactions with a single customer in no case exceeded 10% of Bayer Group sales in
2018 or 2017.
5. Scope of consolidation; subsidiaries and affiliates
5.1 Changes in the scope of consolidation
Changes in the scope of consolidation in 2018 were as follows:
Change in the Number of Consolidated Companies
Bayer AG and consolidated companies
December 31, 2017
Changes in scope of consolidation
Additions
Retirements
December 31, 2018
Germany
Other
countries
50
+ 4
+ 2
– 1
55
187
+ 2
+ 194
– 18
365
B 5.1/1
Total
237
+ 6
+ 196
– 19
420
The increase in the total number of consolidated companies in 2018 was primarily due to the acquisition of
the Monsanto Group.
In conjunction with the acquisition of the consumer care business of Merck & Co., Inc., United States,
Bayer entered into a strategic collaboration with that company in 2014. This collaboration is included in the
consolidated financial statements as a joint operation. Bayer and Merck & Co., Inc., have mutually agreed
to collaborate on the development, production, life-cycle management and marketing of active ingredients
and products in the field of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) modulation.
Five (2017: four) associates and ten (2017: eight) joint ventures were accounted for in the consolidated
financial statements using the equity method. Details of these companies are given in Note [16].
Flagship Ventures V Agricultural Fund, L.P., United States, was included in the consolidated financial
statements for the first time in 2015 and classified as an associate. Bayer has no control over this associ-
ate despite owning 99.9% of the capital, but is able to significantly influence its financial and operating
policy decisions.
Nanjing Baijingyu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., China, was classified as an associate in view of Bayer’s repre-
sentation on its executive committee and supervisory board. This enables Bayer to significantly influence
its financial and operating policy decisions despite owning only 15% of its voting rights and capital.
A total of 67 (2017: 76) subsidiaries, including one (2017: one) structured entity and 17 (2017: 12) associ-
ates or joint ventures that in aggregate are immaterial to the Bayer Group’s financial position and results of
operations are neither consolidated nor accounted for using the equity method, but are recognized at fair
value. The immaterial subsidiaries accounted for less than 0.2% of Group sales, less than 0.2% of equity
and less than 0.1% of total assets.
Details of the companies included in the consolidated financial statements, the subsidiary and affiliated
companies of the Bayer Group pursuant to Section 313, Paragraph 2 of the German Commercial Code,
and a list of domestic subsidiaries that availed themselves in 2018 of certain exemptions granted under
Section 264, Paragraph 3, and Section 264b of the German Commercial Code, are included in the audited
consolidated financial statements that have been submitted for publication in the electronic version of the
Federal Gazette. This information can also be accessed at www.bayer.com/shareownership2018.
GRI 102-45
196
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Bayer Group
Bayer Annual Report 2018
5.2 Business combinations and other acquisitions
Business combinations and other acquisitions in 2018
The purchase price of the acquisitions made in 2018 was €48,066 million (2017: €158 million). The pur-
chase price of the acquired businesses was settled mainly in cash. Goodwill amounted to €24,503 million
(2017: €51 million).
Bayer acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of Monsanto Company, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
(Monsanto), on June 7, 2018. The acquisition of Monsanto brings together two strong and highly com-
plementary businesses: Bayer’s innovative chemical and biological crop protection portfolio and Monsanto’s
exceptional expertise in the field of seeds and traits. Among the production sites maintained by
Monsanto are facilities in Luling, Muscatine and Soda Springs (all United States), Antwerp (Belgium),
Zarate (Argentina) and Camacari (Brazil). Monsanto’s portfolio of established brands includes Dekalb™,
Asgrow™ and Roundup™, among others. The purchase price of €48,029 million pertained mainly to
intangible assets for technologies in the areas of seeds and traits (useful lives of between 9 and 30
years), herbicides (useful lives of between 5 and 20 years) and digital platforms (useful lives of 15 years),
as well as for research and development projects, brands (useful lives of between 10 and 30 years),
customer relationships (useful lives of between 20 and 30 years), property, plant and equipment, invento-
ries and goodwill. No value was assigned to the company name “Monsanto”.
The goodwill included expected synergies in administration processes and infrastructure, including cost
savings in the selling, R&D and general administration functions, as well as expected sales synergies
resulting from the combined offering of products. The goodwill is non-tax-deductible.
Sales of €5,328 million and an after-tax loss of €1,341 million were recorded for the acquired businesses
since the date of first-time consolidation.
The following bonds with total nominal volumes of US$15 billion and €5 billion in total were issued in June
2018 to finance the acquisition:
B 5.2/1
Newly issued bonds
Issuer
Bayer U.S. Finance II LLC, U.S.A.
Coupon (%)
Nominal volume
Issue date
Maturity date
3.5
US$1,250 million
Jun. 25, 2018
Jun. 25, 2021
3-month USD LIBOR + 0.63
US$1,250 million
Jun. 25, 2018
Jun. 25, 2021
3-month USD LIBOR + 1.01
US$1,250 million
Jun. 25, 2018
Dec. 15, 2023
3.875
US$2,250 million
Jun. 25, 2018
Dec. 15, 2023
4.25
US$2,500 million
Jun. 25, 2018
Dec. 15, 2025
4.375
US$3,500 million
Jun. 25, 2018
Dec. 15, 2028
4.625
US$1,000 million
Jun. 25, 2018
Jun. 25, 2038
4.875
US$2,000 million
Jun. 25, 2018
Jun. 25, 2048
Bayer Capital Corporation B.V., Netherlands
3-month EURIBOR + 0.55
€750 million
Jun. 26, 2018
Jun. 26, 2022
0.625
1.5
2.125
€1,000 million
Jun. 26, 2018
Dec. 15, 2022
€1,750 million
Jun. 26, 2018
Jun. 26, 2026
€1,500 million
Jun. 26, 2018
Dec. 15, 2029
As part of the acquisition, bonds with a nominal volume of US$6.9 billion were taken over from Monsanto.
The purchase price allocation of the Monsanto acquisition was adjusted as of December 31, 2018, result-
ing in a €1,457 million net reduction in acquired assets / increase in assumed liabilities and a corresponding
increase in goodwill in the statement of financial position as compared with the amounts recognized in
June 2018.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Bayer Group
B Consolidated Financial Statements
197
On May 2, 2018, Bayer increased its interest in the joint venture Bayer Zydus Pharma Private Limited,
Thane, India, from 50% to 75% plus one share. A purchase price of €28 million was agreed. Bayer is obli-
gated to purchase the remaining 25% minus one share of Bayer Zydus Pharma by 2021 and has recog-
nized a liability of €9 million in connection with this obligation. As a result, the accounting method used for
this business changed from the equity method to full consolidation, with 100% of the shares of Bayer
Zydus Pharma being consolidated. Remeasurement of the shares previously accounted for using the equity
method resulted in an amount of €18 million. The gain of €15 million resulting from the derecognition of
the shares previously accounted for using the equity method was recognized in the financial result. The
purchase price pertained mainly to goodwill that in turn was based primarily on a control premium. Bayer
Zydus Pharma is active in core segments of the Indian pharmaceutical market and focuses on women’s
health, diagnostic imaging, cardiovascular disease, diabetes treatment and oncology. This acquisition in-
creases Bayer’s presence in the Indian pharmaceutical market.
The effects of these transactions and the adjustment of the purchase price allocation of the Monsanto
acquisition on the Group’s assets and liabilities are shown in the table. Net of acquired cash and cash
equivalents, they resulted in the following cash outflow:
Acquired Assets and Assumed Liabilities (Fair Values at the Respective Acquisition Dates)
€ million
Goodwill
Patents and technologies
Trademarks
Marketing and distribution rights
R&D projects
Production rights
Other rights
Property, plant and equipment
Investments accounted for using the equity
method
Other financial assets
Inventories
Receivables
Other current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Deferred tax assets
Provisions for pensions and other
post-employment benefits
Other provisions
Refund liabilities
Financial liabilities
Other liabilities
Deferred tax liabilities
Net assets
Changes in noncontrolling interest
Remeasurement of previously held equity interest
Consideration transferred
Acquired cash and cash equivalents
Noncash components
2017
51
–
85
–
–
4
–
–
–
–
18
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
2018
24,503
17,152
3,941
845
4,637
11
360
5,655
52
201
4,821
7,281
27
2,659
1,799
(389)
(2,597)
(3,322)
(8,657)
(2,860)
(7,858)
158
48,261
–
–
158
–
–
(177)
(18)
48,066
(2,659)
(91)
Net cash (inflow from) outflow for acquisitions
158
45,316
Of which
Monsanto
June 30,
2018
Adjustment
of purchase
price
allocation
22,998
17,350
4,195
821
4,300
–
394
6,293
52
250
4,882
7,201
27
2,657
1,548
(367)
(1,529)
(3,321)
(8,656)
(2,870)
(8,019)
48,206
(177)
–
48,029
(2,657)
(82)
45,290
1,457
(198)
(254)
24
337
11
(34)
(638)
–
(52)
(64)
78
–
–
249
(22)
(1,067)
–
–
12
161
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Of which
Zydus
48
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
3
3
2
–
2
2
–
(1)
(1)
(1)
(2)
–
55
–
(18)
37
(2)
(9)
26
B 5.2/2
Of which
Monsanto
December
31, 2018
24,455
17,152
3,941
845
4,637
11
360
5,655
52
198
4,818
7,279
27
2,657
1,797
(389)
(2,596)
(3,321)
(8,656)
(2,858)
(7,858)
48,206
(177)
–
48,029
(2,657)
(82)
45,290
198
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Bayer Group
Bayer Annual Report 2018
The fair value of the acquired receivables in the amount of €7.3 billion primarily comprises trade accounts
receivable. As of the date of the acquisition, the gross amount of the contractual receivables amounted to
€7.7 billion, with €0.3 billion of this figure assessed as irrecoverable.
If the aforementioned acquisitions had already been made as of January 1, 2018, the Bayer Group would
have had total sales of €46,289 million. Income after income taxes would have been €2,093 million, and
earnings per share €2.22. This takes into account significant effects relating to financing costs and pur-
chase price allocations for 2018. In particular, the remeasurement of inventories at fair value and their sub-
sequent utilization as well as planned amortization had a negative impact. No adjustment was made for
special items.
The purchase price allocation for Monsanto currently remains incomplete pending compilation and review
of the relevant financial information. It is therefore possible that changes will be made in the allocation of
the purchase price to the individual assets and liabilities.
Acquisitions in 2017
On January 3, 2017, Bayer Animal Health acquired the Cydectin™ portfolio in the United States from
Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., St. Joseph, Missouri, United States. The acquisition comprises the
Cydectin™ Pour-On, Cydectin™ Injectable and Cydectin™ Oral Drench endectocides for cattle and sheep.
The acquisition is intended to strengthen the antiparasitics portfolio in the United States through the addi-
tion of endectocides. A purchase price of €158 million was agreed. The purchase price pertained mainly to
trademarks and goodwill, which, as expected, is fully tax-deductible.
On September 13, 2017, Bayer and Gingko Bioworks, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, United States,
founded the joint venture Joyn Bio LLC, Boston, Massachusetts, United States. The joint venture will focus
on technologies to improve plant-associated microbes with a major focus on nitrogen fixation, which is
important in agriculture.
5.3 Divestments, material sale transactions and discontinued operations
Divestments in 2018
In connection with the acquisition of Monsanto, Bayer signed an agreement with BASF on October 13,
2017, concerning the sale of selected Crop Science businesses. All of the transactions closed on August
1, 2018, apart from the divestment of the vegetable seed business, which closed on August 16, 2018. In
accordance with the conditions imposed by antitrust authorities, the divestment of Crop Science business-
es to BASF also comprises further significant obligations by Bayer that will be fulfilled over a number of
years subsequent to the date of divestment. Another of these conditions is for deliveries under the supply
agreement (finished products and active ingredients) to be made at prices based on the respective variable
costs. In this connection, a contract liability of €0.2 billion was determined based on customary sales pric-
es and recognized in the statement of financial position. It will be dissolved as the obligations are fulfilled.
The final purchase price provisionally amounts to approximately €7.4 billion, and income before taxes to
€4.1 billion. The divested net assets amounted to €2.8 billion and pertained mainly to property, plant and
equipment, goodwill and other assets and provisions.
On September 4, 2018, the U.S. activities of the prescription dermatology business within the Consumer
Health segment were transferred to the acquirer LEO Pharma A/S, Ballerup, Denmark. The base purchase
price amounted to €58 million. The global prescription dermatology business outside the United States is
recognized as held for sale.
On June 30, 2018, the Pharmaceuticals segment sold its MK Generics business in Central America
and the Caribbean to Tecnoquímicas S.A., Cali, Colombia. The divested business includes the Bonima
production plant in El Salvador. The base purchase price was €44 million.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Bayer Group
B Consolidated Financial Statements
199
Divestments in 2017
In October 2015, Bayer successfully floated the former MaterialScience subgroup on the stock market
under the name “Covestro”. In view of the remaining majority interest, Covestro was fully consolidated in the
Bayer Group until the end of September 2017. Bayer ceded de facto control of Covestro on September 30,
2017. Accordingly, the Covestro Group was deconsolidated at the end of the third quarter and, in view of
Bayer’s remaining significant influence, was recognized for the first time as an associate.
As of September 30, 2017, the fair value of the remaining interest, €3.6 billion, was determined on the
basis of the share price. The deconsolidation and remeasurement of the remaining interest in Covestro
resulted in overall income before taxes of €3.1 billion, which is included in income from discontinued oper-
ations. This figure reflects a gain of €2.4 billion from the remeasurement of the remaining interest, a gain
of €0.5 billion from the deconsolidation, and a gain of €0.2 billion from the performance of the shares sold
on September 29, 2017, in the fourth quarter of 2017. The overall gain after taxes amounted to €3.0 billion.
A deferred tax expense of €32 million was accounted for as part of the remeasurement of the remaining
interest. In addition, an amount of minus €0.6 billion recognized in other comprehensive income was re-
classified to retained earnings attributable to Bayer AG stockholders.
Discontinued operations
Bayer ceded de facto control of Covestro and deconsolidated the company at the end of September 2017.
As of the loss of control, Covestro fulfills the conditions for presentation as a discontinued operation. In
connection with the sale of Covestro AG shares in 2017, Bayer AG entered into derivative contracts. These
resulted in exchange gains of €8 million through the second quarter of 2018.
The income statements for the discontinued operations are given below:
Income Statements for Discontinued Operations
€ million
Net sales
Cost of goods sold
Gross profit
Selling expenses
Research and development expenses
General administration expenses
Other operating income / expenses
EBIT
1
Financial result
Income before income taxes
Income taxes
Income after income taxes
of which attributable to
noncontrolling interest
of which attributable to Bayer AG
stockholders (net income)
2017
10,556
(6,973)
3,583
(1,016)
(200)
(345)
3,150
5,172
(124)
5,048
(580)
4,468
759
3,709
Covestro
2018
–
–
–
–
–
–
8
8
–
8
(8)
–
–
–
Diabetes Care
2017
501
(28)
473
(4)
–
(8)
(3)
458
–
458
(80)
378
–
378
2018
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
2017
11,057
(7,001)
4,056
(1,020)
(200)
(353)
3,147
5,630
(124)
5,506
(660)
4,846
759
4,087
1 For definition see Combined Management Report, Chapter 2.4 “Alternative Performance Measures Used by the Bayer Group.”
B 5.3/1
Total
2018
–
–
–
–
–
–
8
8
–
8
(8)
–
–
–
200
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Bayer Group
Bayer Annual Report 2018
The cash flows for the discontinued operations are as follows:
Cash Flows from Discontinued Operations
€ million
Net cash provided
by (used in) operating activities
Net cash provided
by (used in) investing activities
Net cash provided
by (used in) financing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents
Covestro
Diabetes Care
2017
2018
2017
2018
2017
1,473
(742)
(224)
507
–
–
–
–
50
–
(50)
–
–
–
–
–
1,523
(742)
(274)
507
B 5.3/2
Total
2018
–
–
–
–
Assets held for sale
Bayer signed an agreement on July 27, 2018, to divest the Consumer Health prescription dermatology
business to LEO Pharma A/S, Ballerup, Denmark. The global prescription dermatology business excluding
the U.S. activities is expected to be transferred to LEO Pharma A/S in the second half of 2019 subject to
the fulfillment of the closing conditions. The portfolio being divested comprises prescription brands includ-
ing Advantan™, Skinoren™ and Travocort™. The base purchase price amounts to €555 million and is
subject to customary purchase price adjustments.
The assets and liabilities held for sale are presented below:
Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale
€ million
Goodwill
Other intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Other assets
Deferred taxes
Inventories
Assets held for sale
Provisions for pensions and other post-employment benefits
Other provisions
Financial liabilities
Other liabilities
Deferred taxes
B 5.3/3
Dec. 31,
2017
Dec. 31,
2018
479
287
1,062
41
63
149
2,081
11
79
14
4
3
156
32
42
4
–
–
234
5
–
–
–
7
Liabilities directly related to assets held for sale
111
12
Assets and liabilities held for sale in 2017 mainly comprised the businesses sold to BASF.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
B Consolidated Financial Statements
201
Notes to the Income Statements
Notes to the Income Statements
6. Net sales
Total reported net sales for 2018 amounted to €39,586 million, rising by €4,571 million, or 13.1%, com-
pared with 2017. They were derived primarily from product deliveries. Breakdowns of net sales by segment
and geographical area are given in the overview provided in Note [4].
Sales of €667 million were recognized in 2018 from performance obligations already satisfied in previous
years. These sales primarily resulted from adjustments to refund liabilities for expected product returns,
from rebates to be granted and from right-to-use licenses granted against sales-based royalties. Contrac-
tually agreed sales volumes pertaining to performance obligations not yet satisfied as of December 31,
2018, are expected to be reclassified to profit or loss as follows, taking into account anticipated sales
deductions:
Allocation of Transaction Price to Unfulfilled Performance Obligations
€ million
Transaction price outstanding as of Dec. 31, 2018
of which to be recognized within 1 year
of which to be recognized between 1 and 2 years
of which to be recognized between 2 and 3 years
of which to be recognized between 3 and 4 years
of which to be recognized between 4 and 5 years
of which to be recognized after more than 5 years
B 6/1
2,107
281
266
220
163
155
1,022
The description above only accounts for customer contracts with an original contractual term of more than
one year.
The change in contract liabilities between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2018, was due to the fol-
lowing factors:
Roll Forward of Contract Liabilities
€ million
Contract liability balance as of Jan. 1, 2018
Changes due to business combinations
Additions
Revenue recognized in the current year that was included in the contract liability balance as of Jan. 1
Revenue recognized in the current year that was not included in the contract liability balance as of Jan. 1
Exchange differences
Contract liability balance as of Dec. 31, 2018
B 6/2
1,530
418
5,845
(770)
(2,782)
(20)
4,221
Contract liabilities mainly result from advance payments by customers for product deliveries and are pre-
dominantly recognized as sales within one year. In connection with the acquisition of Monsanto, certain
Crop Science businesses were transferred to BASF. Portions of the purchase price were recognized as
contract liabilities since certain payment components were not yet earned. Further significant amounts of
contract liabilities comprised milestone payments already received for right-to-access licenses. The con-
tract liabilities relating to these two factors will be recognized as sales over a period of more than five
years.
202
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Income Statements
Bayer Annual Report 2018
7. Other operating income
Other operating income was comprised as follows:
Other Operating Income
€ million
Gains on retirements of noncurrent assets
Reversal of impairment losses on receivables
Reversals of unutilized provisions
Gains from derivatives
Miscellaneous operating income
Total
B 7/1
2018
4,310
184
12
217
334
5,057
2017
173
23
26
291
351
864
Gains on retirements of noncurrent assets included proceeds of €4.1 billion from the sale of certain Crop
Science businesses to BASF in connection with the acquisition of Monsanto (Crop Science segment).
Furthermore, the divestment of several noncore brands at Consumer Health resulted in a gain of
€49 million. The sale of a property in Berlin resulted in a gain of €41 million (Pharmaceuticals segment).
The sale of the U.S. prescription dermatology business to LEO Pharma A/S, Ballerup, Denmark, generat-
ed a further gain of €25 million (Consumer Health segment).
Income from the reversal of impairment losses on receivables primarily resulted from the reversal of im-
pairment losses under IFRS 9 and from improved receivables management in Brazil.
Within miscellaneous operating income, the proportionate assumption of costs by Janssen Research &
Development, LLC, United States, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, in connection with a development
collaboration resulted in income of €189 million (Pharmaceuticals segment).
In the previous year, gains on retirements of noncurrent assets included a gain of €81 million from the
sale of trademark rights (Consumer Health segment). Furthermore, the sale of capitalized transfer rights by
Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH, Germany, resulted in a gain of €49 million (All Other Segments).
8. Other operating expenses
Other operating expenses were comprised as follows:
Other Operating Expenses
€ million
Losses on retirements of noncurrent assets
Impairment losses on receivables
Expenses related to significant legal risks
Losses from derivatives
Miscellaneous operating expenses
Total
B 8/1
2018
(35)
(199)
(677)
(209)
(1,874)
(2,994)
2017
(39)
(139)
(258)
(258)
(254)
(948)
Of the impairment losses on receivables, €75 million (2017: €74 million) pertained to past-due receivables
in Brazil.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
B Consolidated Financial Statements
203
Notes to the Income Statements
Miscellaneous operating expenses included €1,547 million in impairment losses recognized on the goodwill
of Consumer Health, along with donations to charitable causes (all segments) and subsidies for patient
assistance programs with government agencies and partners of health care systems (Pharmaceuticals
segment) in the amount of €123 million (2017: €52 million).
Information on the legal risks can be found in Note [29].
9. Personnel expenses and employee numbers
Personnel expenses for continuing operations rose by €2,020 million to €11,548 million in 2018 (2017:
€9,528 million). The change was mainly due to the higher headcount in connection with the acquisition of
Monsanto.
Personnel Expenses
€ million
Salaries
Social expenses and expenses for pensions and other benefits
of which for defined contribution pension plans
of which for defined benefit and other pension plans
Total
B 9/1
2018
9,192
2,356
495
429
2017
7,567
1,961
488
445
9,528
11,548
The interest portion of the allocation to personnel-related provisions – mainly for pensions and other post-
employment benefits – is included in the financial result under other financial expenses (Note [10.3]).
The average numbers of employees, classified by corporate function, were as shown in the table below:
Employees
Production
Marketing and distribution
Research and development
General administration
Total
Apprentices
B 9/2
2018
44,734
40,295
16,538
9,271
2017
39,298
37,147
13,958
9,359
99,762
110,838
1,918
1,823
The number of employees on either permanent or temporary contracts is stated in full-time equivalents
(FTE), with part-time employees included on a pro-rated basis in line with their contractual working hours.
The figures do not include apprentices.
10. Financial result
The financial result for 2018 was minus €1,596 million (2017: minus €1,326 million), comprising equity-
method income of €68 million (2017: €20 million), financial expenses of €2,574 million (2017:
€1,635 million) and financial income of €910 million (2017: €289 million). Details of the components of the
financial result are provided in the following sections.
204
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Income Statements
Bayer Annual Report 2018
10.1 Income (loss) from investments in affiliated companies
The net income (loss) from investments in affiliated companies was comprised as follows:
Income (Loss) from Investments in Affiliated Companies
€ million
Net income (loss) from investments accounted for using the equity method
(equity-method income / loss)
Expenses
Losses from the sale of investments in affiliated companies
Miscellaneous expenses from investments in affiliated companies
Income
Gains from the sale of investments in affiliated companies
Miscellaneous income from investments in affiliated companies
Total
B 10.1/1
2017
2018
20
(1)
(1)
5
7
30
68
–
(459)
304
–
(87)
Income from investments in affiliated companies accounted for using the equity method primarily com-
prised equity-method income of €103 million (2017: €51 million) from the interest in Covestro, which until
May 2018 was accounted for in the Bayer Group consolidated financial statements as an associate using
the equity method. The other main components of this item were equity-method losses of €26 million
(2017: €15 million) from the BlueRock joint ventures and €22 million (2017: €16 million) from the Casebia
Group.
Miscellaneous expenses from investments in affiliated companies included changes in the fair value of the
remaining interest in Covestro, which has been presented as an equity instrument since May 2018.
Gains from the sale of investments in affiliated companies included the income from the sale of our interest
in Covestro AG, which was accounted for using the equity method.
Further details of the companies accounted for using the equity method are given in Note [16].
10.2 Net interest expense
The net interest expense was comprised as follows:
Net Interest Expense
€ million
Interest and similar expenses
of which interest expense relating to nonfinancial liabilities
Interest and similar income
of which interest income relating to nonfinancial assets
Total
B 10.2/1
2018
(1,386)
(92)
321
65
2017
(685)
(54)
272
96
(413)
(1,065)
The change in the liability of a redeemable noncontrolling interest (IAS 32) is reflected in interest income
or expense. In 2018, a €3 million (2017: €49 million) increase in this liability was recognized as interest
expense.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
B Consolidated Financial Statements
205
Notes to the Income Statements
10.3 Other financial income and expenses
Other financial income and expenses were comprised as follows:
Other Financial Income and Expenses
€ million
Expenses
Interest portion of interest-bearing provisions
Exchange gain (loss)
Miscellaneous financial expenses
Income
Miscellaneous financial income
Total
B 10.3/1
2017
2018
(189)
(326)
(433)
5
(943)
(202)
(271)
(256)
285
(444)
The interest portion of noncurrent provisions comprised €168 million (2017: €191 million) in interest ex-
pense for pension and other post-employment benefit provisions and minus €34 million (2017: €2 million)
in effects of interest expense and interest-rate fluctuations for other provisions and corresponding
overfunding. The interest expense for pension and other post-employment benefit provisions included
€584 million (2017: €539 million) for the unwinding of discount on the present value of the defined benefit
obligation and €416 million (2017: €348 million) in interest income from plan assets.
The miscellaneous financial expenses included €124 million (2017: €210 million) in commitment fees
and other fees related to the syndicated bank financing for the acquisition of Monsanto. The €230 million
in positive fair value changes (2017: €172 million in negative fair value changes) of the debt instruments
(exchangeable bond) issued in June 2017 was recognized in miscellaneous financial income.
11. Taxes
The breakdown of tax expenses by origin was as follows:
Tax Expense by Origin
€ million
Taxes paid or accrued
Current income taxes
Germany
Other countries
Other taxes
Germany
Other countries
2017
Of which
income
taxes
B 11/1
2018
Of which
income
taxes
(794)
(737)
(87)
(118)
(794)
(737)
(1,210)
(1,329)
(1,210)
(1,329)
(75)
(162)
(1,736)
(1,531)
(2,776)
(2,539)
Deferred taxes
from temporary differences
from tax loss and interest carryforwards
and tax credits
70
132
202
Total
(1,534)
(1,329)
70
2,058
2,058
132
202
(126)
1,932
(844)
(126)
1,932
(607)
Other taxes mainly included land, vehicle and other indirect taxes and are reflected in the respective
functional cost items.
206
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Income Statements
Bayer Annual Report 2018
The deferred tax assets and liabilities were allocable to the following items in the statements of
financial position:
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities
€ million
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Financial assets
Inventories
Receivables
Other assets
Provisions for pensions and other post-employment benefits
Other provisions
Liabilities
Tax loss and interest carryforwards
Tax credits
of which noncurrent
Set-off
Total
B 11/2
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2018
Deferred
tax assets
Deferred
tax liabilities
Deferred
tax assets
Deferred
tax liabilities
799
79
204
1,117
60
39
2,520
610
534
486
200
6,648
5,194
(1,733)
4,915
1,469
323
81
15
464
2
367
64
101
–
–
2,886
2,214
(1,733)
1,153
860
451
158
1,405
154
177
2,792
1,580
831
540
483
9,431
7,159
(5,154)
4,278
6,995
882
193
214
568
176
408
54
285
–
–
9,775
8,715
(5,154)
4,621
The use of tax loss carryforwards reduced current income taxes in 2018 by €157 million (2017:
€47 million). The use of tax credits reduced current income taxes by €78 million (2017: €16 million).
Of the total tax loss and interest carryforwards of €8,677 million, including interest carryforwards of
€174 million (2017: €6,443 million, including interest carryforwards of €148 million), an amount of
€4,254 million, including interest carryforwards of €0 million (2017: €2,890 million, including interest carry-
forwards of €1 million) is expected to be usable within a reasonable period. The increase in tax loss and
interest carryforwards mainly resulted from the transfer of tax loss carryforwards from Monsanto, and from
impairments. Deferred tax assets of €540 million (2017: €486 million) were recognized for the amount of
tax loss and interest carryforwards expected to be usable.
The use of €4,442 million of tax loss and interest carryforwards, including interest carryforwards of
€174 million (2017: €3,553 million, including interest carryforwards of €147 million) was subject to legal or
economic restrictions. Consequently, no deferred tax assets were recognized for this amount. If these tax
loss and interest carryforwards had been fully usable, deferred tax assets of €378 million (2017:
€351 million) would have been recognized.
Tax credits of €509 million were recognized in 2018 (2017: €200 million) as deferred tax assets. The
increase in tax credits was mainly due to the acquisition of Monsanto. The use of €32 million (2017:
€28 million) of tax credits was subject to legal or economic restrictions. Consequently, no deferred tax
assets were recognized for this amount.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
B Consolidated Financial Statements
207
Notes to the Income Statements
Expiration of Unusable Tax Credits and of Tax Loss and Interest Carryforwards
B 11/3
€ million
Within one year
Within two years
Within three years
Within four years
Within five years
Thereafter
Total
Tax credits
Tax loss and interest
carryforwards
Dec. 31,
2017
Dec. 31,
2018
Dec. 31,
2017
Dec. 31,
2018
4
–
–
1
19
4
28
1
1
2
2
–
26
32
17
15
114
28
70
3,309
3,553
22
105
222
91
69
3,913
4,422
In 2018, subsidiaries that reported losses for 2018 or 2017 recognized net deferred tax assets totaling
€1,487 million (2017: €2,303 million) from temporary differences and tax loss carryforwards. These assets
were considered to be unimpaired because the companies concerned were expected to generate taxable
income in the future.
Deferred tax liabilities of €44 million were recognized in 2018 (2017: €22 million) for planned dividend pay-
ments by subsidiaries. Deferred tax liabilities were not recognized for differences on €15,827 million (2017:
€18,272 million) of retained earnings of subsidiaries because these earnings are to be reinvested for an
indefinite period.
The reconciliation of expected to reported income tax expense (2018: €52 million; 2017: €246 million) and
of the expected to the effective tax rate for the Group was as follows:
Reconciliation of Expected to Actual Income Tax Expense
Expected income tax expense
1 and expected tax rate
1,083
23.7
555
2017
€ million
%
€ million
Reduction in taxes due to tax-free income
Income related to the operating business
Income from affiliated companies and divestment proceeds
First-time recognition of previously unrecognized deferred tax assets on
tax loss and interest carryforwards
Use of tax loss and interest carryforwards on which deferred tax assets
were not previously recognized
Increase in taxes due to non-tax-deductible expenses
Expenses related to the operating business
Impairment losses on investments in affiliated companies
New tax loss and interest carryforwards unlikely to be usable
Existing tax loss and interest carryforwards on which deferred tax assets
were previously recognized but which are unlikely to be usable
Tax income (–) and expenses (+) relating to other periods
Tax effects of changes in tax rates
Other tax effects
(135)
(16)
(31)
(4)
168
–
69
1
(128)
384
(62)
(3.0)
(0.3)
(0.7)
(0.1)
3.7
–
1.5
–
(2.8)
8.4
(1.4)
(216)
(164)
(58)
(11)
215
14
64
76
(42)
(208)
382
B 11/4
2018
%
23.9
(9.3)
(7.1)
(2.5)
(0.5)
9.3
0.6
2.8
3.3
(1.8)
(9.0)
16.5
Actual income tax expense and effective tax rate
1,329
29.0
607
26.2
1 Expected income tax expense is calculated by applying an expected weighted average tax rate to the pre-tax income of the Group.
This average rate was determined on the basis of expected tax rates for the individual Group companies.
208
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Income Statements
Bayer Annual Report 2018
The reported tax expense contains a one-time effect in the amount of €175 million that is due to the inte-
gration of Monsanto into Bayer’s corporate structures, along with an amount of €140 million resulting from
the impairment losses recognized on the goodwill of Consumer Health. The reported tax expense for 2017
contained one-time effects of €455 million in connection with the tax reform in the United States (€409
million from changes in the tax rate and €46 million due to prior-period tax expense).
12. Income / losses attributable to noncontrolling interest
Income attributable to noncontrolling interest amounted to €16 million (2017: €791 million). Losses at-
tributable to noncontrolling interest amounted to €0 million (2017: €33 million). This income primarily relat-
ed to BCS Limited, India. The income and losses in the prior year were mainly attributable to Covestro.
13. Earnings per share
Earnings per share are determined according to IAS 33 by dividing the net income for the period attributa-
ble to Bayer AG stockholders by the weighted average number of shares. As no dilutive financial instru-
ments were in circulation at the end of the reporting period, diluted earnings per share were equivalent to
basic earnings per share.
In April 2018, the Republic of Singapore subscribed to 31 million new Bayer shares through a subsidiary,
for total gross proceeds of €3 billion. The subscription rights of existing stockholders were excluded from
this capital increase. In June 2018, a capital increase with subscription rights for existing stockholders was
implemented, raising around €6 billion in net proceeds. Approximately 74.6 million new shares were is-
sued.
In November 2016, Bayer placed €4 billion in mandatory convertible notes without granting subscription
rights to existing stockholders of the company. According to IAS 33.23, the weighted average number of
shares increases as soon as the notes contract is signed, and this increase must be taken into account in
calculating earnings per share. The new weighted average number of shares is based on the maximum
conversion ratio resulting from the currently applicable minimum conversion price of €83.99. In accordance
with the terms, the minimum conversion price had to be adjusted following the payment of the dividend
and the capital increase with subscription rights. An adjustment is not undertaken for financing expenses
incurred in connection with the mandatory convertible notes because the interest component was recog-
nized outside profit or loss when the notes were placed.
Further details of the mandatory convertible notes and capital increases are provided in Note [21].
Earnings per Share
Income after income taxes
(attributable to Bayer AG stockholders)
of which income after income taxes from continuing
operations (attributable to Bayer AG stockholders)
of which income after income taxes from discontinued
operations (attributable to Bayer AG stockholders)
B 13/1
€ million
Earnings per share (€)
2017
2018
2017
2018
7,336
1,695
3,249
1,695
4,087
–
8.29
3.67
4.62
1.80
1.80
–
Weighted average number of shares
1
885,186,889
940,754,504
1 The weighted average number of shares was restated for all periods prior to June 2018 to reflect the effect of the bonus component of the
subscription rights issued for the June 2018 capital increase.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
B Consolidated Financial Statements
209
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
Notes to the Statements
of Financial Position
14. Goodwill and other intangible assets
Changes in intangible assets in 2018 were as follows:
Changes in Intangible Assets
€ million
Cost of acquisition
or generation,
December 31, 2017
Acquisitions
Capital expenditures
Retirements
Transfers
Transfers (IFRS 5)
Divestments / Changes in scope
of consolidation
Inflation adjustment (IAS 29)
Exchange differences
December 31, 2018
Accumulated amortization
and impairments,
December 31, 2017
Retirements
Amortization and impairment losses
Amortization
Impairment losses
Impairment loss reversals
Transfers
Transfers (IFRS 5)
Divestments / Changes in scope
of consolidation
Inflation adjustment (IAS 29)
Exchange differences
December 31, 2018
Carrying amounts,
December 31, 2018
Carrying amounts,
December 31, 2017
Patents
and
technol-
ogies
Marketing
and
distribution
rights
Trade-
marks
Acquired
goodwill
Production
rights
R&D
projects
Other
rights and
advance
payments
14,751
24,503
12,861
17,152
10,453
3,941
–
–
–
46
(26)
3
(318)
(273)
–
20
737
–
6
498
–
(7)
–
(40)
(4)
–
299
1,911
1,923
845
358
(55)
334
(17)
–
1
50
11
–
–
–
(76)
–
–
(1)
39,693
30,267
14,642
3,427
1,857
–
–
1,547
–
1,547
–
–
–
–
–
9,638
(23)
1,300
1,300
–
–
–
(230)
–
6
47
4,041
(10)
1,477
429
1,048
–
–
(29)
3
–
56
1,283
1,836
(31)
149
138
11
–
–
(8)
–
1
24
–
23
23
–
–
–
(76)
–
–
(1)
1,044
4,637
53
(149)
(280)
(109)
–
–
126
5,322
117
(149)
65
–
65
–
46
–
–
–
–
B 14/1
Total
44,507
51,449
700
(278)
–
(855)
(6)
33
1,733
1,564
360
243
(41)
(57)
(22)
(2)
6
24
2,075
97,283
1,167
18,082
(27)
202
200
2
–
(46)
(24)
–
5
12
(240)
4,763
2,090
2,673
–
–
(367)
3
12
138
1,547
10,738
5,538
1,418
1,782
79
1,289
22,391
38,146
19,529
9,104
2,009
14,751
3,223
6,412
628
75
87
5,243
786
74,892
927
397
26,425
In the Consumer Health segment, an impairment loss of €1,547 million was recognized on goodwill due
especially to a further increase in competition, challenges posed by the transformation of the Consumer
Health business as a result of changes in consumer behavior, and a higher cost of capital. Against this
backdrop, impairment losses were also recognized on other intangible assets, primarily allergy brands
(Claritin™ €584 million, Aerius™ €37 million) and cold medicines (Afrin™ €292 million) acquired in 2014
from Merck & Co. We also recognized impairment losses on skincare brands (Kang Wang™ €78 million
and Pi Kang Wang™ €43 million) acquired in 2014 from Dihon Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd.
210
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
Bayer Annual Report 2018
In the Pharmaceuticals segment, impairment losses were recognized in connection with the termination
of research and development projects, primarily in the field of ophthalmology (€43 million), oncology
(€10 million) and pulmonology / anti-infectives (€8 million).
Details of acquisitions and divestments are provided in Notes [5.2] and [5.3]. The impairment testing
procedure for goodwill and other intangible assets is explained in Note [3].
Changes in intangible assets in 2017 were as follows:
Changes in Intangible Assets (Previous Year)
Patents
and
technol-
ogies
Marketing
and
distribution
rights
Trade-
marks
Acquired
goodwill
Production
rights
R&D
projects
Other
rights and
advance
payments
€ million
Cost of acquisition
or generation,
December 31, 2016
Acquisitions
Capital expenditures
Retirements
Transfers
Transfers (IFRS 5)
Divestments / Changes in scope
of consolidation
Inflation adjustment (IAS 29)
Exchange differences
December 31, 2017
Accumulated amortization
and impairments,
December 31, 2016
Retirements
Amortization and impairment losses
Amortization
Impairment losses
Impairment loss reversals
Transfers
Transfers (IFRS 5)
Divestments / Changes in scope
of consolidation
Exchange differences
December 31, 2017
Carrying amounts,
December 31, 2017
Carrying amounts,
December 31, 2016
1,923
1,044
16,312
13,162
11,045
2,044
2,138
51
–
–
–
–
78
(61)
–
(481)
(123)
(254)
5
(882)
(31)
–
(164)
85
–
(31)
1
(40)
(5)
–
(602)
14,751
12,861
10,453
–
54
(4)
45
(14)
(105)
–
(109)
1,911
4
–
–
–
(118)
(96)
–
(5)
9,312
3,673
1,268
2,027
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(36)
596
596
–
–
–
(86)
(20)
580
369
211
–
–
(39)
(13)
(135)
9,638
(5)
(148)
4,041
14,751
3,223
6,412
16,312
3,850
7,372
(4)
170
133
37
–
1
(9)
(77)
(66)
–
21
21
–
–
–
(118)
(90)
(4)
1,283
1,836
628
776
87
111
887
–
458
(220)
17
(43)
–
–
(55)
235
(201)
98
–
98
–
–
(2)
–
(13)
117
927
652
B 14/2
Total
2,666
48,254
–
167
(365)
(63)
(403)
(322)
–
(116)
1,564
140
757
(681)
–
(1,222)
(813)
5
(1,933)
44,507
1,860
18,375
(356)
228
118
110
–
(1)
(617)
1,693
1,237
456
–
–
(199)
(453)
(295)
(70)
(480)
(436)
1,167
18,082
397
26,425
806
29,879
Bayer Annual Report 2018
B Consolidated Financial Statements
211
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
Goodwill and other intangible assets with an indefinite useful life that are of material significance for the
Bayer Group are allocated to the following cash-generating units or unit groups as of the end of the report-
ing period:
Intangible Assets with an Indefinite Useful Life
Reporting segment
Pharmaceuticals
Consumer Health
Crop Science
Animal Health
B 14/3
Material intangible
assets with
indefinite useful life
(€ million)
510
32
4,788
21
Goodwill
(€ million)
7,247
4,274
26,528
97
Cash-generating
unit / unit group
Pharmaceuticals
Consumer Care
Crop Science
Animal Health
In the case of research and development projects, the point in time from which a capitalized asset can be
expected to generate an economic benefit for the company cannot be determined. Such assets are there-
fore classified as having an indefinite useful life. Research and development projects were capitalized at a
total amount of €5,243 million as of the end of 2018 (2017: €927 million).
Another intangible asset classified as having an indefinite useful life is the Bayer Cross, which was reac-
quired for the North America region in 1994, having been awarded to the United States and Canada under
the reparations agreements at the end of the First World War. The period for which the Bayer Group will
derive an economic benefit from this name cannot be determined as Bayer intends to make continuous
use of it. The Bayer Cross is capitalized at €108 million.
212
B Consolidated Financial Statement
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
Bayer Annual Report 2018
15. Property, plant and equipment
Changes in property, plant and equipment in 2018 were as follows:
Changes in Property, Plant and Equipment
€ million
Cost of acquisition or construction,
December 31, 2017
Acquisitions
Capital expenditures
Retirements
Transfers
Transfers (IFRS 5)
Divestments / Changes in the scope
of consolidation
Inflation adjustment (IAS 29)
Exchange differences
December 31, 2018
Accumulated depreciation
and impairments,
December 31, 2017
Retirements
Depreciation and impairment losses
Depreciation
Impairment losses
Impairment loss reversals
Transfers
Transfers (IFRS 5)
Divestments / Changes in the scope
of consolidation
Inflation adjustment (IAS 29)
Exchange differences
December 31, 2018
Carrying amounts, December 31, 2018
Carrying amounts, December 31, 2017
Plant
installations
and
machinery
Furniture,
fixtures and
other
equipment
Construction
in progress
and advance
payments
Land and
buildings
6,706
2,209
196
(79)
370
(356)
(2)
63
88
8,646
2,167
378
(370)
704
(329)
–
58
79
1,721
318
183
(174)
49
(79)
4
13
1
1,763
961
1,108
(6)
(1,123)
170
1
10
11
B 15/1
Total
18,836
5,655
1,865
(629)
–
(594)
3
144
179
9,195
11,333
2,036
2,895
25,459
3,661
6,267
1,256
(39)
473
316
157
–
4
(116)
–
34
28
4,045
5,150
3,046
(353)
802
752
50
–
7
(101)
–
46
26
6,694
4,639
2,380
(150)
235
233
2
–
(11)
(47)
2
10
(4)
1,291
745
466
19
(6)
471
–
471
–
–
–
–
–
1
485
2,410
1,744
11,203
(548)
1,981
1,301
680
–
–
(264)
2
90
51
12,515
12,944
7,636
Impairment losses on property, plant and equipment amounted to €680 million, including in particular
€519 million resulting from the decision regarding Factor VIII facilities in Wuppertal and Berkeley in
the Pharmaceuticals segment, along with €132 million pertaining to a Chinese production facility in the
Consumer Health segment.
In 2018, borrowing costs of €56 million (2017: €31 million) were capitalized as components of the cost of
acquisition or construction of qualifying assets, applying an average interest rate of 3.5% (2017: 2.5%).
Capitalized property, plant and equipment included assets with a total net value of €353 million (2017:
€231 million) held under finance leases. The cost of acquisition or construction of these assets as of the
closing date totaled €511 million (2017: €368 million). They comprised buildings with a carrying amount of
€136 million (2017: €98 million), plant installations and machinery with a carrying amount of €151 million
(2017: €75 million), and other property, plant and equipment with a carrying amount of €66 million (2017:
€58 million). For information on the liabilities arising from finance leases, see Note [24].
In 2018, rental payments of €565 million (2017: €385 million) were made for assets leased under operating
leases as defined in IAS 17 (Leases).
Bayer Annual Report 2018
B Consolidated Financial Statements
213
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
Sublease agreements exist primarily for company cars and accommodation for employees on overseas
assignments. Minimum lease payments expected to be received under these subleases in the future
amount to €30 million, while the rental expenses thereunder in 2018 amounted to €26 million.
Through its acquisition of Monsanto, Bayer acquired a property that was transferred to the County of
St. Louis, Missouri, United States, in 2013 in return for industrial revenue bonds. This property was then
leased back to Monsanto through December 31, 2026. A buyback option exists at the end of the rental
period. In view of the economic substance of the agreement, the rental payment obligations are netted
against the right to receive payment from the industrial revenue bonds in the statement of financial posi-
tion.
Bayer leases buildings under operating leases, some of which Bayer can extend when the original term of
the lease expires. Of these leases, some contain an early termination option that in certain cases involves a
compensation payment. Some leases are subject to price adjustments based on the market rates prevail-
ing at the time or due to changes in the value of regional price indices.
Changes in property, plant and equipment in 2017 were as follows:
Changes in Property, Plant and Equipment (Previous Year)
€ million
Cost of acquisition or construction,
December 31, 2016
Acquisitions
Capital expenditures
Retirements
Transfers
Transfers (IFRS 5)
Divestments / Changes in the scope of
consolidation
Inflation adjustment (IAS 29)
Exchange differences
December 31, 2017
Accumulated depreciation
and impairments,
December 31, 2016
Retirements
Depreciation and impairment losses
Depreciation
Impairment losses
Impairment loss reversals
Transfers
Transfers (IFRS 5)
Divestments / Changes in the scope of
consolidation
Exchange differences
December 31, 2017
Carrying amounts, December 31, 2017
Carrying amounts, December 31, 2016
Plant
installations
and
machinery
Furniture,
fixtures and
other
equipment
Construction
in progress
and advance
payments
Land and
buildings
B 15/2
Total
10,346
20,335
2,297
2,551
35,529
–
286
(82)
282
(498)
–
460
(304)
699
(601)
(3,167)
(11,059)
5
(466)
6,706
–
(884)
8,646
–
193
(143)
52
(66)
(500)
–
(112)
1,721
–
1,022
–
(1,033)
(240)
(455)
–
(82)
1,763
–
1,961
(529)
–
(1,405)
(15,181)
5
(1,544)
18,836
5,592
15,111
1,685
27
22,415
(60)
334
310
24
(7)
6
(82)
(1,923)
(199)
3,661
3,045
4,754
(280)
893
860
33
(6)
4
(214)
(8,631)
(610)
6,267
2,379
5,224
(125)
223
222
1
–
(1)
(31)
(420)
(75)
1,256
465
612
–
5
–
5
–
(9)
–
(1)
(3)
19
1,744
2,524
(465)
1,455
1,392
63
(13)
–
(327)
(10,975)
(887)
11,203
7,633
13,114
Investment property
The total carrying amount of investment property as of December 31, 2018, was €96 million (December 31,
2017: €97 million). The fair value of this property was €383 million (2017: €336 million). The rental income
from investment property was €14 million (2017: €14 million), and the operating expenses directly allocable
to this property amounted to €5 million (2017: €4 million).
214
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
Bayer Annual Report 2018
16. Investments accounted for using the equity method
Five (2017: four) associates and 10 (2017: eight) joint ventures were accounted for in the
consolidated financial statements using the equity method. A list of these companies is available at
www.bayer.com/shareownership2018.
The following table contains a summary of the aggregated income statement data and aggregated carrying
amounts of the associates and joint ventures accounted for using the equity method (excluding the
Covestro Group):
B 16/1
Earnings Data and Carrying Amounts of Companies Accounted for Using the
Equity Method
€ million
Income after income taxes
Other comprehensive income after income taxes
Total comprehensive income after income taxes
Share of income after income taxes
Share of total comprehensive income after income taxes
Carrying amount as of December 31
Associates
Joint ventures
2017
2018
2017
2018
7
28
35
1
29
37
(2)
30
28
(1)
17
95
(48)
–
(48)
(32)
(32)
343
(75)
–
(75)
(34)
(34)
420
Information on the Covestro Group
The Covestro Group was deconsolidated at the end of the third quarter of 2017, and, in view of Bayer’s
remaining significant influence, was then recognized for the first time as an associate and accounted for
using the equity method. The equity-method carrying amount recognized at that time was €3.6 billion.
In the first quarter of 2018, Bayer sold 21.0 million shares of Covestro AG to institutional investors at a
price of €86.25 per share. In the second quarter of 2018, Bayer sold a further 28.81 million shares of
Covestro AG to institutional investors at a price of €75.50. In addition, 13.79 million shares of Covestro AG
were acquired from Bayer Pension Trust e. V., which no longer holds any Covestro shares. Bayer AG now
holds a 7.5% interest in Covestro to service the exchangeable bond issued in 2017 that matures in 2020.
The total gain from the disposals in 2018 amounted to €304 million.
Through May 2018, the Covestro interest was accounted for in the Bayer Group consolidated financial
statements as an associate using the equity method. The share disposals outlined in the previous para-
graph led to the loss of significant influence on the financial and business policy decisions of Covestro.
This in turn resulted in a change in the accounting method applied. Since May 2018, Bayer has reported
the Covestro interest as an equity instrument, with changes in its fair value recognized through profit and
loss.
In 2018, the equity-method income of the Covestro Group amounted to €103 million (2017: €51 million),
while its carrying amount was €0 (2017: €3,627 million).
Bayer Annual Report 2018
B Consolidated Financial Statements
215
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
17. Other financial assets
The other financial assets were comprised as follows:
Other Financial Assets
€ million
LaR
1
AfS
1
of which debt instruments
of which equity instruments
HtM
1
AC
2
FVTPL2
of which debt instruments
of which equity instruments
FVTOCI
2
of which equity instruments (no recycling)
Receivables from derivatives
Receivables under lease agreements
Total
1 Measurement category in accordance with IAS 39; applicable until December 31, 2017
AfS: available for sale; at fair value through other comprehensive income
HtM: held to maturity; at amortized cost
LaR: loans and receivables; at amortized cost
2 Measurement category in accordance with IFRS 9; applicable as of January 1, 2018
AC: at amortized cost
FVTOCI: at fair value through other comprehensive income
FVTPL: at fair value through profit or loss
B 17/1
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2018
Of which
current
Total
Of which
current
Total
1,718
2,728
2,463
265
57
–
–
–
–
–
–
1,501
1,502
1,499
3
15
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
430
2,355
1,759
596
330
330
253
10
–
–
–
–
–
285
665
665
–
–
–
216
–
647
13
509
2
5,163
3,529
3,378
1,166
The AC category included €270 million (2017, LaR category: €1,390 million) in bank deposits. No material
impairment losses were recognized for expected credit losses in 2018.
The debt instruments in the FVTPL category included capital of €643 million (2017, AfS category:
€605 million) provided to Bayer-Pensionskasse VVaG (Bayer-Pensionskasse) for its effective initial fund,
and jouissance right capital (Genussrechtskapital) of €152 million (2017, AfS category: €152 million), also
provided to Bayer-Pensionskasse. Also reported in this category were investments of €598 million (2017,
AfS category: €1,497 million) in money market funds.
The equity instruments in the FVTPL category comprised the interest in Covestro AG.
The equity instruments in the FVTOCI category comprised the following investments:
Equity Instruments Measured at Fair Value Through Other Comprehensive Income
B 17/2
Company name
CRISPR Therapeutics AG, Switzerland
Innovative Seed Solutions LLC, U.S.A.
Flagship Ventures Fund V, L.P., U.S.A.
Medopad Ltd., U.K.
Hokusan Co. Ltd., Japan
Other investments
Total
Fair value as of
1
Dec. 31, 2017
Fair value as of
Dec. 31, 2018
101
–
12
–
6
146
265
143
41
20
13
12
101
330
1 In 2017, equity instruments were recognized in the AfS category in accordance with IAS 39.
No material equity investments were deconsolidated in 2018 and no material dividends were received.
Further information on the accounting for receivables from derivatives is given in Note [27].
216
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
Bayer Annual Report 2018
18. Inventories
Inventories were comprised as follows:
Inventories
€ million
Raw materials and supplies
Work in process, finished goods and goods purchased for resale
Rights of return
Advance payments
Total
B 18/1
Dec. 31,
2017
Dec. 31,
2018
1,761
4,776
–
13
6,550
2,541
7,205
85
1,130
10,961
Inventories increased by €4,411 million, mainly due to the acquisition of Monsanto.
Impairment losses recognized on inventories were reflected in the cost of goods sold. They were com-
prised as follows:
Impairments of Inventories
€ million
Accumulated impairment losses, January 1
Divestments / changes in the scope of consolidation
Impairment losses in the reporting period
Impairment loss reversals or utilization
Exchange differences
Transfers (IFRS 5)
B 18/2
2018
(331)
–
(240)
321
24
95
2017
(416)
13
(235)
261
45
1
Accumulated impairment losses, December 31
(331)
(131)
19. Trade accounts receivable
Trade accounts receivable less impairment losses amounted to €11,836 million (2017: €8,582 million) on
the closing date and were comprised as follows: This increase was attributable to the acquired Monsanto
business. There are significant concentrations in the following regions and countries:
Trade Accounts Receivable
€ million
North America
of which U.S.A.
Europe / Middle East / Africa
of which Germany
Asia / Pacific
Latin America
of which Brazil
Trade accounts receivable (before impairments)
Accumulated impairment losses
Carrying amount, December 31
of which noncurrent
B 19/1
2018
3,248
3,066
3,764
1,202
2,054
3,413
1,952
12,479
(643)
11,836
665
2017
1,379
1,291
3,488
1,365
1,648
2,492
1,668
9,007
(425)
8,582
97
Noncurrent trade accounts receivable comprised receivables of €540 million in connection with rights
to use technologies that were outlicensed to a customer acquired through the acquisition of Monsanto.
Beyond this, there are no material concentrations of individual customers.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
B Consolidated Financial Statements
217
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
The gross carrying amounts of trade accounts receivable were broken down as follows:
Trade Accounts Receivable – Gross Carrying Amounts
€ million
Trade accounts
receivable for which
lifetime expected
credit losses
are calculated
(collectively assessed)
Trade accounts
receivable that are
credit-impaired
Gross carrying amounts as of January 1, 2018
8,209
Changes resulting from trade accounts receivable
recognized, derecognized or written-off in the
reporting period
Transfer to credit-impaired trade accounts receivable
Other changes:
From acquisitions / divestments
From exchange differences
Gross carrying amounts as of December 31, 2018
(1,714)
(367)
6,015
(276)
11,867
Credit losses on trade accounts receivable were as follows:
Trade Accounts Receivable – Loss Allowances
798
(535)
367
16
(34)
612
€ million
Loss allowances as of January 1, 2018
Changes resulting from loss allowances newly
recognized or derecognized in the reporting period
and additions / reductions to existing loss allowances
Changes due to write-offs
Transfer to loss allowances for credit-impaired trade
accounts receivable
Other changes:
From changes in the scope of consolidation
From exchange differences
Loss allowances as of December 31, 2018
Lifetime expected
credit losses
(collectively assessed)
Trade accounts
receivable that are
credit-impaired
113
23
(106)
101
(19)
112
405
78
(27)
106
16
(47)
531
B 19/2
Total
9,007
(2,249)
–
6,031
(310)
12,479
B 19/3
Total
518
101
(27)
–
117
(66)
643
Receivables from government health service institutions, especially in Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain, are
under special observation in view of the government debt crisis. Although there were no material defaults
on such receivables in 2018 or 2017, it is possible that future developments in these countries could result
in payment delays and/or defaults. This could necessitate the recognition of impairment losses due to new
occurrences. Trade accounts receivable from government health service institutions in the above countries
at the end of 2018 totaled €103 million (2017: €102 million).
An excess-of-loss policy exists for the Pharmaceuticals, Consumer Health and Animal Health segments as
part of a global credit insurance program. More than 80% of the receivables of these segments are insured
up to a maximum total annual compensation payment of €150 million (2017: €150 million). A global ex-
cess-of-loss policy is in place for the Crop Science segment (excluding the newly acquired Monsanto busi-
ness). In this global credit insurance program, more than 80% of this segment’s receivables are insured up
to a maximum total annual compensation payment of €300 million (2017: €300 million). Local credit insur-
ance contracts are in place in certain countries for the newly acquired Monsanto business.
A further €992 million (2017: €696 million) of receivables was secured by advance payments, letters of
credit or guarantees or by liens on land, buildings or harvest yields.
218
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
Bayer Annual Report 2018
20. Other receivables
Other receivables were comprised as follows:
Other Receivables
€ million
Other tax receivables
Deferred charges
Reimbursement claims
Net defined benefit asset
Receivables from employees
Miscellaneous receivables
Total
B 20/1
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2018
Total
554
298
85
36
47
656
1,676
Of which
current
541
192
71
–
46
426
1,276
Total
794
390
84
84
46
988
2,386
Of which
current
734
344
80
–
46
671
1,875
Other receivables are stated net of impairment losses of €71 million (2017: €70 million), of which €66 mil-
lion related to tax reimbursement claims that were impaired in 2018. The prior-year figure included an
impairment loss recognized on a receivable in the amount of €67 million from the Venezuelan exchange
control authority reflecting the right to receive U.S. dollars at a preferential rate.
21. Equity
The foremost objectives of our financial management are to help bring about a sustained increase in
Bayer’s value for the benefit of all stakeholders and to ensure the Group’s creditworthiness and liquidity.
The pursuit of these goals means reducing our cost of capital, optimizing our capital structure, improving
our financing cash flow and effectively managing risk.
Due to the acquisition of Monsanto, the contracted rating agencies have adjusted their ratings and now
assess Bayer as follows: S & P Global gives Bayer a long-term rating of BBB and a short-term rating of
A-2 with stable outlook. Moody’s gives a Baa1 / P-2 with negative outlook and Fitch an A- / F2 with stable
outlook. These investment grade ratings from all three agencies reflect the company’s high solvency and
ensure access to a broad investor base for financing purposes. Our stated aim is to also achieve the single
“A” rating category in the long term from S & P Global Ratings and Moody’s.
Apart from utilizing cash inflows from our operating business to reduce net financial debt, we are imple-
menting our financial strategy by way of vehicles such as the subordinated hybrid bonds issued in July
2014 and April 2015, the mandatory convertible notes issued in November 2016, the authorized and con-
ditional capital, and a potential share buyback program.
On April 16, 2018, the Republic of Singapore subscribed to 31 million new Bayer shares through a subsid-
iary, at an issue price close to market prices (for total gross proceeds of €3.0 billion). This corresponded to
around 3.6% of the capital stock as of the acquisition date. The transaction increased Temasek’s interest
in Bayer AG to approximately 4%. This capital increase against cash contributions excluded the subscrip-
tion rights of existing shareholders.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
B Consolidated Financial Statements
219
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
On June 3, 2018, with the consent of the Supervisory Board, the Board of Management of Bayer AG
resolved to execute a capital increase out of authorized capital against cash contributions and with sub-
scription rights for existing Bayer stockholders. For this purpose, Bayer issued 74,604,156 new registered
(no-par value) shares with an entitlement to dividends as of January 1, 2018.
For every 23 Bayer shares they held, stockholders were able to acquire two new shares at a subscription
price of €81.00 per new share by way of indirect subscription rights. This option was exercised for
73,343,177 shares. The 1,261,039 shares not subscribed to were purchased by institutional investors at
an average placement price of €96.6437 per share under a private placement. After deducting transaction
costs, net proceeds totaled €6 billion.
Together with the mandatory convertible notes issued in November 2016, the two capital increases com-
pleted the equity component, announced in September 2016, to finance the acquisition of Monsanto.
Capital stock
The capital stock of Bayer AG on December 31, 2018, amounted to €2,387 million (2017: €2,117 million),
divided into 932,551,964 (2017: 826,947,808) registered no-par shares, and was fully paid in. Each no-par
share confers one voting right.
Authorized and conditional capital
The authorized and conditional capital was comprised as follows:
Authorized and Conditional Capital
Capital
Resolution
Amount / shares
Expires
Purpose
B 21/1
Authorized
capital I
Authorized
capital II
April 29, 2014
€530 million
April 28, 2019
April 29, 2014
€212 million
April 28, 2019
Conditional
capital
April 29, 2014
€212 million /
up to
82,694,750 no-par
shares
April 28, 2019
Increase the capital stock by issuing new
no-par shares against cash contributions
and / or contributions in kind, the latter
not to exceed €423 million
Increase the capital stock by issuing new
no-par shares against cash contributions
Increase the capital stock by granting
no-par shares to the holders of bonds
with warrants or convertible notes, profit
participation certificates or income
bonds; the authorizations to issue such
instruments are limited to a total nominal
amount of €6 billion.
220
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Capital increases are effected by issuing new, registered no-par shares. Stockholders must normally be
granted subscription rights. However, subscription rights may be excluded under certain conditions stated
in the authorization resolution. Absent a further resolution by the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting on the
exclusion of stockholders’ subscription rights, the Board of Management will only use the existing authori-
zations to increase the capital stock out of the authorized capital or the conditional capital – while exclud-
ing stockholders’ subscription rights – up to a total amount of 20% of the capital stock that existed when
the respective resolutions were adopted by the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting on April 29, 2014. All issu-
ances or sales of no-par shares or of bonds with warrants or conversion rights or obligations that are
effected while excluding stockholders’ subscription rights also count toward this 20% limit. Details of the
authorized and conditional capital are provided in the Notice of the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting of
April 29, 2014, and on the Bayer website.
The capital increase resolved on June 3, 2018, and implemented thereafter entailed the utilization of
€191 million out of authorized capital I. The amount of authorized capital I still available as of December
31, 2018, was therefore €339 million.
The capital increase implemented on April 16, 2018, resulted in the utilization of €79 million out of author-
ized capital II. The amount of authorized capital II still available as of December 31, 2018, was therefore
€133 million.
On November 22, 2016, Bayer placed mandatory convertible notes in the amount of €4.0 billion without
granting subscription rights to existing stockholders of the company. The notes, denominated in units of
€100,000, were issued by Bayer Capital Corporation B.V., Netherlands, under the subordinated guarantee
of Bayer AG. At maturity, the outstanding amount of the notes will be mandatorily converted into registered
no-par shares of Bayer AG. The proceeds were the subject of an intra-Group transfer to Bayer AG. The
mandatory convertible notes are reflected in payables to subsidiaries until maturity. The issuance of the
mandatory convertible notes constituted a utilization of conditional capital.
Accumulated comprehensive income
Accumulated comprehensive income comprises retained earnings and accumulated other comprehensive
income. The retained earnings comprise prior years’ undistributed income of consolidated companies and
all remeasurements of the net defined benefit liability for pension or other post-employment benefits that
are recognized outside profit or loss. The accumulated other comprehensive income comprises exchange
differences, the changes in fair values of cash flow hedges and equity instruments (until 2017: changes in
fair values of available-for-sale financial assets), the revaluation surplus and reserves for the change in the
company’s own credit risk. In 2018, an amount of €4 million (2017: €4 million) corresponding to the annual
amortization / depreciation of the respective assets was transferred from the revaluation surplus to retained
earnings.
Dividend
Under the German Stock Corporation Act (AktG), the dividend payment is determined by the distributable
profit reported in the annual financial statements of Bayer AG, which are prepared according to the
German Commercial Code. Retained earnings were diminished by payment of the dividend of €2.80 per
share for 2017. The proposed dividend for the 2018 fiscal year is €2.80 per share, which – based on the
current number of shares – would result in a total dividend payment of €2,611 million. Payment of the
proposed dividend is contingent upon approval by the stockholders at the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting
and therefore is not recognized as a liability in the consolidated financial statements.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
B Consolidated Financial Statements
221
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
Equity attributable to non-controlling interest
The changes in noncontrolling interest in equity during 2017 and 2018 are shown in the following table:
Changes in Noncontrolling Interest in Equity
€ million
January 1
Changes in equity not recognized in profit or loss
Remeasurements of the net liability under defined benefit pension plans
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges
Changes in fair value of securities
Exchange differences on translation of operations outside the eurozone
Other changes in equity
Dividend payments
Income after income taxes
December 31
B 21/2
2018
60
(1)
–
–
(7)
108
(5)
16
171
2017
1,564
49
–
–
(155)
(2,025)
(131)
758
60
As of December 31, 2018, there were two principal subsidiaries with third-party noncontrolling interest
holders: Bayer CropScience Limited, India, where the interest and share of voting rights attributable to
noncontrolling interest amounted to 31.3% as of December 31, 2018 (December 31, 2017: 31.3%), and
the equity attributable to this noncontrolling interest stood at €42 million (2017: €52 million); and Monsanto
India Ltd, India, where the interest and share of voting rights attributable to noncontrolling interest amount-
ed to 20.6% as of December 31, 2018, and the equity attributable to this noncontrolling interest stood at
€121 million.
22. Provisions for pensions and other post-employment
benefits
Provisions were established for defined benefit obligations pertaining to pensions and other post-
employment benefits. The net liability was accounted for as follows:
Net Defined Benefit Liability Reflected in the Statement of Financial Position
Pensions
Other post-employment
benefits
B 22/1
Total
€ million
Provisions for pensions and other post-
employment benefits (net liability)
of which Germany
of which other countries
Net defined benefit asset
of which Germany
of which other countries
Net defined benefit liability
of which Germany
of which other countries
Dec. 31,
2017
Dec. 31,
2018
Dec. 31,
2017
Dec. 31,
2018
Dec. 31,
2017
Dec. 31,
2018
7,798
6,778
1,020
36
22
14
7,762
6,756
1,006
8,445
7,215
1,230
83
23
60
8,362
7,192
1,170
222
–
222
–
–
–
222
–
222
272
–
272
1
–
1
271
–
271
8,020
6,778
1,242
36
22
14
7,984
6,756
1,228
8,717
7,215
1,502
84
23
61
8,633
7,192
1,441
Provisions for pensions and other post-employment benefits in the amount of €389 million were assumed
in connection with the acquisition of Monsanto.
222
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
Bayer Annual Report 2018
The expenses for defined benefit plans for pensions and other post-employment benefits comprised the
following components:
Expenses for Defined Benefit Plans
B 22/2
Pension plans
Other post-employment
benefit plans
€ million
Current service cost
Past service cost
of which plan
curtailments
Plan settlements
Plan administration
cost paid out of plan
assets
Net interest
Total
Germany
Other countries
2017
312
20
–
–
3
135
470
2018
295
11
–
–
3
124
433
2017
93
(3)
(2)
8
1
43
142
2018
132
(22)
(48)
–
3
30
143
2017
405
17
(2)
8
4
178
612
Total
2018
427
(11)
(48)
–
6
154
576
Other countries
2017
2018
13
(2)
(2)
–
–
13
24
13
(6)
(6)
–
–
14
21
In addition, a total of minus €612 million (2017: €1,236 million) in effects of remeasurements of the net
defined benefit liability was recognized in 2018 outside profit or loss. Of this amount, minus €654 million
(2017: €1,223 million) related to pension obligations, €34 million (2017: €1 million) to other post-
employment benefit obligations, and €8 million (2017: €12 million) to the effects of the asset ceiling. The
plan curtailments totaling €54 million (2017: €2 million) were primarily effected in the United States, where
they mainly pertained to a former Monsanto plan.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
B Consolidated Financial Statements
223
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
The net defined benefit liability developed as follows:
Changes in Net Defined Benefit Liability
€ million
Germany
January 1, 2018
Acquisitions
Divestments / changes in the scope of consolidation
Current service cost
Past service cost
Net interest
Net actuarial gain / (loss)
of which due to changes in financial parameters
of which due to changes in demographic parameters
of which due to experience adjustments
Return on plan assets excluding amounts recognized as interest income
Employer contributions
Employee contributions
Payments due to plan settlements
Benefits paid out of plan assets
Benefits paid by the company
Plan administration cost paid from plan assets
Reclassification to current assets / liabilities held for sale
December 31, 2018
Other countries
January 1, 2018
Acquisitions
Divestments / changes in the scope of consolidation
Current service cost
Past service cost
Gains / (losses) from plan settlements
Net interest
Net actuarial gain / (loss)
of which due to changes in financial parameters
of which due to changes in demographic parameters
of which due to experience adjustments
Return on plan assets excluding amounts recognized as interest income
Remeasurement of asset ceiling
Employer contributions
Employee contributions
Payments due to plan settlements
Benefits paid out of plan assets
Benefits paid by the company
Plan administration costs paid out of plan assets
Reclassification to current assets / liabilities held for sale
Exchange differences
December 31, 2018
of which other post-employment benefits
Total, December 31, 2018
Defined
benefit
obligation
Fair value
of plan
assets
Effects of
the asset
ceiling
–
–
–
–
(17,837)
11,081
(18)
–
(295)
(11)
(333)
(62)
175
(232)
(5)
(35)
(53)
201
424
71
–
–
209
(498)
141
35
38
(201)
(3)
(46)
B 22/3
Net
defined
benefit
liability
(6,756)
(18)
–
(295)
(11)
(124)
(62)
175
(232)
(5)
(498)
141
–
(15)
–
424
(3)
25
(17,948)
10,756
–
(7,192)
(31)
(1,228)
210
(3)
(6,655)
(2,384)
–
(145)
28
–
(251)
423
448
42
(67)
(15)
(87)
350
148
145
(178)
(8,621)
(700)
5,458
2,192
–
(483)
75
15
65
(350)
(3)
(79)
103
7,203
429
(26,569)
17,959
(192)
–
(145)
28
–
(44)
423
448
42
(67)
(483)
8
75
–
(22)
–
148
(3)
66
(72)
(1,441)
(271)
(8,633)
8
–
3
(23)
–
(23)
224
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Changes in Net Defined Benefit Liability (Previous Year)
€ million
Germany
January 1, 2017
Acquisitions
Divestments / changes in the scope of consolidation
Current service cost
Past service cost
Net interest
Net actuarial gain / (loss)
of which due to changes in financial parameters
of which due to changes in demographic parameters
of which due to experience adjustments
Return on plan assets excluding amounts recognized as interest income
Employer contributions
Employee contributions
Payments due to plan settlements
Benefits paid out of plan assets
Benefits paid by the company
Plan administration cost paid from plan assets
Reclassification to current assets / liabilities held for sale
December 31, 2017
Other countries
January 1, 2017
Acquisitions
Divestments / changes in the scope of consolidation
Current service cost
Past service cost
Gains / (losses) from plan settlements
Net interest
Net actuarial gain / (loss)
of which due to changes in financial parameters
of which due to changes in demographic parameters
of which due to experience adjustments
Return on plan assets excluding amounts recognized as interest income
Remeasurement of asset ceiling
Employer contributions
Employee contributions
Payments due to plan settlements
Benefits paid out of plan assets
Benefits paid by the company
Plan administration costs paid out of plan assets
Reclassification to current assets / liabilities held for sale
Exchange differences
December 31, 2017
of which other post-employment benefits
Total, December 31, 2017
Covestro is included in the net defined benefit liability.
Defined
benefit
obligation
Fair value
of plan
assets
Effects of
the asset
ceiling
–
–
–
–
(20,962)
11,809
–
–
3,021
(2,075)
(368)
(32)
(358)
206
180
(1)
27
(39)
–
216
441
38
208
755
593
39
–
(216)
(3)
(29)
B 22/4
Net
defined
benefit
liability
(9,153)
–
946
(368)
(32)
(150)
206
180
(1)
27
755
593
–
–
–
441
(3)
9
(17,837)
11,081
–
(6,756)
(8,033)
6,127
(49)
(1,955)
–
840
(109)
8
(8)
(244)
(166)
(191)
21
4
(14)
32
300
94
10
635
(6,655)
(671)
–
(589)
–
3
183
(3)
429
125
14
(41)
(300)
(1)
(8)
(481)
5,458
449
12
–
6
–
254
(109)
8
(8)
(64)
(166)
(191)
21
4
429
12
125
–
(9)
–
94
(1)
2
160
(31)
(1,228)
(222)
(24,492)
16,539
(31)
(7,984)
The benefit obligations pertained mainly to Germany (68%; 2017: 73%), the United States (19%; 2017:
12%) and the United Kingdom (7%; 2017: 8%). In Germany, current employees accounted for about 43%
(2017: 43%), retirees or their surviving dependents for about 50% (2017: 50%) and former employees with
vested pension rights for about 7% (2017: 7%) of entitlements under defined benefit plans. In the United
Bayer Annual Report 2018
B Consolidated Financial Statements
225
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
States, current employees accounted for about 30% (2017: 21%), retirees or their surviving dependents for
about 56% (2017: 65%) and former employees with vested pension rights for about 14% (2017: 14%) of
entitlements under defined benefit plans.
The actual return on the assets of defined benefit plans for pensions or other post-employment benefits
amounted to minus €537 million (2017: €1,517 million) and minus €24 million (2017: €58 million), respec-
tively.
The following table shows the defined benefit obligations for pensions and other post-employment benefits
along with the funded status of the funded obligations.
Defined Benefit Obligation and Funded Status
€ million
Defined benefit obligation
of which unfunded
of which funded
Funded status of funded obligations
Overfunding
Underfunding
Pension obligation
Other post-
employment
benefit obligation
2017
2018
2017
2018
2017
B 22/5
Total
2018
23,821
25,869
1,117
1,244
22,704
24,625
67
106
6,681
7,196
671
64
607
–
158
700
136
564
24,492
26,569
1,181
1,380
23,311
25,189
1
67
107
136
6,839
7,332
Pension and other post-employment benefit obligations
Group companies provide retirement benefits for most of their employees, either directly or by contributing
to privately or publicly administered funds. The benefits vary depending on the legal, fiscal and economic
conditions of each country. The obligations relate both to existing retirees’ pensions and to pension enti-
tlements of future retirees.
Bayer has set up funded pension plans for its employees in various countries. The most appropriate in-
vestment strategy is determined for each defined benefit pension plan based on the risk structure of the
obligations (especially demographics, the current funded status, the structure of the expected future cash
flows, interest sensitivity, biometric risks, etc.), the regulatory environment and the existing level of risk
tolerance or risk capacity. A strategic target investment portfolio is then developed in line with the plan’s
risk structure, taking capital market factors into consideration. Further determinants are risk diversification,
portfolio efficiency and the need for both a country-specific and a global risk / return profile centered on
ensuring the payment of all future benefits. As the capital investment strategy for each pension plan is
developed individually in light of the plan-specific conditions listed above, the investment strategies for
different pension plans may vary considerably. The investment strategies are generally aligned less toward
maximizing absolute returns and more toward the maximum probability of being able to finance pension
commitments over the long term. For pension plans, stress scenarios are simulated and other risk analyses
(such as value at risk) undertaken with the aid of risk management systems.
Bayer-Pensionskasse VVaG (Bayer-Pensionskasse), Leverkusen, Germany, is by far the most significant of
the pension plans. It has been closed to new members since 2005. This legally independent fund is re-
garded as a life insurance company and therefore is subject to the German Insurance Supervision Act. The
benefit obligations covered by Bayer-Pensionskasse comprise retirement, surviving dependents’ and dis-
ability pensions. It constitutes a multi-employer plan, to which the active members and their employers
contribute. The company contribution is a certain percentage of the employee contribution. This percent-
age is the same for all participating employers, including those outside the Bayer Group, and is set by
agreement between the plan’s executive committee and its supervisory board, acting on a proposal from
the responsible actuary. It takes into account the differences between the actuarial estimates and the ac-
tual values for the factors used to determine liabilities and contributions. Bayer may also adjust the com-
pany contribution in agreement with the plan’s executive committee and its supervisory board, acting on a
proposal from the responsible actuary. The plan’s liability is governed by Section 1, Paragraph 1, Sentence
3 of the German Law on the Improvement of Occupational Pensions. This means that if the pension plan
226
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
Bayer Annual Report 2018
exercises its right under the articles of association to reduce benefits, each participating employer has to
make up the resulting difference. Bayer is not liable for the obligations of participating employers outside
the Bayer Group, even if they cease to participate in the plan.
Pension entitlements for people who joined Bayer in Germany in 2005 or later are granted via Rheinische
Pensionskasse VVaG, Leverkusen. Future pension payments from this plan are based on contributions and
the return on plan assets; a guaranteed interest rate applies.
Another important pension provision vehicle is Bayer Pension Trust e. V. (BPT). This covers further retire-
ment provision arrangements of the Bayer Group, such as deferred compensation, pension obligations
previously administered by Schering Altersversorgung Treuhand e. V., and components of other direct
commitments.
The defined benefit pension plans in the United States are frozen and no significant new entitlements can
be earned under these plans. The assets of all the U.S. pension plans are held within master trusts for
reasons of efficiency. The applicable regulatory framework is based on the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act (ERISA), which includes a statutory 80% minimum funding requirement to avoid benefit re-
strictions. The actuarial risks, such as investment risk, interest-rate risk and longevity risk, remain with the
company. The defined benefit pension plans in the United Kingdom have been closed to new members for
some years. Plan assets in the U.K. are administered by independent trustees, who are legally obligated
to act solely in the interests of the beneficiaries. A technical assessment is performed every three years in
line with U.K. regulations. This serves as the basis for developing a plan to cover any potential financing
requirements. Here, too, the actuarial risks remain with the company.
The other post-employment benefit obligations outside Germany mainly comprised health care benefit
payments for retirees in the United States.
The fair value of the plan assets to cover pension and other post-employment benefit obligations was as
follows:
Fair Value of Plan Assets as of December 31
B 22/6
Pension obligations
Other post-employment
benefit obligations
Germany
Other countries
Other countries
€ million
2017
2018
2017
2018
2017
2018
Plan assets based on quoted prices
in active markets
Real estate and special real estate funds
Equities and equity funds
Callable debt instruments
Noncallable debt instruments
Bond funds
Derivatives
Cash and cash equivalents
Other
Plan assets for which quoted prices
in active markets are not available
Real estate and special real estate funds
Equities and equity funds
Callable debt instruments
Noncallable debt instruments
Bond funds
Derivatives
Other
–
–
3,617
1,988
–
–
–
–
181
1,739
27
602
214
2,443
27
565
3,737
4,777
1,631
2,592
11
164
–
10
611
–
–
74
–
3
77
25
16
158
–
127
94
–
13
–
15
146
–
124
93
–
9
–
7,529
7,386
4,254
5,946
408
387
496
121
1,399
1,394
–
–
142
3,552
514
143
1,241
1,366
–
–
106
3,370
179
71
–
–
74
–
431
755
296
69
–
–
73
–
390
828
–
–
–
–
–
–
41
41
449
–
–
–
–
–
–
42
42
429
Total plan assets
11,081
10,756
5,009
6,774
Bayer Annual Report 2018
B Consolidated Financial Statements
227
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
The fair value of plan assets in Germany included real estate leased by Group companies, recognized at
a fair value of €82 million (2017: €82 million), and Bayer AG shares and bonds held through investment
funds, recognized at their fair values of €21 million (2017: €37 million) and €6 million (2017: €3 million),
respectively.
In May 2018, Bayer AG acquired 6.8% of Covestro shares from Bayer Pension Trust e. V. (BPT) at market
value for a total amount of €1.1 billion to service the exchangeable bond that matures in 2020.
In 2018, Bayer AG did not deposit any additional shares it held in Covestro AG with BPT (2017: 8 million).
The market value of BPT’s total shareholding in Covestro AG amounted to €0 million as of December 31,
2018 (2017: €1,549 million).
The other plan assets comprised mortgage loans granted, other receivables and qualified insurance policies.
Risks
The risks from defined benefit plans arise partly from the defined benefit obligations and partly from the
investment in plan assets. These risks include the possibility that additional contributions will have to be
made to plan assets in order to meet current and future pension obligations, and negative effects on provi-
sions and equity.
Demographic / biometric risks
Since a large proportion of the defined benefit obligations comprises lifelong pensions or surviving de-
pendents’ pensions, longer claim periods or earlier claims may result in higher benefit obligations, higher
benefit expense and / or higher pension payments than previously anticipated.
Investment risks
If the actual return on plan assets were below the return anticipated on the basis of the discount rate, the
net defined benefit liability would increase, assuming there were no changes in other parameters. This
could happen as a result of a drop in share prices, increases in market rates of interest, default of individu-
al debtors or the purchase of low-risk but low-interest bonds, for example.
Interest-rate risk
A decline in capital market interest rates, especially for high-quality corporate bonds, would increase
the defined benefit obligation. This effect would be at least partially offset by the ensuing increase in the
market values of the debt instruments held.
Measurement parameters and their sensitivities
The following weighted parameters were used to measure the obligations for pensions and other post-
employment benefits as of December 31 of the respective year:
Parameters for Benefit Obligations
%
Pension obligations
Discount rate
of which U.S.A.
of which U.K.
Germany
Other countries
2017
2018
2017
2018
2017
1.90
1.90
2.95
3.40
2.50
3.60
3.25
3.55
4.20
2.80
3.65
3.05
2.15
3.40
2.50
2.95
2.10
B 22/7
Total
2018
2.40
4.20
2.80
3.00
2.05
Projected future salary increases
Projected future benefit increases
2.75
1.70
2.75
1.60
Other post-employment benefit obligations
Discount rate
–
–
4.25
4.85
4.25
4.85
In Germany the Heubeck RT 2018 G mortality tables were used, in the United States the RP-2014
Mortality Tables, and in the United Kingdom 95% of S1NXA.
228
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
Bayer Annual Report 2018
In Germany, the RT 2005 G tables had been used in previous years. However, we switched to the new RT
2018 G tables when they were published as we believe that the resulting measurement reflects the economic
impact on the respective closing date more accurately than measurement based on the RT 2005 G tables.
If we had not switched to the RT 2018 G tables, provisions would have been €232 million lower.
Until May 2018, we applied the Macaulay Duration method when determining the discount rate for measur-
ing pension obligations. However, Bayer decided to switch to the uniform discount rate method in June
2018 because it is used more frequently in the market and is mathematically superior. As of December 31,
2018, both methods resulted in a discount rate of 1.90%.
The following weighted parameters were used to measure the expense for pension and other post-
employment benefits in the respective year:
Parameters for Benefit Expense
%
Pension obligations
Discount rate
Projected future salary increases
Projected future benefit increases
Other post-employment benefit obligations
Germany
Other countries
2017
2018
2017
2018
2017
1.80
2.75
1.50
1.90
2.75
1.70
3.25
3.50
3.35
2.95
3.60
3.25
2.15
2.95
1.95
B 22/8
Total
2018
2.15
2.95
2.10
Discount rate
–
–
4.35
4.25
4.35
4.25
The parameter sensitivities were computed by expert actuaries based on a detailed evaluation similar to
that performed to obtain the data presented in Table B 22/3. Altering individual parameters by 0.5 percent-
age points (mortality by 10% per beneficiary) while leaving the other parameters unchanged would have
impacted pension and other post-employment benefit obligations as of year-end 2018 as follows:
Sensitivity of Benefit Obligations
€ million
Pension obligations
Germany
Other countries
B 22/9
Total
Increase Decrease
Increase Decrease
Increase Decrease
0.5%-pt. change in discount rate
(1,408)
1,608
0.5%-pt. change in projected future salary increases
0.5%-pt. change in projected future benefit increases
10% change in mortality
Other post-employment benefit obligations
0.5%-pt. change in discount rate
10% change in mortality
81
903
(584)
–
–
(76)
(825)
658
–
–
(479)
42
132
(197)
(33)
(18)
536
(40)
(101)
203
36
20
(1,887)
2,144
123
1,035
(781)
(33)
(18)
(116)
(926)
861
36
20
B 22/10
Sensitivity of Benefit Obligations (prior year)
€ million
Pension obligations
Germany
Other countries
Total
Increase Decrease
Increase Decrease
Increase Decrease
0.5%-pt. change in discount rate
(1,417)
1,620
0.5%-pt. change in projected future salary increases
0.5%-pt. change in projected future benefit increases
10% change in mortality
Other post-employment benefit obligations
0.5%-pt. change in discount rate
10% change in mortality
87
921
(587)
–
–
(82)
(841)
660
–
–
(414)
50
146
(172)
(36)
(20)
468
(47)
(110)
176
39
22
(1,831)
2,088
137
1,067
(759)
(36)
(20)
(129)
(951)
836
39
22
Bayer Annual Report 2018
B Consolidated Financial Statements
229
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
Provisions are also established for the obligations, mainly of U.S. subsidiaries, to provide post-employment
benefits in the form of health care cost payments for retirees. The valuation of health care costs was based
on the assumption that they will increase at a rate of 6.3% (2017: 6.5%), which should gradually decline to
5.0% by 2023 (assumption in 2017: gradually decline to 5.0% by 2023). The following table shows the
impact on other post-employment benefit obligations and total benefit expense of a one-percentage-point
change in the assumed cost increase rates:
Sensitivity to Health Care Cost Increases
€ million
Impact on other post-employment benefit obligations
Impact on benefit expense
B 22/11
Increase of one
percentage point
2017
2018
55
3
47
3
Decrease of one
percentage point
2017
(47)
(3)
2018
(41)
(2)
Payments made and expected future payments
The following payments or asset contributions correspond to the employer contributions made or expected
to be made to funded benefit plans:
Employer Contributions Paid or Expected
€ million
Pension obligations
Other post-employment benefit obligations
Total
Germany
2019
expected
132
–
132
2018
141
–
141
2017
146
(21)
125
2017
593
–
593
B 22/12
Other countries
2018
90
(15)
75
2019
expected
79
2
81
Bayer has currently committed to make deficit contributions for its U.K. pension plans of approximately
GBP27 million annually through 2023. For its U.S. pension plans, Bayer made payments of US$50 million
in 2018 and expects to make zero or only minor payments in 2019 as most are closed and frozen.
Pensions and other post-employment benefits payable in the future from funded and unfunded plans are
estimated as follows:
Future Benefit Payments
Payments out of plan assets
Payments by the company
B 22/13
€ million
Germany
Other post-
employment
benefits
Pensions
Other
countries
Other
countries
Other post-
employment
benefits
Pensions
Other
countries
Other
countries
Total
Germany
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
206
209
213
217
222
418
423
433
439
436
24
23
25
26
26
648
655
671
682
684
443
444
450
456
460
2024 – 2028
1,172
2,184
139
3,495
2,340
140
109
93
96
97
502
Total
611
580
569
577
583
28
27
26
25
26
140
2,982
The weighted average term of the pension obligations is 17.0 years (2017: 17.0 years) in Germany and
12.8 years (2017: 13.8 years) in other countries. The weighted average term of the obligations for other
post-employment benefits in other countries is 10.5 years (2017: 11.5 years).
230
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
Bayer Annual Report 2018
23. Other provisions
Changes in the various provision categories in 2018 were as follows:
Changes in Other Provisions
€ million
December 31, 2017
Reclassification to
refund liabilities
Reclassification to
inventories
Acquisitions
Additions
Utilization
Reversal
Reclassification to
current liabilities
Interest cost
Exchange
differences
December 31, 2018
of which current
Environ-
mental
protec-
tion
Restruc-
turing
Trade-
related
commit-
ments Litigations
Personnel
commit-
ments
Miscella-
neous
243
171
2,481
393
2,038
355
Other
Taxes
29
–
–
–
21
(7)
(6)
–
–
(2)
35
15
–
–
480
57
(41)
(6)
–
6
15
754
88
–
–
33
720
(122)
(30)
(1)
–
2
773
230
(2,427)
76
275
732
(524)
(108)
–
–
6
511
499
–
–
596
661
(228)
(25)
–
4
13
1,414
445
–
–
258
2,553
(1,803)
(551)
(14)
3
13
2,497
1,765
–
–
339
626
(168)
(108)
–
3
2
1,049
644
B 23/1
Total
5,710
(2,427)
76
1,981
5,370
(2,893)
(834)
(15)
16
49
7,033
3,686
The provisions were partly offset by claims for refunds in the amount of €74 million (2017: €74 million),
which were recognized as receivables. These claims predominantly related to product liability.
Restructuring
Provisions for restructuring included €691 million (2017: €116 million) for severance payments and
€82 million (2017: €55 million) for other restructuring expenses, which mainly comprised other costs relat-
ed to the closure of research or production facilities. The breakdown of provisions by segment was as
follows: €351 million at Pharmaceuticals (2017: €45 million), €57 million at Consumer Health (2017:
€33 million), €240 million at Crop Science (2017: €73 million), €6 million at Animal Health (2017: €6 million)
and €119 million at Corporate Functions / All Other Segments (2017: €14 million).
In connection with an extensive restructuring program, provisions were established in almost all segments
in 2018. The aim of this program is to strengthen Bayer’s core businesses, adjust structures and enhance
productivity and profitability by implementing a series of measures through 2022. Provisions were estab-
lished in 2018 for programs that have been communicated in sufficient detail. Further provisions are antici-
pated for 2019.
In the Pharmaceuticals segment, provisions were primarily established in view of the planned reorganiza-
tion of R&D. By integrating research and development into a joint organization, Bayer is looking to enhance
value and productivity within the Pharmaceuticals portfolio.
Provisions were also established for the hemophilia business. Due to a significant increase in competition,
the factor VIII facility in Wuppertal will not be utilized and the production of all recombinant factor VIII prod-
ucts will in the future be focused in Berkeley, California, United States, where work has already begun on
the corresponding restructuring measures for our biotechnology products to enhance production process
efficiency.
At Consumer Health, a comprehensive restructuring program called “Fit to Win” was launched to make this
segment a market leader by driving the transformation in the health care industry and creating a more agile
and faster organization with fewer decision-making levels.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
B Consolidated Financial Statements
231
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
In the Crop Science segment, provisions were established in connection with the restructuring of the dis-
tribution organization and the crop protection business in France. In Germany, the focus was on organiza-
tional adjustments due to the integration of Monsanto. The restructuring measures implemented in previ-
ous years at the Institute site in West Virginia, United States, in connection with the termination of
thiodicarb production have for the most part been completed.
Appropriate accounting measures were also taken in the Corporate Functions segment in connection with
planned restructuring as part of the integration of Monsanto.
Litigations
The legal risks currently considered to be material, and their development, are described in Note [29].
Personnel commitments
Stock-based compensation programs
Bayer offers stock-based compensation programs collectively to different groups of employees. As re-
quired by IFRS 2 (Share-based Payment) for compensation systems involving cash settlement, awards to
be made under the stock-based programs are covered by provisions in the amount of the fair value of the
obligations existing as of the date of the financial statements vis-à-vis the respective employee group. All
resulting valuation adjustments are recognized in profit or loss.
The following table shows the changes in provisions for the various programs:
Changes in Provisions for Stock-Based Compensation Programs
€ million
December 31, 2017
Acquisitions / divestments
Additions
Utilization
Reversal
Exchange differences
December 31, 2018
B 23/2
Aspire I
Aspire II Aspire 2.0
Total
6
–
20
(5)
(22)
1
–
35
–
42
(29)
(48)
–
–
263
–
279
(8)
(254)
9
289
304
–
341
(42)
(324)
10
289
The value of the Aspire tranches that were fully earned at the end of 2018 amounted to €0 million (2017:
€34 million). As such, no payment was made in January 2019.
The net expense for all stock-based compensation programs was €21 million (2017: €194 million), includ-
ing €5 million (2017: €5 million) for the BayShare stock participation program and income of €1 million
(2017: expense of €1 million) pertaining to grants of virtual Bayer shares. See Note [27.3] for information
on the hedging of obligations under stock-based employee compensation programs.
232
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
Bayer Annual Report 2018
The fair value of the obligations under the Aspire I and Aspire II programs was calculated using the Monte
Carlo simulation method based on the following key parameters:
Parameters for Monte Carlo Simulation
Dividend yield
Risk-free interest rate
Volatility of Bayer stock
Volatility of EURO STOXX 50
Correlation between Bayer stock price and the EURO STOXX 50
B 23/3
2018
3.60%
(0.46)%
33.26%
16.94%
0.76
2017
2.46%
(0.35)%
15.49%
9.27%
0.71
Long-term incentive program for members of the Board of Management and other
senior executives (Aspire I)
Between 2005 and 2015, members of the Board of Management and other senior executives were entitled
to participate in Aspire I on the condition that they purchased a certain number of Bayer shares – deter-
mined for each individual according to specific guidelines – and retained them for the full term of the pro-
gram. A percentage of the executive’s annual base salary – according to their position – was defined as a
target for variable payments (Aspire target opportunity). Depending on the performance of Bayer stock,
both in absolute terms and relative to the EURO STOXX 50 index over a four-year performance period,
participants receive a payment of up to 300% of their individual Aspire target opportunity at the end of the
period. At the start of 2018, a payment of 20% was made for the tranche issued in 2014. No payment was
made for the final tranche issued in 2015.
Long-term incentive program for middle management (Aspire II)
From 2005 through 2015, other senior managers were offered Aspire II, which was similar to Aspire I but
did not require a personal investment in Bayer shares. The amount of the payment is based entirely on the
absolute performance of Bayer stock over a four-year period. The maximum payment is 250% of each
manager’s Aspire target opportunity. At the start of 2018, a payment of 40% was made for the tranche
issued in 2014. No payment was made for the final tranche issued in 2015.
Long-term incentive program Aspire 2.0
Since 2016, Aspire has been offered to all eligible employees in a new, standardized format named Aspire
2.0. For the Board of Management, there is an additional hurdle in the form of a comparison between the
performance of Bayer stock and that of the EURO STOXX 50. Each tranche runs for four years. Aspire 2.0
is also based on a percentage of each employee’s annual base salary, the percentage varying according to
their position. This target value is multiplied by the employee’s STI payment factor for the previous year to
give the Aspire grant value. The STI payment factor reflects the employee’s individual performance and the
business performance under the global short-term incentive program (STI). The Aspire grant value is con-
verted into virtual Bayer shares by dividing it by the share price at the start of the program. The program’s
performance is based on these virtual shares. The fair value of the obligations is determined from the price
of Bayer stock at year-end and the dividends paid up to that time. The payment made at the end of each
tranche is determined by multiplying the number of virtual shares by the Bayer share price at that time and
adding an amount equivalent to the dividends paid during the period of the tranche. The maximum pay-
ment for Aspire 2.0 is 250% of the Aspire grant value.
BayShare 2018
All management levels and nonmanagerial employees are offered an annual stock participation program
known as BayShare, under which Bayer subsidizes their personal investments in the company’s stock.
The discount under this program in 2018 was 20% (2017: 20%) of the subscription amount. Employees
stated a fixed amount that they wished to invest in shares. The maximum subscription amount in Germany
was set at €2,500 (2017: €2,500) or €5,000 (2017: €5,000), depending on the employee’s position.
These shares must be retained until December 31, 2019.
In 2018, employees purchased a total of about 369,000 shares (2017: 229,000 shares) under the
BayShare program.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
B Consolidated Financial Statements
233
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
24. Financial liabilities
Financial liabilities were comprised as follows:
Financial Liabilities
€ million
Bonds and notes / promissory notes
Liabilities to banks
Liabilities under finance leases
Liabilities from derivatives
Other financial liabilities
Total
B 24/1
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2018
Total
12,436
534
238
240
970
Of which
current
505
513
32
221
664
Total
35,402
4,865
399
172
556
Of which
current
2,302
606
50
172
552
14,418
1,935
41,394
3,682
The financial liabilities of the Bayer Group increased by €27 billion in 2018, mainly due to the acquisition
of Monsanto.
A breakdown of financial liabilities by contractual maturity is given below.
Maturities of Financial Liabilities
€ million
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023 or later
Total
Dec. 31, 2017
€ million
Dec. 31, 2018
B 24/2
1,935
2019
2,155
2020
1,248
2021
2,096
2022
89
2023
6,895
2024 or later
14,418
Total
3,682
1,043
9,035
2,062
3,558
22,014
41,394
In addition to promissory notes in the amount of €45 million (2017: €45 million), the Bayer Group has
issued the following bonds and notes:
234
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
Bonds and Notes
Hybrid bonds
1
Hybrid bond 2014 / 2024
2
/ 2074
Hybrid bond 2015 / 2022
2
/ 2075
Hybrid bond 2014 / 2020
2
/ 2075
Mandatory convertible notes
1
/ exchangeable bond
1
Mandatory convertible notes
3 2016 / 2019
Exchangeable bond
4 2017 / 2020
USD bonds
1, 5
Maturity < 1 year
Maturity > 1 year < 5 years
Maturity > 5 years
EUR bonds
1, 5
Maturity < 1 year
Maturity > 1 year < 5 years
Maturity > 5 years
JPY bonds
1
Maturity < 1 year
Maturity > 1 year < 5 years
Maturity > 5 years
GBP bonds
1
Maturity < 1 year
Total
Bayer Annual Report 2018
B 24/3
Nominal volume
as of Dec. 31, 2017
Carrying amount
as of Dec. 31, 2017
€ million
Nominal volume
as of Dec. 31, 2018
Carrying amount
as of Dec. 31, 2018
€ million
EUR 1,500 million
EUR 1,300 million
EUR 1,750 million
EUR 4,000 million
EUR 1,000 million
1,495
1,292
1,746
EUR 1,500 million
EUR 1,300 million
EUR 1,750 million
–
EUR 4,000 million
1,220
EUR 1,000 million
–
–
USD 2,500 million
USD 3,500 million
USD 2,100 million
2,909
USD 8,250 million
1,751 USD 16,414 million
–
EUR 750 million
EUR 500 million
JPY 15 billion
JPY 30 billion
–
–
753
498
111
222
–
–
EUR 3,000 million
EUR 3,250 million
JPY 10 billion
JPY 20 billion
–
GBP 350 million
394
GBP 350 million
12,391
1,496
1,293
1,748
–
996
2,178
7,160
14,031
–
2,996
3,222
79
158
–
–
35,357
1 The bonds are issued in the functional currency of the issuing entity (except GBP bonds) and mainly have a fixed coupon.
2 Date of first option to early redeem the bond at par
3 The mandatory convertible notes were allocated to capital reserves and to other financial liabilities.
4 Bond can be redeemed in cash, Covestro shares or a combination thereof
5 Bonds with a nominal volume of USD2,500 million and €750 million have a variable rate.
Hybrid bonds
The hybrid bonds issued by Bayer AG are subordinated, and 50% of their amount is treated by the rating
agencies as equity. They therefore have a more limited effect on the Group’s rating-specific debt indicators
than senior borrowings.
Mandatory convertible notes
On November 22, 2016, Bayer Capital Corporation B.V. placed subordinated mandatory convertible
notes in the amount of €4,000 million, which will be converted into no-par shares of Bayer AG at maturity.
The mandatory convertible notes were recognized in capital reserves and other financial liabilities.
Exchangeable bond
On June 14, 2017, Bayer AG issued bonds with a nominal value of €1 billion which mature in 2020.
The issue price was 105.25% of the principal amount and the initial exchange price was fixed at €80.93.
These bonds can be settled in cash, by delivery of Covestro shares or by a combination thereof at or
prior to maturity. The debt instruments were designated as financial liabilities at fair value through profit
or loss upon first-time recognition. As of December 31, 2018, the fair value was €1 billion, and Bayer AG
held 13.8 million Covestro shares with a fair value of €0.6 billion. Assuming repayment is made in
Covestro shares, Bayer AG would have to make an additional payment of €0.4 billion.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
B Consolidated Financial Statements
235
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
Other bonds
Measures undertaken to finance the Monsanto acquisition included the issuance in June 2018 of US$15
billion and €5 billion in bonds via our subsidiaries Bayer U.S. Finance II LLC, Pittsburgh, United States, and
Bayer Capital Corporation B.V., Mijdrecht, Netherlands, respectively.
As part of the acquisition, bonds with a nominal volume of US$6.9 billion were taken over from Monsanto. In
July 2018, about 83% of these bonds were exchanged for Bayer bonds through a bond exchange program.
Liabilities under finance leases
Lease payments totaling €557 million (2017: €365 million), including €158 million (2017: €127 million) in
interest, are to be made under finance leases to the respective lessors in future years.
The liabilities under finance leases mature as follows:
B 24/4
Lease Liabilities
€ million
Maturity
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023 or later
Total
Lease
payments
Interest
component
49
44
39
31
25
177
365
17
13
12
11
10
64
127
Dec. 31, 2017
€ million
Dec. 31, 2018
Liabilities
under
finance
leases
32
31
27
20
15
113
238
Maturity
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024 or later
Total
Lease
payments
Interest
component
Liabilities
under
finance
leases
71
59
51
43
32
301
557
21
16
14
13
12
82
158
50
43
37
30
20
219
399
Other financial liabilities
Other financial liabilities as of December 31, 2018, included €309 million (2017: €525 million) relating to the
mandatory convertible notes issued in November 2016. Other financial liabilities as of December 31, 2017,
included commercial paper in the amount of €292 million.
Other information
The increase in liabilities to banks mainly resulted from the utilization of the bridge financing for the acquisi-
tion of Monsanto. The outstanding acquisition financing as of December 31, 2018, amounted to US$4.9
billion.
As of December 31, 2018, the Group had undrawn credit facilities at its disposal totaling €4.5 billion (2017:
€47 billion, of which €43 billion comprised bridge financing for the Monsanto acquisition).
Further information on the accounting for liabilities from derivatives is given in Note [27].
The development of financial liabilities is outlined in Note [30].
25. Trade accounts payable
Trade accounts payable comprised €5,380 million (2017: €5,116 million) due within one year and €34 mil-
lion (2017: €13 million) due after one year.
236
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
Bayer Annual Report 2018
26. Other liabilities
Other liabilities comprised the following:
Other Liabilities
€ million
Other tax liabilities
Deferred income
Liabilities to employees
Liabilities for social expenses
Accrued interest on liabilities
Liabilities from derivatives
Miscellaneous liabilities
Total
B 26/1
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2018
Total
420
1,156
181
138
149
321
403
Of which
current
Total
Of which
current
418
195
164
130
139
306
300
654
65
252
141
268
327
764
653
19
231
136
257
165
661
2,768
1,652
2,471
2,122
The deferred income included €30 million (2017: €48 million) in grants and subsidies received from gov-
ernments, of which €3 million (2017: €17 million) was reversed through profit or loss.
Other miscellaneous liabilities included financing commitments of US$141 million (2017: US$195 million)
for the joint venture Casebia Therapeutics LLP, United Kingdom, established in December 2015 with
CRISPR Therapeutics AG, Switzerland, and a further financing commitment of US$60 million (2017:
US$70 million) for the joint venture Joyn Bio LLC, United States, established in September 2017 with
Ginkgo Bioworks, Inc., United States, which will operate in the area of the plant microbiome.
27. Financial instruments
The system used by the Bayer Group to manage credit risks, liquidity risks and the different types of
market price risk (interest-rate, currency and commodity-price risks), together with its objectives, methods
and procedures, is outlined in the Opportunity and Risk Report, which forms part of the Combined
Management Report.
27.1 Financial instruments by category
The following table shows the carrying amounts and fair values of financial assets and liabilities by catego-
ry of financial instrument under IFRS 9 and a reconciliation to the corresponding line items in the state-
ments of financial position. Since the line items “Trade accounts receivable,” “Other receivables” and
“Other liabilities” contain both financial instruments and nonfinancial assets or liabilities (such as other tax
receivables), the reconciliation is shown in the column headed “Nonfinancial assets / liabilities.”
The transition effects from the reclassification and remeasurement of financial assets upon the first-time
application of IFRS 9 are detailed in Note [2] “Effects of new financial reporting standards.”
Bayer Annual Report 2018
B Consolidated Financial Statements
237
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
Carrying Amounts and Fair Values of Financial Instruments
B 27.1/1
Dec. 31, 2018
Carried at
amortized
cost
Carried at fair value
5]
[fair value for information
Nonfinancial
assets /
liabilities
Based on
quoted
prices in
active
markets
(Level 1)
Based on
observable
market
data
(Level 2)
Based on
unobserv-
able inputs
(Level 3)
Carrying
amount
Carrying
amount
Carrying
amount
Carrying
amount
Carrying
amount
11,686
11,686
440
440
516
516
4,052
4,052
16,694
16,694
40,226
40,226
5,414
5,414
1,136
1,136
46,776
46,776
1,584
1,432
144
8
241
[441]
28
101
112
[516]
1,113
895
186
32
42
42
1,584
[4,052]
241
1,155
1,432
28
937
996
[32,395]
996
7
7
172
[7,091]
35
137
320
[1,136]
297
23
1,003
492
996
7
332
160
20
20
20
20
150
150
Carrying
amount
in the
statement
of financial
position
11,836
11,686
150
3,378
440
2,355
330
101
152
1,828
2,386
1,828
988
988
516
42
1,828
4,052
4,052
19,674
16,694
2,397
41,394
40,226
996
35
137
5,414
5,414
2,471
1,136
20
297
30
988
48,291
46,776
1,016
332
167
Measurement category (IFRS 9)
1
€ million
Trade accounts receivable
AC
Nonfinancial assets
Other financial assets
AC
FVTPL2
FVTOCI (no recycling)
3
Derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting
Derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting
Other receivables
AC
FVTPL2
Nonfinancial assets
Cash and cash equivalents
AC
Total financial assets
of which AC
of which FVTPL
Financial liabilities
AC
FVTPL (nonderivative)
4
Derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting
Derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting
Trade accounts payable
AC
Other liabilities
AC
FVTPL (nonderivative)
4
Derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting
Derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting
Nonfinancial liabilities
Total financial liabilities
of which AC
of which FVTPL (nonderivative)
of which derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting
of which derivatives that do not qualify
for hedge accounting
1 AC: at amortized cost
FVTOCI: at fair value through other comprehensive income
FVTPL: at fair value through profit or loss
2 Measured at fair value through profit or loss as required by IFRS 9
3 Measured at fair value through other comprehensive income in accordance with paragraph 5.7.5 of IFRS 9
4 Designated as FVTPL upon first-time recognition in accordance with IFRS 9
5 Fair value of the financial instruments at amortized cost under IFRS 7 paragraph 29(a)
238
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
Bayer Annual Report 2018
The category AC (measured at amortized cost) within other financial assets and financial liabilities also
include receivables and liabilities under finance leases in which Bayer is the lessor or lessee and which are
therefore measured in accordance with IAS 17.
Due to the short maturities of most trade accounts receivable and payable, other receivables and liabilities,
and cash and cash equivalents, their carrying amounts at the closing date do not significantly differ from
the fair values.
The fair values of financial assets and liabilities measured at amortized cost that are given for information
are the present values of the respective future cash flows. The present values are determined by discount-
ing the cash flows at a closing-date interest rate, taking into account the term of the assets or liabilities
and the creditworthiness of the counterparty. Where a market price is available, however, this is deemed to
be the fair value.
The fair values of financial assets measured at fair value correspond to quoted prices in active markets
(Level 1), or are determined using valuation techniques based on observable market data as of the end of
the reporting period (Level 2) or are the present values of the respective future cash flows, determined on
the basis of unobservable inputs (Level 3).
The fair values of derivatives for which no publicly quoted prices exist in active markets (Level 1) are de-
termined using valuation techniques based on observable market data as of the end of the reporting period
(Level 2). In applying valuation techniques, credit value adjustments are determined to allow for the con-
tracting party’s credit risk.
Currency and commodity forward contracts are measured individually at their forward rates or forward
prices on the closing date. These depend on spot rates or prices, including time spreads. The fair values of
interest-rate hedging instruments and cross-currency interest-rate swaps were determined by discounting
future cash flows over the remaining terms of the instruments at market rates of interest, taking into ac-
count any foreign currency translation as of the closing date.
Fair values measured using unobservable inputs are categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
This applies to certain debt or equity instruments, in some cases to the fair values of embedded deriva-
tives, and to obligations for contingent consideration in business combinations. Credit risk is frequently the
principal unobservable input used to determine the fair values of debt instruments classified as “FVTPL – at
fair value through profit or loss” by the discounted cash flow method. Here the credit spreads of compara-
ble issuers are applied. A significant increase in credit risk could result in a lower fair value, whereas a
significant decrease could result in a higher fair value. However, a relative change of 10% in the credit
spread does not materially affect the fair value.
Embedded derivatives are separated from their respective host contracts, provided these are not financial
instruments. Such host contracts are generally sale or purchase agreements relating to the operational
business. The embedded derivatives cause the cash flows from the contracts to vary with exchange-rate
or price fluctuations. The internal measurement of embedded derivatives is mainly performed using the
discounted cash flow method, which is based on unobservable inputs. These include planned sales and
purchase volumes, and prices derived from market data. Regular monitoring is carried out based on these
fair values as part of quarterly reporting.
The financial liabilities arising from the debt instruments (exchangeable bond) issued in June 2017 that can
be converted into Covestro shares are measured at fair value through profit or loss. This exchangeable
bond is a hybrid financial instrument containing a debt instrument as a nonderivative host contract and
multiple embedded derivatives.
Until May 2018, the interest in Covestro was accounted for in the Bayer Group consolidated financial
statements as an associate using the equity method. Various share disposals led to the loss of significant
influence on the financial and business policy decisions of Covestro. This in turn resulted in a change in the
accounting method. Since May 2018, Bayer has reported the Covestro interest as an equity instrument.
Changes in its fair value are recognized through profit or loss.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
B Consolidated Financial Statements
239
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
The changes in the amount of financial assets and liabilities recognized at fair value based on unobserv-
able inputs (Level 3) for each financial instrument category were as follows:
Development of Financial Assets and Liabilities (Level 3)
€ million
Carrying amounts (net), January 1, 2018
Gains (losses) recognized in profit or loss
of which related to assets / liabilities recognized
in the statements of financial position
Gains (losses) recognized outside profit or loss
Additions of assets / (liabilities)
Settlements of (assets) / liabilities
Disposals from divestments / changes in scope of consolidation
Carrying amounts (net), December 31, 2018
1 See table B 27.1/1 for definition of measurement categories.
Assets –
FVTPL1
1
FVTOCI
(no
recycling)
Derivatives
(net)
Liabilities –
FVTPL1
(non-
derivative)
821
28
28
–
102
(14)
–
937
68
–
–
13
116
(7)
(4)
186
10
5
–
–
17
–
–
32
(7)
(5)
(5)
–
(10)
1
1
(20)
B 27.1/2
Total
892
28
23
13
225
(20)
(3)
1,135
The changes recognized in profit or loss were included in other operating income / expenses, as well as in
the financial result in interest income, exchange gains or losses and in other financial income and expenses.
240
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Income, expense, gains and losses on financial instruments can be assigned to the following categories:
Income, Expense, Gains and Losses on Financial Instruments
€ million
Interest income
Interest expense
Income / expenses
from affiliated companies
Changes in fair value
Impairment losses
Impairment loss reversals
Exchange gains / losses
Gains / losses from retirements
Other financial income / expenses
Net result
Assets –
1
AC
Assets –
FVTPL1
Derivatives
that do not
qualify
for hedge
accounting
FVTOCI
1
(no
recycling)
Liabilities –
AC1
Liabilities –
FVTPL1 (non-
derivative)
111
(65)
–
–
(200)
185
249
–
(17)
263
95
–
–
(444)
–
–
–
–
6
(343)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(2)
–
41
–
–
87
–
–
50
(1,226)
–
–
–
–
(497)
–
(15)
126
(1,688)
–
(1)
–
230
–
–
–
–
(2)
227
1 See table B 27.1/1 for definition of measurement categories.
B 27.1/3
2018
Total
256
(1,294)
–
(173)
(200)
185
(161)
–
(28)
(1,415)
The interest income and expense from assets and liabilities within the AC category also included income
and expenses from interest-rate derivatives that qualified for hedge accounting.
The changes in the fair value of assets within the FVTPL category included changes in the fair value of the
Covestro interest, which has been presented as an equity instrument since May 2018. The changes in the
fair value of derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting related mainly to forward commodity con-
tracts and embedded derivatives.
The changes of €230 million (2017: negative changes of €172 million) in the fair value of (nonderivative)
liabilities within the FVTPL category contain fair value adjustments pertaining to the debt instruments (ex-
changeable bond) issued in June 2017. The changes in fair value relating to credit risks were not material.
Derivatives that form part of a master netting arrangement, constitute a financial asset or liability and can
only be netted in the event of breach of contract by, or insolvency of, one of the contracting parties do not
satisfy, or only partially satisfy, the criteria for offsetting in the statement of financial position according to
IAS 32. The volume of such derivatives with positive fair values was €166 million (2017: €654 million), and
the volume with negative fair values was €455 million (2017: €520 million). Included here is an amount of
€104 million (2017: €312 million) in positive and negative fair values of derivatives concluded with the same
contracting party.
The following table shows the carrying amounts and fair values of financial assets and liabilities by
category of financial instrument for the comparative period under IAS 39.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
B Consolidated Financial Statements
241
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
Carrying Amounts and Fair Values of Financial Instruments
B 27.1/4
Dec. 31, 2017
Carried at
amortized
cost
Carried at fair value
[fair value for information2]
Nonfinancial
assets /
liabilities
Based on
quoted
prices in
active
markets
(Level 1)
Based on
observable
market data
(Level 2)
Based on
unobserv-
able inputs
(Level 3)
Carrying
amount
Carrying
amount
Carrying
amount
Carrying
amount
Carrying
amount
8,582
8,582
1,823
1,731
35
57
380
380
7,581
7,581
18,366
18,274
35
12,958
12,958
4,568
4,568
681
681
18,207
18,207
452
448
4
2,085
[1,731]
1,452
[58]
296
337
[380]
452
[7,581]
2,085
448
1,452
1,220
[11,327]
1,220
2
2
240
[2,183]
187
53
319
[681]
288
31
1,222
559
475
84
2
803
793
10
46
46
849
839
7
7
7
Carrying
amount
in the
statement
of financial
position
8,582
8,582
5,163
1,731
2,728
57
296
351
1,250
1,676
1,250
561
561
1,759
1,759
380
46
1,250
7,581
7,581
21,752
18,274
2,774
14,418
12,958
1,220
187
53
5,129
4,568
561
2,768
681
7
288
33
1,759
19,995
18,207
475
86
Measurement category (IAS 39)
1
€ million
Trade accounts receivable
LaR
Other financial assets
LaR
AfS
HtM
Derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting
Derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting
Other receivables
LaR
AfS
Nonfinancial assets
Cash and cash equivalents
LaR
Total financial assets
of which LaR
of which AfS
Financial liabilities
Carried at amortized cost
Carried at fair value (nonderivative)
Derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting
Derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting
Trade accounts payable
Carried at amortized cost
Nonfinancial liabilities
Other liabilities
Carried at amortized cost
Carried at fair value (nonderivative)
Derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting
Derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting
Nonfinancial liabilities
Total financial liabilities
of which at amortized cost
of which derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting
of which derivatives that do not qualify
for hedge accounting
1 AfS: available for sale; at fair value through other comprehensive income
HtM: held to maturity; at amortized cost
LaR: loans and receivables; at amortized cost
2 Fair value of the financial instruments at amortized cost under IFRS 7. Paragraph 29(a)
242
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
Bayer Annual Report 2018
The following table shows the changes in the financial assets and liabilities recognized at fair value based
on unobservable inputs (Level 3) for each financial instrument category for the comparative period under
IAS 39:
Development of Financial Assets and Liabilities (Level 3)
€ million
Carrying amounts (net), January 1, 2017
Gains (losses) recognized in profit or loss
of which related to assets / liabilities recognized
in the statements of financial position
Gains (losses) recognized outside profit or loss
Additions of assets / (liabilities)
Settlements of (assets) / liabilities
Disposals from divestments / changes in scope of consolidation
Carrying amounts (net), December 31, 2017
1 See table 27.1/4 for definition of measurement category.
Derivatives
(net)
Liabilities –
at fair value
(nonderivative)
(8)
21
21
–
–
–
(3)
10
(8)
–
–
–
–
1
–
(7)
AfS
1
851
15
15
(16)
6
(17)
–
839
B 27.1/5
Total
835
36
36
(16)
6
(16)
(3)
842
The following table shows the income, expense, gains and losses on financial instruments for the com-
parative period under IAS 39:
Income, Expense, Gains and Losses on Financial Instruments
€ million
Interest income
Interest expense
Income / expenses from affiliated companies
Changes in fair value
Impairment losses
Impairment loss reversals
Exchange gains / losses
Gains / losses from retirements
Other financial income / expenses
Net result
1See table 27.1/4 for definition of measurement categories.
LaR
1
61
–
–
–
(139)
23
(733)
–
(14)
(802)
HtM
1
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
AfS
1
37
–
2
–
(1)
5
–
5
(7)
41
B 27.1/6
2017
Total
176
(631)
2
(155)
(140)
28
(345)
5
(21)
Liabilities
– at
amortized
cost
Liabilities
– at fair
value
(non-
derivative)
Held for
trading
–
(3)
–
17
–
–
(232)
–
–
(218)
78
(628)
–
–
–
–
620
–
–
70
–
–
–
(172)
–
–
–
–
–
(172)
(1,081)
27.2 Maturity analysis
The liquidity risks to which the Bayer Group was exposed from its financial instruments at the end of the
reporting period comprised obligations for future interest and repayment installments on financial liabilities
and the liquidity risk arising from derivatives.
There were also loan commitments under an as yet unpaid €965 million (2017: €1,005 million) portion of
the effective initial fund of Bayer-Pensionskasse VVaG, which may result in further payments by Bayer AG
in subsequent years.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
B Consolidated Financial Statements
243
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
Maturity Analysis of Financial Instruments
€ million
Refund liabilities
Financial liabilities
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
B 27.2/1
after
2023
Interest and repayment
Dec. 31,
2018
Carrying
amount
3,789
3,622
152
15
–
–
–
2,951
4,414
29,610
Bonds and notes / promissory notes
Liabilities to banks
Remaining liabilities
35,402
3,235
2,094
4,865
955
751
627
158
60
5,762
4,345
53
Trade accounts payable
5,414
5,380
32
1
Other liabilities
Accrued interest on liabilities
Remaining liabilities
Liabilities from derivatives
Derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting
Derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting
Receivables from derivatives
Derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting
Derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting
Loan commitments
Financial guarantees
268
888
332
167
101
152
–
–
257
791
172
167
42
121
965
–
1
56
66
–
9
(1)
–
–
1
17
70
–
3
(10)
–
–
–
43
1
1
8
26
–
–
–
–
–
–
32
–
1
3
–
–
–
–
–
–
Maturity Analysis of Financial Instruments
€ million
Financial liabilities
Bonds and notes / promissory notes
Liabilities to banks
Remaining liabilities
Dec. 31,
2017
Carrying
amount
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Interest and repayment
12,436
534
1,208
719
527
716
2,096
1,487
2,288
20
359
–
40
–
32
236
–
26
7,125
–
177
Trade accounts payable
4,568
4,555
Other liabilities
Accrued interest on liabilities
Remaining liabilities
Liabilities from derivatives
Derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting
Derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting
Receivables from derivatives
Derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting
Derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting
Loan commitments
Financial guarantees
149
539
475
86
296
351
140
455
443
88
144
331
–
–
1,005
12
11
1
66
34
1
62
4
–
–
2
1
3
–
2
17
1
–
–
–
1
2
6
–
2
1
–
–
–
1
2
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
5
11
–
–
–
–
–
–
3
303
–
7
13
–
–
–
–
–
–
B 27.2/2
after
2022
244
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
Bayer Annual Report 2018
27.3 Information on derivatives
Asset and liability fair values and future cash flows are exposed to currency, interest-rate and commodity
price risks. Derivatives are used to reduce this risk. In some cases they are designated as hedging instru-
ments in a hedge accounting relationship.
Currency risks
Foreign currency receivables and liabilities are hedged using foreign exchange derivatives without the
existence of a hedge accounting relationship. A bond of Bayer AG denominated in British pounds was
swapped on the issuance date into a fixed-rate euro bond by means of a cross-currency interest-rate
swap, which was designated as a cash flow hedge. Cross-currency interest-rate swaps used to hedge
intra-Group loans were also designated as cash flow hedges.
Fluctuations in future cash flows resulting from forecasted foreign currency transactions and procurement
activities are avoided partly through derivatives contracts, most of which are designated as cash flow
hedges.
Foreign currency risks related to the acquisition of Monsanto Company were partially hedged with currency
derivatives designated as cash flow hedges. The fair value of these derivatives was reclassified from other com-
prehensive income to goodwill in the statement financial position as of the acquisition date.
Interest-rate risk
The interest-rate risks from fixed-interest borrowings are managed in part using interest-rate swaps.
Two interest-rate swaps in the total amount of €200 million were designated as fair value hedges for the
€750 million bond issued in 2014 and maturing in 2021. The carrying amount of this bond as of December
31, 2018, was €747 million. A hedge-related fair value adjustment of €6 million resulted in the carrying
amount increasing to €753 million. No material ineffective portions of hedges required recognition through
profit or loss in 2018 or 2017.
Interest-rate risks in connection with the financing of the Monsanto acquisition were partially hedged
through interest-rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges. The fair values of these derivatives as of
the acquisition date will be amortized from reserves for cash flow hedges into interest income and expense
over the term of the bonds issued to finance the acquisition.
Commodity price risks
Hedging contracts are also used to partly reduce exposure to fluctuations in future cash outflows and
inflows resulting from price changes on procurement and selling markets. Some of these contracts are
designated as cash flow hedges or fair value hedges.
The carrying amount of inventories designated as the hedged item in fair value hedges was €63 million as
of December 31, 2018. A hedge-related fair value adjustment of minus €11 million reduced the carrying
amount to €52 million. No material ineffective portions of hedges required recognition through profit or loss
in 2018.
Hedging of obligations under stock-based employee compensation programs
A portion of the obligations to make variable payments to employees under stock-based compensation
programs (Aspire) is hedged against share price fluctuations using derivatives contracts that are settled in
cash at maturity. These derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges.
Further information on cash flow hedges
Other comprehensive income from cash flow hedges increased by €125 million in 2018 (2017: decreased
by €144 million) due to changes in the fair values of derivatives. Total changes of €124 million in the fair
values of derivatives were expensed in 2018 (2017: €3 million).
Bayer Annual Report 2018
B Consolidated Financial Statements
245
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
The following table shows changes in reserves for cash flow hedges (before taxes), broken down by risk
category:
Changes in Reserves for Cash Flow Hedges (before taxes)
Currency
hedging of
recorded
transactions
Currency
hedging of
forecasted
transactions
Interest-rate
hedging of
forecasted
transactions
Commodity
price hedging
21
(10)
–
–
11
(95)
100
(3)
(37)
(35)
(19)
283
(19)
–
245
–
(17)
–
–
(17)
Hedging of
stock-based
employee
compen-
sation
programs
(4)
(231)
146
–
(89)
€ million
December 31, 2017
Changes in fair values
Reclassified to profit or loss
Reclassified to goodwill
December 31, 2018
B 27.3/1
Total
(97)
125
124
(37)
115
No material ineffective portions of hedges required recognition through profit or loss in 2018.
246
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
Bayer Annual Report 2018
The fair values of the derivatives in the major categories as of year-end are indicated in the following table
together with the included volumes of hedges.
Fair Values of Derivatives
€ million
Currency hedging of recorded transactions
2,3
Forward exchange contracts
Cross-currency interest-rate swaps
of which cash flow hedges
Currency hedging of forecasted transactions
2,4
Forward exchange contracts
of which cash flow hedges
Currency options
of which cash flow hedges
Interest-rate hedging of recorded transactions
2,3
Interest-rate swaps
of which fair value hedges
Interest-rate hedging of forecasted transactions
2,4
Interest-rate swaps
of which cash flow hedges
Commodity price hedging
2,4
Forward commodity contracts
of which fair value hedges
of which cash flow hedges
Commodity option contracts
of which fair value hedges
of which cash flow hedges
Hedging of stock-based employee compensation programs
2,4
Share price options
of which cash flow hedges
Forward share transactions
of which cash flow hedges
Total
of which current derivatives
for currency hedging
for interest-rate hedging5
for commodity price hedging
for hedging of stock-based employee compensation programs
B 27.3/2
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2018
Notional
1
amount
Positive
fair value
Negative
fair value
Notional
1
amount
Positive
fair value
Negative
fair value
12,321
10,399
1,922
1,880
9,475
9,292
9,205
183
183
200
200
200
–
9,086
9,086
9,086
420
414
–
–
6
–
–
544
75
75
469
469
32,046
30,259
20,678
9,086
420
75
233
144
89
87
116
105
103
11
11
11
11
11
–
64
64
64
6
6
–
–
–
–
–
20
5
5
15
15
450
317
242
64
6
5
(240)
(53)
(187)
(187)
(194)
(194)
(192)
–
–
–
–
–
–
(81)
(81)
(81)
(3)
(3)
–
–
–
–
–
(15)
–
–
(15)
(15)
(533)
(499)
(415)
(81)
(3)
–
18,165
16,942
1,223
1,198
4,233
4,169
3,941
64
64
200
200
200
–
–
–
–
936
934
87
464
2
–
–
731
–
–
731
731
24,265
23,169
22,253
–
746
170
129
83
46
45
35
35
34
–
–
8
8
8
–
–
–
–
32
31
–
14
1
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
204
171
145
–
26
–
(172)
(137)
(35)
(35)
(70)
(69)
(64)
(1)
(1)
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
(14)
(14)
(3)
(3)
–
–
–
(226)
–
–
(226)
(226)
(482)
(320)
(242)
–
(14)
(64)
1 The notional amount is reported as gross volume, which also contains economically closed hedges.
2 Derivatives with positive fair values are recognized under “Other financial assets” in the statement of financial position.
3 Derivatives with negative fair values are recognized under “Financial liabilities” in the statement of financial position.
4 Derivatives with negative fair values are recognized under “Other liabilities” in the statement of financial position.
5 The portion of the fair value of long-term interest-rate swaps that relates to current interest payments was classified as current.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
B Consolidated Financial Statements
247
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
The following table provides an overview of the hedging rates for the material derivatives that existed at
year-end and qualified for hedge accounting:
Hedging Rates of Derivatives that Qualify for Hedge Accounting
B 27.3/3
Dec. 31, 2018
Short-term derivatives
Long-term derivatives
Nominal
value (million)
Ø hedging
rate
Nominal
value (million)
Ø hedging
rate
Currency hedging of recorded transactions
Cross-currency interest-rate swaps – cash flow hedges
EUR / TRY
EUR / USD
Currency hedging of forecasted transactions
Forward exchange contracts – cash flow hedges
EUR / AUD
EUR / BRL
EUR / CAD
EUR / CNH
EUR / GBP
EUR / JPY
EUR / KRW
EUR / MXN
EUR / RUB
EUR / TWD
EUR / USD
EUR / ZAR
USD / CAD
EUR / USD
AUD / USD
Sell
120 TRY
1,350 USD
Sell
243 AUD
1,685 BRL
499 CAD
5,900 CNH
326 GBP
3.2287
1.1544
1.6242
4.5360
1.5765
8.1207
0.8918
51,690 JPY
130.1871
122,670 KRW
1,322.7477
2,629 MXN
16,835 RUB
1,929 TWD
883 USD
1,236 ZAR
151 CAD
Buy
150 USD
14 USD
24.7583
78.8858
35.5132
1.1998
16.9930
1.3050
1.1813
0.7145
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Hedging of stock-based employee compensation
programs
Forward share transactions – cash flow hedges
Bayer shares
Number of
shares
(thousands)
Ø hedging
rate (€)
Number of
shares
(thousands)
Ø hedging
rate (€)
Buy
1,517
104.29
Buy
6,971
82.42
28. Contingent liabilities and other financial commitments
Contingent liabilities
The following warranty contracts, guarantees and other contingent liabilities existed at the end of the
reporting period:
248
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Contingent Liabilities
€ million
Warranties
Guarantees
Other contingent liabilities
Total
B 28/1
Dec. 31,
2017
Dec. 31,
2018
88
148
614
850
88
82
816
986
The guarantees mainly comprise a declaration issued by Bayer AG to the trustees of the U.K. pension
plans guaranteeing the pension obligations of Bayer Public Limited Company, Reading, United Kingdom,
and Bayer CropScience Limited, Cambridge, United Kingdom. Under the declaration, Bayer AG – in addi-
tion to the two companies – undertakes to make further payments into the plans upon receipt of a pay-
ment request from the trustees. The net liability with respect to these defined benefit plans as of December
31, 2018, declined to €82 million (December 31, 2017: €148 million).
Other financial commitments
The other financial commitments were as follows:
Other Financial Commitments
€ million
Operating leases
Commitments under purchase agreements for property, plant and equipment
Contractual obligation to acquire intangible assets
Capital contribution commitments
Binding acquisition agreement with Monsanto Company, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.1
Unpaid portion of the effective initial fund
Potential payment obligations under collaboration agreements
Revenue-based milestone payment commitments
Total
B 28/2
Dec. 31, 2017 Dec. 31, 2018
801
493
83
149
47,000
1,005
2,349
1,923
53,803
1,271
811
224
464
–
965
2,121
2,187
8,043
1 The contingent financial commitment of approximately US$56 billion was translated at the closing rate and rounded.
On June 7, 2018, Bayer acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of Monsanto Company, St. Louis,
Missouri, United States, against a cash payment of US$128 per share. Further details of the acquisition
of the Monsanto Company, St. Louis, Missouri, United States, are given in Note [5.2].
The maturities of the other financial commitments are as follows:
Maturities of Other Financial Liabilities
€ million
Maturing within 1 year
Maturing in 1– 5 years
Maturing after 5 years
Total
B 28/3
Operating leases
2017
2018
166
433
202
801
356
626
289
1,271
Payment obligations
under collaboration
agreements
Revenue-based
milestone payment
commitments
2017
157
850
1,342
2,349
2018
315
715
1,091
2,121
2017
21
138
1,764
1,923
2018
87
65
2,035
2,187
The Bayer Group has entered into cooperation agreements with third parties under which it has agreed to
fund various projects or has assumed other payment obligations based on the achievement of certain
milestones or other specific conditions. The amounts shown represent the maximum payments to be
made, and it is unlikely that they will all fall due. Since the achievement of the conditions for payment is
highly uncertain, both the amounts and the dates of the actual payments may vary considerably from those
stated in the table.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
B Consolidated Financial Statements
249
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
29. Legal risks
As a global company with a diverse business portfolio, the Bayer Group is exposed to numerous legal
risks, particularly in the areas of product liability, competition and antitrust law, anticorruption, patent dis-
putes, tax assessments and environmental matters. The outcome of any current or future proceedings
cannot normally be predicted. It is therefore possible that legal or regulatory judgments or future settle-
ments could give rise to expenses that are not covered, or not fully covered, by insurers’ compensation
payments and could significantly affect our revenues and earnings.
Legal proceedings currently considered to involve material risks are outlined below. The legal proceedings
referred to do not represent an exhaustive list.
Product-related litigation
Mirena™: As of January 28, 2019, lawsuits from approximately 2,360 users of Mirena™, a levonorgestrel-
releasing intrauterine system providing long-term contraception, had been served upon Bayer in the United
States (excluding lawsuits no longer pending). Plaintiffs allege personal injuries resulting from the use of
Mirena™, including perforation of the uterus, ectopic pregnancy or idiopathic intracranial hypertension, and
seek compensatory and punitive damages. Plaintiffs claim, inter alia, that Mirena™ is defective and that
Bayer knew or should have known of the risks associated with it and failed to adequately warn its users.
Additional lawsuits are anticipated. In 2017, most of the cases pending in U.S. federal courts in which
plaintiffs allege idiopathic intracranial hypertension were consolidated in a multidistrict litigation (“MDL”)
proceeding for common pre-trial management. As of January 28, 2019, lawsuits from approximately 700
users of Mirena™ alleging idiopathic intracranial hypertension had been served upon Bayer in the United
States. Another MDL proceeding concerning perforation cases has been dismissed. The Second Circuit
Court of Appeals affirmed the perforation MDL district court’s summary judgment order of 2016 dismissing
approximately 1,230 cases pending before that court. In April 2018, a master settlement agreement re-
garding the global settlement of the perforation cases for a total amount of US$12.2 million was executed.
Plaintiffs did not reach the 98% participation threshold as required under the settlement agreement, and
therefore a US$200,000 reduction in the total settlement amount was negotiated. Upon completion of the
settlement, the vast majority of filed cases nationwide have been (or will be) dismissed with 15 claimants
affirmatively opting out of the settlement. Almost all the other non-participating claimants (approximately
200) have not filed cases and are presently unreachable by plaintiffs’ attorneys. As of January 28, 2019, a
total of approximately 3,800 cases would be included in the settlement.
As of January 28, 2019, five Canadian lawsuits relating to Mirena™ seeking class action certification had
been served upon Bayer. Bayer believes it has meritorious defenses and intends to defend itself vigorously.
Xarelto™: As of January 28, 2019, U.S. lawsuits from approximately 24,900 recipients of Xarelto™, an oral
anticoagulant for the treatment and prevention of blood clots, had been served upon Bayer. Plaintiffs allege
personal injuries from the use of Xarelto™, including cerebral, gastrointestinal or other bleeding and death,
and seek compensatory and punitive damages. They claim, among other things, that Xarelto™ is defective
and that Bayer knew or should have known of these risks associated with the use of Xarelto™ and failed to
adequately warn its users. Additional lawsuits are anticipated. Cases pending in U.S. federal courts have
been consolidated in an MDL for common pre-trial management. In 2017, the first three MDL trials resulted
in complete defense verdicts. In January 2018, after the first trial to proceed in Pennsylvania state court
had initially resulted in a judgment in favor of the plaintiff, the trial judge vacated the jury’s verdict and
granted judgment in favor of Bayer. In April and August 2018, the second and third Pennsylvania state
court trials also resulted in complete defense verdicts. Appeals are pending in all of the six cases. Addi-
tional Pennsylvania state court trials are currently scheduled for May and September 2019 and into the
second quarter of 2020. Bayer anticipates that additional trials will be scheduled.
250
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
Bayer Annual Report 2018
As of January 28, 2019, ten Canadian lawsuits relating to Xarelto™ seeking class action certification had
been served upon Bayer. One of the proposed class actions has been certified. Bayer has filed a motion
for leave to appeal. Bayer believes it has meritorious defenses and intends to defend itself vigorously.
Essure™: As of January 28, 2019, U.S. lawsuits from approximately 29,400 users of Essure™, a medical
device offering permanent birth control with a nonsurgical procedure, had been served upon Bayer. The
significant increase in filings was triggered by the statutes of limitations in some states. Plaintiffs allege
personal injuries from the use of Essure™, including hysterectomy, perforation, pain, bleeding, weight gain,
nickel sensitivity, depression and unwanted pregnancy, and seek compensatory and punitive damages.
Additional lawsuits are anticipated.
As of January 28, 2019, two Canadian lawsuits relating to Essure™ seeking class action certification had
been served upon Bayer. Bayer believes it has meritorious defenses and intends to defend itself vigorously.
Class actions over neonicotinoids in Canada: Proposed class actions against Bayer were filed in Quebec
and Ontario (Canada) concerning crop protection products containing the active substances imidacloprid
and clothianidin (neonicotinoids). Plaintiffs are honey producers, who have filed a proposed nationwide
class action in Ontario and a Quebec-only class action in Quebec. Plaintiffs claim for damages and punitive
damages and allege Bayer and another crop protection company were negligent in the design, develop-
ment, marketing and sale of neonicotinoid pesticides. The proposed Ontario class action is in a very early
procedural phase. In Quebec, a court certified a class proposed by plaintiffs in February 2018. Bayer be-
lieves it has meritorious defenses and intends to defend itself vigorously.
Roundup™ (Glyphosate): As of January 28, 2019, lawsuits from approximately 11,200 plaintiffs claiming to
have been exposed to glyphosate-based products manufactured by Bayer’s subsidiary Monsanto had
been served upon Monsanto in the United States. Glyphosate is the active ingredient contained in a num-
ber of Monsanto’s herbicides, including Roundup™-branded products. Plaintiffs allege personal injuries
resulting from exposure to those products, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and multiple myeloma,
and seek compensatory and punitive damages. Plaintiffs claim, inter alia, that the glyphosate-based herbi-
cide products are defective and that Monsanto knew, or should have known, of the risks allegedly associ-
ated with such products and failed to adequately warn its users. Additional lawsuits are anticipated. The
majority of plaintiffs have brought actions in state courts in Missouri and California. Cases pending in U.S.
federal courts have been consolidated in an MDL in the Northern District of California for common pre-trial
management.
In August 2018, a state court jury in San Francisco, California, awarded roughly US$39 million in compen-
satory and US$250 million in punitive damages to a plaintiff who claimed that a Monsanto product caused
his NHL. While the punitive damages were subsequently reduced by the trial court to roughly US$39 mil-
lion, we still disagree with the verdict and have filed an appeal with the California Court of Appeal. More
than 800 scientific studies and regulatory authorities all over the world confirm that glyphosate is safe for
use when used according to label instructions. This includes an independent study which followed more
than 50,000 licensed pesticide applicators for more than 20 years which found no association between
glyphosate-based herbicides and cancer, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2017 risk as-
sessment which examined more than 100 studies and concluded that glyphosate is “not likely to be car-
cinogenic to humans.” We continue to believe, therefore, that we have meritorious defenses and we intend
to defend ourselves vigorously in all of these lawsuits. The next two trials are currently scheduled for Feb-
ruary and March 2019 before a federal court in San Francisco and a state court in California, respectively.
Another five trials are currently scheduled in California and Missouri for the remainder of 2019. However,
trial dates in all venues remain subject to change depending on court schedules and rulings.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
B Consolidated Financial Statements
251
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
As of January 28, 2019, one Canadian lawsuit relating to Roundup™ seeking class action certification had
been served upon Bayer. Bayer believes it has meritorious defenses and intends to defend itself vigorously.
In connection with the above-mentioned product-related litigation, Bayer is insured against statutory prod-
uct liability claims against Bayer to the extent customary in the respective industries and has, based on the
information currently available, taken appropriate accounting measures for anticipated defense costs.
However, the accounting measures relating to Essure™ claims exceed the available insurance coverage.
Patent disputes
Adempas™: In January 2018, Bayer filed patent infringement lawsuits in a U.S. federal court against
Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited, Alembic Global Holding SA, Alembic Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and INC
Research, LLC (together “Alembic”), against MSN Laboratories Private Limited and MSN Pharmaceuticals
Inc. (together “MSN”) and against Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
(together “Teva”). In 2017, Bayer had received notices of an Abbreviated New Drug Application with a
paragraph IV certification (“ANDA IV”) pursuant to which Alembic, MSN and Teva each seek approval of a
generic version of Bayer’s pulmonary hypertension drug Adempas™ in the United States. In October 2018,
the court decided, upon a joint request by Bayer and Teva, that Bayer’s patent is valid and infringed by
Teva. This terminated the patent dispute with Teva.
Betaferon™ / Betaseron™: In 2010, Bayer filed a complaint against Biogen Idec MA Inc. in a U.S. federal
court seeking a declaration by the court that a patent issued to Biogen in 2009 is invalid and not infringed
by Bayer’s production and distribution of Betaseron™, Bayer’s drug product for the treatment of multiple
sclerosis. Biogen is alleging patent infringement by Bayer through Bayer’s production and distribution
of Betaseron™ and Extavia™ and has sued Bayer accordingly. Bayer manufactures Betaseron™ and
distributes the product in the United States. Extavia™ is also a drug product for the treatment of multiple
sclerosis; it is manufactured by Bayer, but distributed in the United States by Novartis Pharmaceuticals
Corporation, another defendant in the lawsuit. In 2016, the U.S. federal court decided a disputed issue
regarding the scope of the patent in Biogen’s favor. Bayer disagrees with the decision, which may be
appealed at the conclusion of the proceedings in the U.S. federal court. In February 2018, a jury decided
that Biogen’s patent is invalid at the end of a trial regarding Biogen’s claims against EMD Serono, Inc.
(“Serono”) and Pfizer Inc. (“Pfizer”) for infringement of the same patent. In September 2018, the court
overturned the jury decision and granted judgment in favor of Biogen. Serono and Pfizer appealed. The
trial of Biogen’s claim against Bayer has not yet been scheduled.
Jivi™ (BAY94-9027): In August 2018, Nektar Therapeutics (“Nektar”), Baxalta Incorporated and Baxalta U.S.,
Inc. (together “Baxalta”) filed another complaint in a U.S. federal court against Bayer alleging that
BAY94-9027, approved as Jivi™ in the United States for the treatment of hemophilia, infringes five patents
by Nektar. The five patents are part of a patent family registered in the name of Nektar and further com-
prising a European patent application with the title “Branched polymers and their conjugates.” This patent
family is different from the one at issue in the earlier patent disputes still pending in the United States and
Germany. In October 2018, Bayer filed a lawsuit in the administrative court of Munich, Germany, claiming
rights to the European patent application based on a past collaboration between Bayer and Nektar in the
field of hemophilia. In 2017, Baxalta and Nektar had already filed a complaint in the same U.S. federal
court against Bayer alleging that BAY94-9027 infringes seven other patents by Nektar. The seven patents
are part of a patent family registered in the name of Nektar and further comprising European patent appli-
cations with the title “Polymer-factor VIII moiety conjugates” which are at issue in a lawsuit Bayer had
filed against Nektar in 2013 in the district court of Munich, Germany. In this proceeding, Bayer claims
rights to the European patent applications based on a past collaboration between Bayer and Nektar in the
field of hemophilia. However, Bayer believes that the patent families do not include any valid patent claim
relevant for Jivi™.
Stivarga™: In 2016, Bayer filed a patent infringement lawsuit in a U.S. federal court against Apotex, Inc.
and Apotex Corp. (together “Apotex”). Bayer had received a notice of an ANDA IV application pursuant to
which Apotex seeks approval of a generic version of Bayer’s cancer drug Stivarga™ in the United States.
Bayer believes it has meritorious defenses in the above ongoing patent disputes and intends to defend
itself vigorously.
252
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Further Legal Proceedings
Trasylol™ / Avelox™: A qui tam complaint relating to marketing practices for Trasylol™ (aprotinin) and
Avelox™ (moxifloxacin) filed by a former Bayer employee is pending in the United States District Court in
New Jersey. Bayer’s motion for summary judgment related to the relator’s Trasylol claims is pending. The
U.S. government has declined to intervene at the present time.
Baycol™: A qui tam complaint (filed by the same relator as in Trasylol™ / Avelox™) asserting Bayer fraudu-
lently induced a contract with the Department of Defense is pending in the United States District Court in
Minnesota. In October 2018, the District Court judge issued a brief decision denying Bayer’s renewed
motion to dismiss. The case will now proceed with discovery.
Newark Bay Environmental Matters: In the United States, Bayer is one of numerous parties involved in a
series of claims brought by federal and state environmental protection agencies. The claims arise from
operations by entities which historically were conducted near Newark Bay or surrounding bodies of water,
or which allegedly discharged hazardous waste into these waterways or onto nearby land. Bayer and the
other potentially responsible parties are being asked to remediate and contribute to the payment of past
and future remediation or restoration costs and damages. In 2016, Bayer learned that two major potentially
responsible parties had filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. While Bayer
remains unable to determine the extent of its liability for these matters, this development is likely to ad-
versely affect the share of costs potentially allocated to Bayer.
In the Lower Passaic River matter, a group of more than sixty companies including Bayer is investigating
contaminated sediments in the riverbed under the supervision of the United States Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) and other governmental authorities. Future remediation will involve some form of dredging, the
nature and scope of which are not yet defined, and potentially other tasks. The cost of the investigation and
the remediation work may be substantial if the final remedy involves extensive dredging and disposal of im-
pacted sediments. In July 2018, Occidental Chemical Company, one of the parties potentially liable for clean-
up costs in the Lower Passaic River, filed a lawsuit in New Jersey federal court seeking contribution and cost
recovery from dozens of other potentially responsible parties, including a Bayer subsidiary, for past and future
cleanup costs. Bayer is currently unable to determine the extent of its liability in this matter. In the Newark
Bay matter, an unaffiliated party is currently conducting an investigation of sediments in Newark Bay under
EPA supervision. The investigation is in a preliminary stage. Bayer has contributed to certain investigation
costs in the past and may incur costs for future investigation and remediation activities in Newark Bay.
Bayer has also been notified by governmental authorities acting as natural resource trustees that it may
have liability for natural resource damages arising from the contamination of the Lower Passaic River,
Newark Bay and surrounding water bodies. Bayer is currently unable to determine the extent of its liability.
Asbestos: In many cases, plaintiffs allege that Bayer and co-defendants employed third parties on their
sites in past decades without providing them with sufficient warnings or protection against the known dan-
gers of asbestos. Additionally, a Bayer affiliate in the United States is the legal successor to companies
that sold asbestos products until 1976. Union Carbide has agreed to indemnify Bayer for this liability. Simi-
larly, Bayer’s subsidiary Monsanto faces numerous claims based on exposure to asbestos at Monsanto
premises without adequate warnings or protections and based on manufacture and sale of asbestos-
containing products. Bayer believes it has meritorious defenses and intends to defend itself vigorously.
One A Day™ vitamins: Bayer has been named in a class action lawsuit in the United States alleging Bayer’s
claims on its One A Day™ vitamins regarding the support of heart health, immunity and physical energy are
false and misleading. The class is defined as California, Florida and New York residents who purchased
One A Day™ products with the claims at issue. In September 2018, plaintiffs asserted through the filing of
an expert report their alleged potential damages. Bayer’s challenge of the class certification is currently
pending in the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Bayer believes it has meritorious defenses and in-
tends to defend itself vigorously.
PCB: Bayer’s subsidiary Monsanto has been named in lawsuits brought by various governmental entities
in the United States claiming that Monsanto, Pharmacia and Solutia, collectively as a manufacturer of
PCBs, should be responsible for a variety of damages due to PCBs in bodies of water, regardless of how
PCBs came to be located there. Monsanto also faces numerous lawsuits claiming personal injury and / or
Bayer Annual Report 2018
B Consolidated Financial Statements
253
Notes to the Statements of Financial Position
property damage due to use of and exposure to PCB products. PCBs are man-made chemicals that were
widely used for various purposes until the manufacture of PCBs was prohibited by the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States in 1979. We believe that we have meritorious defenses and
intend to defend ourselves vigorously.
Tax Proceedings
Stamp taxes in Greece: In 2014, 2016 and 2017, a Greek administrative court of first instance dismissed
Bayer’s lawsuits against the assessment of stamp taxes and contingent penalties in a total amount of ap-
proximately €130 million on certain intra-Group loans to a Greek subsidiary. Bayer is convinced that the
decisions are wrong and either has appealed the relevant decisions or plans to do so in due course. Bayer
believes it has meritorious arguments to support its legal position and intends to defend itself vigorously.
254
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Notes to the Statements of Cash Flows
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Notes to the Statements
of Cash Flows
The statement of cash flows shows how cash inflows and outflows during the fiscal year affected the cash
and cash equivalents of the Bayer Group.
Of the cash and cash equivalents, an amount of €14 million (2017: €17 million) had limited availability due
to foreign exchange restrictions. Past experience has shown such restrictions to be of short duration.
The cash flows reported by consolidated companies outside the eurozone are translated at average
monthly exchange rates, with the exception of cash and cash equivalents, which are translated at closing
rates. The “Change in cash and cash equivalents due to exchange rate movements” is reported in a sepa-
rate line item.
30. Net cash provided by (used in) operating, investing
and financing activities
The operating cash flow (total) declined by 2.7% in 2018, to €7,917 million. Covestro was still included in
the prior-year period. The operating cash flow from continuing operations was up 19.8% from the previ-
ous year.
The net cash outflow for investing activities in 2018 amounted to €34,152 million (2017: €432 million).
There was an outflow of €45,290 million for the acquisition of Monsanto, net of €2,657 million in cash ac-
quired from Monsanto. There was a net inflow of €7,291 million from the divestments to BASF. Additions to
property, plant and equipment and intangible assets in 2018 resulted in a cash outflow of €2,593 million
(2017: €2,366 million). Cash inflows from sales of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets
amounted to €230 million (2017: €241 million). The net cash inflow from noncurrent and current financial
assets amounted to €5,717 million (2017: €1,230 million), and included net inflows of €2,909 million from
the sale and repurchase of Covestro shares.
There was a net cash inflow of €23,432 million (2017: net cash outflow of €1,881 million) for financing
activities. Net borrowings amounted to €17,819 million (2017: net loan repayments of €2,479 million). Cash
outflows for dividend payments amounted to €2,407 million (2017: €2,364 million). Net interest payments –
including payments for and receipts from interest-rate swaps – increased to €919 million (2017:
€732 million). Capital increases resulted in an inflow of €8,986 million.
The change in financial liabilities is presented in the following table:
B 30/1
Financial Liabilities
€ million
Bonds and notes / promissory
notes
Liabilities to banks
Liabilities under finance
leases
Liabilities from derivatives
Other financial liabilities
Total
1 Including discount effects
Cash flows
Noncash changes
Dec. 31,
2017
Acquisition
Currency
effects
New
contracts
Fair value
1
changes
Dec. 31,
2018
12,436
16,803
534
3,352
238
240
970
(43)
(1)
(2,292)
14,418
17,819
5,596
1,072
133
1
1,855
8,657
648
(93)
9
(1)
14
577
–
–
62
–
–
62
(81)
–
–
(67)
9
35,402
4,865
399
172
556
(139)
41,394
Bayer Annual Report 2018
B Consolidated Financial Statements
255
Other Information
Other Information
31. Audit fees
Deloitte has been Bayer’s auditor since 2017. The Independent Auditor’s Report on the consolidated finan-
cial statements for fiscal 2018 was signed by Heiner Kompenhans and Prof. Frank Beine. Both signed the
Independent Auditor’s Report for the first time for the year ended December 31, 2017, and are the respon-
sible audit partners.
The following fees for the services of the worldwide network of Deloitte or Deloitte GmbH
Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft (Deloitte GmbH WPG) were recognized as expenses:
Audit Fees
€ million
Financial statements auditing
Audit-related services and other audit work
Tax consultancy
Other services
Total
B 31/1
of which
Deloitte GmbH WPG
2017
2018
3
2
–
4
9
6
3
–
2
11
Deloitte
2018
15
3
3
4
25
2017
9
2
1
5
17
The fees for the auditing of financial statements mainly comprised those for the audits of the consolidated
financial statements of the Bayer Group and the financial statements of Bayer AG and its subsidiaries. The
non-audit-related services primarily related to due diligence services concerning business entities consid-
ered for divestment (Other services), the assessment of financial and nonfinancial information outside of
financial statement auditing (Audit-related services and other audit work), and compliance-related tax con-
sultancy services that had neither a material or direct impact on the annual financial statements or consoli-
dated financial statements.
32. Related parties
Related parties as defined in IAS 24 are those legal entities and natural persons that are able to exert
influence on Bayer AG and its subsidiaries or over which Bayer AG or its subsidiaries exercise control or
joint control or have a significant influence. They include, in particular, nonconsolidated subsidiaries, joint
ventures and associates included in the consolidated financial statements at fair value or using the equity
method, and post-employment benefit plans. Related parties also include the corporate officers of Bayer
AG whose compensation is reported in Note [33] and in the Compensation Report, which forms part of
the Combined Management Report.
256
B Consolidated Financial Statements
Other Information
Bayer Annual Report 2018
B 32/1
Related Parties
€ million
Nonconsolidated
subsidiaries
Joint ventures
Associates
Post-employment
benefit plans
Sales of goods
and services
Purchase of goods
and services
Receivables
Liabilities
2017
2018
2017
2018
2017
2018
2017
2018
5
25
84
–
8
1
219
–
6
–
84
–
5
–
36
–
6
3
119
974
8
4
2
837
16
164
87
70
26
178
3
215
Intercompany profits and losses for companies accounted for in the consolidated financial statements
using the equity method were immaterial in 2018 and 2017.
Covestro ceased to be recognized as an associate in May 2018. Receivables and liabilities from associates
therefore declined.
In May 2018, Bayer AG acquired 6.8% of Covestro shares from Bayer Pension Trust e. V. at market value
for a total amount of €1.1 billion to service the exchangeable bond that matures in 2020. As a result of the
stock buyback program implemented by Covestro AG, we held 7.5% of shares in that company as of
December 31, 2018.
Bayer AG has undertaken to provide jouissance right capital (Genussrechtskapital) in the form of an inter-
est-bearing loan with a nominal volume of €150 million (2017: €150 million) for Bayer-Pensionskasse
VVaG. The entire amount remained drawn as of December 31, 2018. The carrying amount was
€152 million (2017: €152 million). Loan capital was first provided to Bayer-Pensionskasse VVaG in 2008 for
its effective initial fund. This capital had a nominal volume of €635 million as of December 31, 2018 (2017:
€595 million). The carrying amount was €643 million (2017: €605 million). The outstanding receivables,
comprised of different tranches, are each subject to a five-year interest-rate adjustment mechanism. Inter-
est income of €16 million (2017: €15 million) and expenses of €8 million due to fair value changes were
recognized for 2018.
As in the prior year, we did not recognize any material impairment losses on receivables from associates
in 2018.
33. Total compensation of the Board of Management and
the Supervisory Board, advances and loans
In 2018, the compensation of the Supervisory Board amounted to €3,897 thousand (2017:
€3,703 thousand), and the compensation of the Board of Management totaled €20,552 thousand
(2017: €26,168 thousand). The total compensation of the Board of Management included a short-term
component of €15,149 thousand (2017: €11,304 thousand) and a long-term component of
€5,403 thousand (2017: €12,886 thousand), with stock-based compensation accounting for
€1,914 thousand (2017: €8,979 thousand) of this figure.
Pension payments to former members of the Board of Management and their surviving dependents in
2018 amounted to €17,138 thousand (2017: €12,758 thousand). The defined benefit obligation for former
members of the Board of Management and their surviving dependents amounted to €185,736 thousand
(2017: €184,479 thousand). In addition, severance payments of €0 thousand (2017: €1,978 thousand)
were made in connection with the termination of a service contract. There were no advances or loans to
members of the Board of Management or the Supervisory Board outstanding as of December 31, 2018,
nor at any time during 2018 or 2017.
Further details of the compensation of the Board of Management and Supervisory Board are given in the
Compensation Report within the Management Report.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
B Consolidated Financial Statements
257
Other Information
34. Events after the end of the reporting period
Repayment of financial liabilities
The syndicated credit facility drawn in June 2018 to finance the acquisition of Monsanto was reduced by a
further US$1.1 billion to US$3.8 billion in February 2019.
PEGylated factor VIII:
In February 2019, a federal court jury awarded US$155 million in damages to Bayer at the end of a trial
regarding Bayer’s claims against Baxalta Incorporated and Baxalta US Inc. (Baxalta) for infringement of a
Bayer patent. In 2016, Bayer had filed a complaint in a U.S. federal court against Baxalta, a subsidiary of
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, for infringement of the patent by Adynovate™ (PEGylated re-
combinant factor VIII), approved in the United States for the treatment of hemophilia. Baxalta may appeal.
Leverkusen, February 19, 2019
Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
The Board of Management
258
Responsibility Statement
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Responsibility Statement
To the best of our knowledge, and in accordance with the applicable reporting principles for financial
reporting, the consolidated financial statements give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial
position and profit or loss of the Bayer Group, and the combined management report includes a fair review
of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Bayer Group and Bayer AG,
together with a description of the principal opportunities and risks associated with the expected develop-
ment of the Bayer Group and Bayer AG.
Leverkusen, February 19, 2019
Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
The Board of Management
Werner Baumann
Chairman
Liam Condon
Dr. Hartmut Klusik
Kemal Malik
Wolfgang Nickl
Stefan Oelrich
Heiko Schipper
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Independent Auditor’s Report
259
Independent Auditor’s Report
To: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft, Leverkusen
REPORT ON THE AUDIT OF THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND THE
COMBINED MANAGEMENT REPORT
Audit opinions
We audited the consolidated financial statements of Bayer Aktiengesellschaft, Leverkusen, and its subsidi-
aries (the Group) – consisting of the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018, the consolidat-
ed income statement and consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the consolidated statement
of cash flows and the consolidated statement of changes in equity for the fiscal year from January 1
through December 31, 2018 and also the Notes to the consolidated financial statements, together with a
summary of significant accounting methods. Furthermore, we audited the management report of Bayer
Aktiengesellschaft, Leverkusen, combined with the management report of the parent company, for the
fiscal year from January 1 through December 31, 2018. In accordance with German statutory provisions,
we did not audit the contents of the components of the combined management report named in the
Appendix to our auditors’ report.
In our opinion, based on the findings of our audit,
// the accompanying consolidated financial statements comply in all material respects with the IFRS as
adopted by the EU and the additional requirements of German law pursuant to § 315e (1) HGB and give
a true and fair view of the net assets and financial position of the Group as of December 31, 2018 and
of its results of operations for the fiscal year from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018; and
// the accompanying combined management report provides a suitable overall view of the Group’s
situation. In all material respects, this combined management report is consistent with the consolidated
financial statements, complies with German legal requirements, and suitably presents the opportunities
and risks of future development. Our audit opinion on the combined management report does not
extend to the content of the components of the combined management report mentioned in the
Appendix to the auditors’ report.
In accordance with Section 322 (3.1) HGB, we state that our audit has not led to any objections to the
correctness of the consolidated financial statements and the combined management report.
Basis for the audit opinions
We conducted our audit of the consolidated financial statements and the combined management report in
accordance with Section 317 HGB and the EU Auditors’ Regulation (No. 537/2014; hereafter referred to as
“EU Audit Regulation”) in compliance with the generally accepted German standards for the audit of finan-
cial statements promulgated by the Institut der Wirtschaftsprüfer (IDW). We conducted our audit of the
consolidated financial statements with additional regard for the International Standards on Auditing (ISA).
Our responsibility pursuant to these regulations, principles, and standards is described in more detail in the
section “Auditor’s responsibility for the audit of the consolidated financial statements and the combined
management report” of our Audit Report. We are independent of the Group companies in accordance with
European and German commercial and professional regulations and have fulfilled our other German pro-
fessional obligations in accordance with these requirements. Furthermore we state, in accordance with
Article 10 (2f) EU Audit Regulation, that we have rendered no inadmissible non-audit services within the
meaning of Article 5 (1) EU Audit Regulation. We believe that the audit evidence we obtained is sufficient
and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinions on the consolidated financial statements and
combined management report.
260
Independent Auditor’s Report
Bayer-Annual Report 2018
Particularly important audit issues in the audit of the consolidated financial statements
Particularly important audit issues are those issues that we considered – at our due discretion – to be the
most significant in our audit of the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year from January 1
through December 31, 2018. These issues have been taken into account in connection with our audit of
the consolidated financial statements as a whole and in forming our opinion thereon; we do not express a
separate opinion on these issues.
We present below what we consider to be the particularly important audit issues:
Intrinsic value (recoverability) of goodwill and brand rights
1. Acquisition of Monsanto Company
2.
3. Depiction of risks from product-related legal disputes
4. Depiction of research and development costs
5. Financial instruments – hedge accounting
6. Adjustments to EBITDA and EBIT for special items
We have structured our presentation of these particularly important audit issues as follows:
a) Description of issue (including reference to associated disclosures in the consolidated financial state-
ments)
b) Audit approach
1. Acquisition of Monsanto Company
a) On June 7, 2018, the Bayer Group acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of Monsanto Company,
based in St. Louis, Missouri, United States, (Monsanto), for a purchase price of EUR 48bn. Bayer ac-
counts for the business combination in accordance with IFRS 3.
The assets, liabilities, and contingent liabilities recognized at fair value in connection with the acquisi-
tion of the Monsanto business are based on values from the purchase price allocation performed by
Bayer on the basis of a preliminary valuation opinion prepared on February 8, 2019, by KPMG Ak-
tiengesellschaft, Munich, as a neutral expert. Previously unrecognized intangible assets were recog-
nized primarily for seed and trait technologies, herbicides and digital platforms (EUR 17,152m), re-
search and development projects (EUR 4,637m), and product brand rights (EUR 3,941m). The fair
values underlying the purchase price allocation are derived from expert valuations based on asset-
specific, maturity-dependent discount rates (6,3% to 11.8%) and were determined on the basis of
Bayer’s planning as of the acquisition date, with the technologies in particular taking appropriate ac-
count of separability and economic value added. Taking into account the other net assets measured at
fair value, goodwill amounts to EUR 24,455m (51% of the consideration transferred). The write-downs
to assets recognized at fair value, in particular technologies and brands, resulted in expenses of
EUR 1,045m in the year under review. The goodwill recognized in the balance sheet is subject to an
annual impairment test (cf. topic 2.).
Within the framework of our audit, the matter was of particular significance due to the complexity of
the transaction and the associated risk of material misrepresentations of the net assets, financial posi-
tion, and results of operations as well as the assumptions and discretionary estimates made by Man-
agement in carrying out the purchase price allocation.
The Company’s disclosures on the acquisition of the Monsanto Group are contained in Section 5.2 of
the Notes to the consolidated financial statements.
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b) Within the framework of our audit we verified, among other things on the basis of the inter-company
agreements and the stipulations of the antitrust authorities as well as the criteria defined in IFRS 10,
Management’s assessment that Bayer took control of Monsanto on June 7, 2018, and is required to
consolidate it in the consolidated financial statements.
Within the framework of the audit of the preliminary purchase price allocation, we evaluated the con-
sideration transferred by Bayer and the methodical approach of the external appraiser engaged by
Management with regard to the identification of the acquired assets and the conceptual assessment of
the valuation models, taking into account the requirements of IFRS 3. In consultation with our internal
valuation specialists, we reconstructed the valuation methods applied, taking into account the re-
quirements of IFRS 13. We analyzed assumptions and discretionary estimates such as growth rates,
capital costs, license rates or remaining useful lives to determine the fair values of the acquired and
identifiable assets and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed at the acquisition date to determine
whether these correspond to general and industry-specific market expectations. We reconstructed the
models on which the valuations are based and plausibilized the expected future cash flows adduced
and compared the fair values with the assumptions and expectations of expert external market partici-
pants at the time of acquisition. One emphasis of our audit was on determining the fair values of tech-
nologies and research projects.
We also examined whether the accounting methods complying with Bayer accounting principles were
applied uniformly at the Monsanto companies and whether the tax effects of the business combination
were recognized in the balance sheet. We retraced the presentation of the initial consolidation, includ-
ing the non-controlling interests, in the consolidation system. We also audited the disclosures in the
notes to the consolidated financial statements relating to the acquisition of the Monsanto Group ac-
cording to the relevant requirements of IFRS 3.
2. Intrinsic value (recoverability) of goodwill and brand rights
a)
In the consolidated financial statements, an amount of EUR 38,146m (30% of total Group assets) is
reported under the balance sheet item “Goodwill”. In addition, brand rights of EUR 9,104m (7% of the
Group’s total assets) are reported under “Other intangible assets”. The Company allocates goodwill to
the strategic business units or groups of strategic business units within the Bayer Group. Regular im-
pairment tests of goodwill and case-related impairment tests of brand rights compare the respective
carrying amounts with their recoverable amounts. Fundamentally, the recoverable amount is deter-
mined on the basis of the fair value less costs to sell. The present value of future cash flows is used as
a basis, since as a rule no market values are available for the individual strategic business units. The
present value is determined using discounted cash flow models based on the Bayer Group’s four-year
operating planning drawn up by Management and approved by the Supervisory Board and perpetuat-
ed with assumptions about long-term growth rates. Discounting is based on the weighted average
cost of capital of the reporting segments concerned. The result of this valuation depends to a large ex-
tent on the estimates by the Management of the future cash flows of the strategic business unit con-
cerned and the discount rate used and is therefore fraught with considerable uncertainty. In the light of
this, and owing to the underlying complexity of the valuation models, this issue was of particular im-
portance within the framework of our audit.
The Company’s disclosures on goodwill and brand rights are contained in Sections 3 and 14 of the
Notes to the consolidated financial statements.
b)
In our audit, among other things we reconstructed the methodology used to perform the impairment
tests and assessed the calculation of the weighted cost of capital. We convinced ourselves of the ap-
propriateness of the future cash inflows used in the valuation, among other things by recording and
critically assessing the underlying planning process. We also compared this information with the cur-
rent budget from the four-year plan drawn up by Management and approved by the Supervisory
Board, and reconciled it with general and industry-specific market expectations. For this, we also con-
vinced ourselves that the costs of the Group functions included in the Corporate Functions and Con-
solidation segment of segment reporting were appropriately taken into account in the impairment test
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of the strategic business unit concerned. We studied intensively the parameters used to determine the
discount rate applied and assessed the completeness and correctness of the calculation scheme. Ow-
ing to the material significance of goodwill, we further performed additional sensitivity analyses of our
own for the strategic business units (carrying amount in comparison to the recoverable amount).
3. Depiction of risks arising from product-related legal disputes
a) Bayer Group companies are involved in legal and out-of-court proceedings with public authorities,
competitors, and other parties. These give rise to legal risks, in particular in the areas of product liabil-
ity, competition and anti-trust law, patent law, tax law, and environmental protection.
In addition, by January 28, 2019, Monsanto, a subsidiary of Bayer AG, had been served in the United
States with actions for compensation and punitive damages by approximately 11,200 plaintiffs alleging
that their contact with products containing glyphosate manufactured by Monsanto had resulted in
damage to their health. In addition, by January 28, 2019, the Bayer Group had been served in the
United States with claims for compensation and punitive damages from about 24,900 users of the
product Xarelto™. By January 28, 2019, the Bayer Group had been served with lawsuits in the USA
by about 29,400 users of Essure™, in each of which compensation and punitive damages were like-
wise claimed. Against the background of pending and expected product liability lawsuits relating to the
product Mirena™, by January 28, 2019 the Bayer Group had been served in the United States with
lawsuits from approximately 2,360 users of Mirena™.
Whether a pending legal dispute makes the recognition of a provision to cover the risk necessary and,
if so, to what extent, is determined to a large extent by estimates and assumptions by Management.
Against this background, and in view of the amount of the claims asserted, the above-mentioned
product-related disputes of the Bayer Group were of particular significance from our point of view.
The disclosures about and explanations of the legal disputes mentioned are contained in Section 29 of
the Notes to the consolidated financial statements.
b) Within the framework of our audit, we assessed, among other things, the process established by the
Company to ensure the recognition, the estimate of the outcome of the proceedings, and the account-
ing presentation of a legal dispute. Furthermore, we held regular discussions with the Company’s in-
ternal legal department in order to be informed about current developments and the reasons that led
to the corresponding estimates. The development of material legal disputes, including the estimates
by Management with regard to the possible outcome of proceedings, was made available to us in writ-
ing by Bayer AG’s internal legal department. As of the closing date, we furthermore obtained external
attorney’s certificates, which we compared with the risk assessment made by Management about the
product-related disputes named in the “Description of the facts” section. Taking these estimates into
account, we also critically assessed the assumptions underlying the provisions for expected defense
costs and checked the amount of the provisions for plausibility on the basis of experience from similar
proceedings in the past and on other evidence.
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263
4. Depiction of restructuring issues
a) At the end of 2018, the Management of Bayer Aktiengesellschaft announced a comprehensive restruc-
turing program for the entire Bayer Group. The program essentially involves the cutback of up to
12,000 jobs in the next three fiscal years. A provision of EUR 611m was recognized for the severance
payment obligations specified up to the end of the fiscal year. A not inconsiderable part of the job cuts
is attributable to Germany, where redundancies for operational reasons are excluded until 2025 owing
to works agreements. In order to implement the restructuring program, appropriate discussions with
employee bodies were already held in 2018, as a basis for job cuts and for the recognition of restruc-
turing provisions. In our opinion, this matter was of particular importance for our audit, as the recogni-
tion and measurement of the provision are to a large extent based on estimates and assumptions
made by Management.
The Group’s disclosures on the restructuring provision are contained in Section 23 of the Notes to the
consolidated financial statements.
b) We investigated whether a restructuring provision that is in accordance with the definition in IAS 37.10
has been recognized. To this end, we verified compliance with the general recognition and measure-
ment requirements for provisions, including the criteria of IAS 37.70 et seq. that further specify these
requirements and – insofar as provisions for employee benefits in connection with the termination of
employment are involved – with the relevant provisions of IAS 19. For this purpose, we received and
verified the corresponding evidence and calculation documents from Management. We critically as-
sessed and verified the plausibility of the estimates and assumptions of Management on which the ev-
idence and calculation principles are based as to the extent to which the recognition and amount of
the provisions are appropriate. In particular, we evaluated information documents (resolutions,
minutes, presentations) supplied to employee representatives in Germany as to whether the employ-
ees were sufficiently informed thereby in concrete terms about the restructuring programs and individ-
ual components of the planned restructuring measures in the 2018 fiscal year. We furthermore investi-
gated whether and to what extent Management had informed the employees in the various
departments and/or at the various locations about the planned job cuts. Based on this, we examined
whether the criteria for the recognition of the provision had been met as of the balance sheet date. In
order to check the plausibility of the amount of the provisions, we analyzed, among other things, the
job reduction programs developed in the personnel departments with regard to the premises set for
the amount of severance offers to employees and the expected acceptance rates. We discussed the
restructuring programs in detail with those responsible in the personnel departments and critically
questioned the premises that had been set. We also examined the disclosures in the Notes to the
consolidated financial statements relating to the restructuring measures in the light of the relevant re-
quirements of IAS 37.
5. Financial instruments - hedge accounting
a) Bayer Group companies conclude a large number of different derivative financial instruments to hedge
against currency, commodity price, and interest rate risks from ordinary business operations. The ba-
sis for this is the hedging policy prescribed by Management, which is documented in appropriate in-
ternal guidelines. The currency risk essentially results from sales and procurement transactions, and
also financing transactions in foreign currencies. Raw material price risks are primarily associated with
procurement transactions, in particular the procurement of propagated seed. The aim of interest rate
hedging is to achieve a reasonable relationship between variable and fixed interest rates. Derivative fi-
nancial instruments are recognized at their fair value as of balance sheet date. The positive fair values
of all derivative financial instruments used as hedges amount to EUR 204m as of the closing date (i.e.,
0.2% of total Group assets), the negative fair values amounted to EUR 482m (i.e., 0.4% of total Group
assets). To the extent that the financial instruments used by the Bayer Group are effective hedges of
future cash flows under hedge accounting in accordance with IFRS 9, changes in fair value are recog-
nized in equity until the due date of the hedged cash flow (effective portion) over the term of the hedge
relationship. As of the balance sheet date, a cumulative amount of EUR 115m had been recognized as
expenses and income not affecting pre-tax profit or loss. From our point of view, these issues were of
particular significance due to the high complexity and large number of transactions as well as the ex-
tensive accounting and reporting requirements imposed by IFRS 9, which is to be applied for the first
time in 2018.
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The disclosures on hedge accounting are contained in Sections 3 and 27 of the Notes to the consoli-
dated financial statements.
b) Within the framework of our audit, and with the support of our internal specialists from the Financial
Risk unit, we assessed the contractual and financial fundamentals of the financial instruments, among
other things, and reconstructed the accounting, including the effects on equity and earnings of the
various hedging transactions. Jointly with our specialists, we also assessed the Company’s internal
control system in the area of derivative financial instruments, including the internal monitoring of com-
pliance with the hedging policy, and reviewed the controls with regard to design, implementation, and
effectiveness. Furthermore, while auditing the fair value measurement of the financial instruments, we
also checked, on the basis of market data and within the framework of our risk assessment, the calcu-
lation methods of representatively selected samples and reconstructed the correct implementation of
the methods in the system. We also based our assessment of the completeness of the transactions
recognized on a portfolio comparison with the counterparties. In order to audit the effectiveness of the
hedging transactions, we analyzed the various methods (prospectively critical term match method; ret-
rospectively dollar offset method) and, within the framework of our risk assessment, traced their cor-
rect implementation in the system. With regard to the expected cash flows, we essentially assessed
the past hedging ratios in retrospect.
6. Adjustments to EBITDA and EBIT for special items
a) For management and analysis purposes, the Bayer Group adduces EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest,
Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization, and also impairment losses and reinstatements), adjusted for
special items (by their nature or amount special effects). Bayer AG’s segment reporting in the consoli-
dated financial statements discloses adjustments of EUR 2,566m to EBIT and EUR +719m to EBITDA.
EBIT adjusted for special items are used for the calculation of adjusted net income from continuing
operations, which is needed to calculate adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations (core
EPS). EBITDA adjusted for special items and core EPS are used by Bayer as key financial performance
indicators in its capital market communications. These two key indicators are furthermore adduced as
the degree of target achievement for the annual performance-based compensation of Bayer Group
employees. The adjustments to EBIT and EBITDA were of particular significance within the framework
of our audit, as they are made on the basis of the Bayer Group’s internal accounting guideline and
there is a risk that Management might exercise their discretionary powers one-sidedly.
The Company’s disclosures on the adjustments to EBIT and EBITDA and the derivation thereof are
presented in Section 4 of the Notes to the consolidated financial statements.
b) We reconstructed the calculation of EBIT and EBITDA adjusted for special items and critically exam-
ined the identification of the Group companies’ special items taken into account by Management. We
analyzed the composition of the adjustments to determine the extent to which the individual compo-
nents comply with the relevant internal guidelines for special items and have been appropriately elimi-
nated from EBIT and EBITDA. At the same time we made use of the findings of our audit and the in-
formation provided to us by Management to examine whether the adjustments were made in
accordance with the definitions and procedure set out in the notes to the combined management re-
port and segment reporting.
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265
Other information
Management is responsible for the other information. This other information includes:
// the components of the combined management report named in the Appendix to the Auditors’ Report
that were not audited as to their contents,
// the declaration by Management regarding the consolidated financial statements and the combined
management report pursuant to § 297 (2.4) HGB and § 315 (1.5) HGB, and
// the remaining components of the annual report, with the exception of the audited consolidated financial
statements and the combined management report and our Auditors’ Report.
Our audit opinions on the consolidated financial statements and on the combined management report do
not extend to this other information and, accordingly, we express neither an opinion nor any other form of
audit conclusion on them.
In connection with our audit of the consolidated financial statements, it is our responsibility to read the
other information and to assess whether the other information
// displays significant discrepancies with the consolidated financial statements, the combined management
report or with our knowledge gained during the audit,
// otherwise appears to be substantially incorrectly presented.
Should we, on the basis of our work, conclude that there is a material misrepresentation in this other in-
formation, we are required to report on this fact. We have nothing to report in this connection.
Responsibility of the Management and the Supervisory Board for the consolidated financial
statements and the combined management report
Management is responsible for the preparation of consolidated financial statements which comply in all
material respects with the IFRSs as adopted by the EU, and with the additional requirements of German
law pursuant to Section 315e (1) HGB, and for ensuring that the consolidated financial statements give a
true and fair view of the net assets, financial position, and results of operations of the Group while observ-
ing these requirements. Management is furthermore responsible for the internal controls which they have
determined are necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from
material misstatements, whether intentional or unintentional.
In preparing the consolidated financial statements, Management is responsible for assessing the Group’s
ability to continue its business activities. Furthermore, they are responsible for disclosing matters relating
to the continuation of business activities, if relevant. They are moreover responsible for accounting on the
basis of the accounting policy of continuing operations, unless there is an intention to liquidate the Group
or discontinue operations, or there is no realistic alternative.
Management is also responsible for preparing the combined management report, which as a whole pro-
vides a suitable view of the Group’s situation and is consistent in all material respects with the consolidat-
ed financial statements, complies with German legal requirements and suitably presents the opportunities
and risks of future development. Management is further responsible for the arrangements and measures
(systems) that they deem necessary to enable the preparation of a combined management report in ac-
cordance with the applicable German legal provisions and to provide sufficient suitable evidence for the
assertions in the combined management report.
The Supervisory Board is responsible for monitoring the Group’s accounting process for preparing the
consolidated financial statements and the combined management report.
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Auditors’ responsibility for the audit of the consolidated financial statements and the combined
management report
Our objective is to obtain reasonable assurance as to whether the consolidated financial statements as a
whole are free from material – intentional or unintentional – misstatements, and whether the combined
management report as a whole provides a suitable view of the Group’s situation and is in all material
respects consistent with the financial statements and with the findings of the audit, complies with German
legal requirements, and suitably presents the opportunities and risks of future development, and to issue
an auditors’ report containing our audit opinions on the consolidated financial statements and the
combined management report.
Reasonable assurance is a high degree of certainty, but there is no guarantee that an audit conducted in
accordance with Section 317 HGB and the EU Audit Regulation, observing generally accepted auditing
principles for the audit of financial statements promulgated by the Institute of Public Auditors in Germany
(IDW), and in supplementary observance of the ISAs will always reveal a material misrepresentation.
Misstatements may result from violations or inaccuracies and are considered material if it is reasonable to
expect that they will affect, individually or collectively, the economic decisions of addressees made on the
basis of these consolidated financial statements and the combined management report.
During the audit, we exercise due discretion and maintain a critical attitude. In addition to this
// we identify and assess the risks of material misstatements – whether intentional or unintentional – in the
consolidated financial statements and the combined management report, plan and perform audit
procedures in response to these risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and adequate to serve
as a basis for our audit opinions. The risk that material misrepresentations are not detected is higher for
violations than for inaccuracies, as violations may involve fraudulent collaboration, forgeries, intentional
incompleteness, misleading representations, or the overriding of internal controls.
// we gain an understanding of the internal control system relevant to the audit of the consolidated
financial statements and the arrangements and measures relevant to the audit of the combined
management report to plan audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not with the
objective of expressing an audit opinion on the effectiveness of these of the Company’s systems.
// we assess the appropriateness of the financial reporting methods applied by Management and the
tenability of the estimates and related disclosures made by Management.
// we draw conclusions on the appropriateness of the application of the going-concern accounting
principle applied by Management and, on the basis of the audit evidence obtained, whether there is
essential uncertainty in connection with events or circumstances that might give rise to significant
doubts about the Group’s ability to continue operations. If we come to the conclusion that there is
essential uncertainty, we are obliged to draw attention to the related disclosures in the consolidated
financial statements and the combined management report or, if these disclosures are inappropriate, to
modify our relevant audit opinion. We draw our conclusions based on the audit evidence obtained up to
the date of our audit opinion. However, future events or circumstances may result in the Group no longer
being able to continue its business activities.
// we assess the overall presentation, the structure and content of the consolidated financial statements,
including the disclosures, and whether the consolidated financial statements present the underlying
transactions and events in such a way that the consolidated financial statements give a true and fair
view of the net assets, financial position, and results of operations of the Group in accordance with
IFRSs as adopted by the EU and the additional requirements of German law pursuant to Section 315e
(1) HGB.
// we obtain sufficient suitable audit evidence for the accounting information of the companies or business
activities within the Group in order to give our opinion on the consolidated financial statements and the
combined management report. We are responsible for the guidance, supervision, and conduct of the
audit of the consolidated financial statements. We bear sole responsibility for our audit opinions.
// we assess the conformity of the combined management report with the consolidated financial
statements, its legal compliance, and the view it provides of the Group’s situation.
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267
// we perform audit procedures on the forward-looking statements presented by Management in the
combined management report. On the basis of adequate and suitable audit evidence, we trace in
particular the significant assumptions on which Management’s forward-looking statements are based
and assess the proper derivation of the forward-looking statements from these assumptions. We do not
express a separate audit opinion on the forward-looking statements or on the underlying assumptions.
There is a significant, unavoidable risk that future events will differ materially from the forward-looking
statements.
We discuss, with those responsible for monitoring, among other things the planned scope and timing of
the audit and also significant audit findings, including any deficiencies in the internal control system that we
identify during our audit.
We address a declaration that we have complied with the relevant independence requirements to those
responsible for monitoring and discuss with them all relationships and other issues reasonably likely to
affect our independence, and the safeguards we have put in place.
On the basis of the issues which we discussed with those responsible for monitoring, we determine the
issues that were most significant for the audit of the consolidated financial statements in the current re-
porting period and are therefore the particularly important audit issues. We describe these issues in the
auditor’s report, unless laws or other legal provisions exclude the disclosure of such issues.
OTHER STATUTORY AND LEGAL REQUIREMENTS
Other disclosures pursuant to Article 10 EU Audit Regulation
We were elected as auditors by the Annual General Meeting on May 25, 2018. We were engaged by the
Supervisory Board on July 10, 2018. We have been working uninterruptedly as statutory auditors of the
consolidated financial statements of Bayer Aktiengesellschaft, Leverkusen, since the 2017 fiscal year.
We declare that the audit opinions contained in this Auditor’s Report are consistent with the additional
report to the Audit Committee pursuant to Article 11 EU Audit Regulation (Audit Report).
RESPONSIBLE AUDITOR
The public auditor responsible for the audit is Prof. Dr. Frank Beine.
Munich, February 20, 2019
Deloitte GmbH
Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft
Heiner Kompenhans
German Public Auditor
Prof. Dr. Frank Beine
German Public Auditor
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Appendix to the Auditors’ Report: components of the combined management report
that were not audited as to their contents
We did not audit the following components of the combined management report as to their contents:
// the parts marked “audited with limited assurance” and the following sections of the non-financial
statement integrated in the combined management report pursuant to Sections 289b to 289e, 315b and
315c HGB:
Section
Chapter
Diverse stakeholders in focus
1.2.3 Sustainability Management
Collaboration formats aimed at specific target groups
1.2.3 Sustainability Management
Binding and transparent compensation structures
1.4.1 Employees
Quality management of segments
Biodiversity in the segments
Commitment to reducing animal studies
Global pharmaceutical monitoring system
Processes in plant biotechnology
Training of farmers and Bayer employees
Occupational illnesses
Other Direct Air Emissions
Water Use in the Bayer Group 2018
Waste by Means of Disposal
1.6.1 Product Stewardship
1.6.1 Product Stewardship
1.6.1 Product Stewardship
1.6.1 Product Stewardship
1.6.1 Product Stewardship
1.6.1 Product Stewardship
1.6.2 Occupational, Plant and Transportation Safety
1.6.3 Environmental Protection
1.6.3 Environmental Protection
1.6.3 Environmental Protection
Liaison offices – Contact with poltical stakeholders
4.2 Compliance
// the corporate governance statement pursuant to Section 289f and Section 315d HGB contained in
Chapter 4.1 of the combined management report.
Furthermore, we did not audit the content of the following disclosures that are not normally part of the
management report. Disclosures that are not normally part of the management report in the combined
management report are disclosures that are neither required by Sections 289 to 289f, 315 to 315d of the
German Commercial Code (HGB) nor by DRS 20.
// The information in section 2.2.2 of the combined management report on pro forma sales by strategic
business unit of the Crop Science Division.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Independent Auditor’s Report on a Limited Assurance Engagement on Sustainability Information
269
Independent Auditor’s Report on
a Limited Assurance Engagement
on Sustainability Information
To Bayer Aktiengesellschaft, Leverkusen (Germany)
Our engagement
According to our engagement, we have performed a limited assurance engagement on the following
information within the combined management report 2018 of Bayer Aktiengesellschaft, Leverkusen
(Germany), for the period from January 1 to December 31, 2018: Diverse stakeholders in focus,
Collaboration formats aimed at specific target groups, Binding and transparent compensation structures,
Quality management of segments, Biodiversity in the segments, Commitment to reducing animal studies,
Global pharmaceutical monitoring system, Processes in plant biotechnology, Training of farmers and Bayer
employees, Occupational illnesses, Other Direct Air Emissions, Water Use in the Bayer Group 2018, Waste
by Means of Disposal and Liaison offices – Contact with political stakeholders.
Our engagement does not include links to web pages.
Responsibility of the executive directors
The executive directors of Bayer Aktiengesellschaft are responsible for the preparation of infor-mation
listed above in compliance with the Sustainability Reporting Standards of the Global Reporting Initiative
provided in the “Core” option (hereafter: “GRI Standards”) as well as for the selection of the disclosures
to be assessed.
This responsibility of the company’s executive directors includes the selection and application of
appropriate methods for the sustainability reporting as well as making assumptions and estimates related
to individual sustainability disclosures, which are reasonable in the circumstances. In addition, the execu-
tive directors are responsible for such internal controls they have determined necessary to enable the
preparation of information listed above that is free from material misstatements, whether intentional or
unintentional.
Practitioner’s responsibility
Our responsibility is to express a limited assurance conclusion on the disclosures as listed above in the
combined management report 2018, based on the assurance engagement we have performed.
We are independent of Bayer Aktiengesellschaft in accordance with the provisions under German commer-
cial law and professional requirements, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance
with these requirements.
Our audit company applies the German national legal requirements and the German profession’s pro-
nouncements for quality control, in particular the by-laws governing the rights and duties of public auditors
and chartered accountants (Berufssatzung für Wirtschaftsprüfer und vereidigte Buchprüfer) as well as the
IDW Standard on Quality Control 1: Requirements for Quality Control in Audit Firms [IDW Qualitätssicher-
ungsstandard 1: Anforderungen an die Qualitätssicherung in der Wirtschaftsprüferpraxis (IDW QS 1)],
which comply with the International Standard on Quality Control 1 (ISQC 1) issued by the International
Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB).
We conducted our assurance engagement in compliance with the International Standard on Assurance
Engagements (ISAE) 3000 (Revised): “Assurance Engagements other than Audits or Reviews of Historical
Financial Information” issued by the IAASB. This standard requires that we plan and perform the assurance
engagement in a form that enables us to conclude with limited assurance that nothing has come to our
attention that causes us to believe that the information as listed above in the combined management re-
port 2018 of Bayer Aktiengesellschaft for the period from January 1 to December 31, 2018 has not been
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Bayer Annual Report 2018
prepared, in all material respects, in compliance with the GRI Standards. In a limited assurance engage-
ment the assurance procedures are less in extent than for a reasonable assurance engagement and, there-
fore, a substantially lower level of assurance is obtained. The assurance procedures selected depend on
the practitioner’s professional judgment.
Within the scope of our limited assurance engagement, which was performed – with work stoppages –
from September 2018 to February 2019, we conducted, amongst others, the following audit procedures
and other activities:
// Obtaining an understanding of the structure of the sustainability organization and of the stakeholder
engagement
// An on-site visit to Bergkamen, Dormagen, Frankfurt, Knapsack, Leverkusen, Uerdingen and Wuppertal
(Germany); Muttenz (Switzerland); Vapi (India); as well as Belford Roxo (Brazil) and Kansas City, Luling,
Muscatine, Illiopolis, St. Louis and Soda Springs (USA) as part of an investigation into the processes for
collecting, analyzing and aggregating selected data
// Interview of the relevant employees that participated in the preparation of the information listed above
about the preparation process, about the internal control system relating to the process as well as about
the disclosures
// Identification of the possible risks of material misstatement concerning the information in the annual
report as listed above
// Analytical assessment of disclosures in the combined management report as listed above
// Comparison of selected disclosures with corresponding data in the consolidated financial statements,
the annual financial statements and combined management report
// Evaluation of the presentation of the disclosures
Practitioner’s conclusion
Based on the assurance work performed and evidence obtained, nothing has come to our attention that
causes us to believe that the information in the combined management report of Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
as listed above, for the period from January 1 to December 31, 2018 has not been prepared, in all material
respects, in compliance with the GRI Standards: Option “Core”.
Our conclusion does not include links to internet pages.
Purpose of the assurance statement
We issue this report on the basis of the engagement agreed with Bayer Aktiengesellschaft. The limited
assurance engagement has been performed for purposes of Bayer Aktiengesellschaft and the report is
solely intended to inform Bayer Aktiengesellschaft on the results of the assurance engagement.
Liability
The report is not intended to provide third parties with support in making (financial) decisions. Our respon-
sibility exclusively refers to Bayer Aktiengesellschaft and is also restricted under the engagement agreed
with Bayer Aktiengesellschaft on July 18, 2018 as well as in accordance with the “General engagement
terms for Wirtschaftsprüfer and Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaften (German public auditors and German
public audit firms)” from January 1, 2017 of the Institut der Wirtschaftsprüfer in Deutschland e.V. We do
not assume any responsibility to third parties.
Munich (Germany), February 20, 2019
Deloitte GmbH
Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft
Heiner Kompenhans
German Public Auditor
Prof. Dr. Frank Beine
German Public Auditor
Bayer Annual Report 2018
C Further Information
271
Governance Bodies
Further
Information
Governance Bodies
Supervisory Board
Members of the Supervisory Board held offices as members of the supervisory board or a comparable supervising
body of the corporations listed (as at December 31, 2018, or the date on which they ceased to be members of
the Supervisory Board of Bayer AG) and as shown attended the meetings of the Supervisory Board and committees
to which he or she belonged.
Werner Wenning
Leverkusen, Germany
(born October 21, 1946)
Dr. Paul Achleitner
Munich, Germany
(born September 28, 1956)
Memberships in comparable
supervising bodies of German or
foreign corporations:
André van Broich
Dormagen, Germany
(born June 19, 1970)
Chairman of the Supervisory Board
effective October 2012
Member of the Supervisory Board
effective April 2002
Chairman of the Supervisory Board
of Bayer AG
Chairman of the Supervisory Board
of Deutsche Bank AG
Memberships on other
supervisory boards:
Memberships on other supervisory
boards:
• Henkel Management AG
• Daimler AG
• Siemens AG (Vice Chairman)
• Deutsche Bank AG (Chairman)
Memberships in comparable
supervising bodies of German or
foreign corporations:
Memberships in comparable
supervising bodies of German or
foreign corporations:
• Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
• Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
(Shareholders’ Committee)
(Shareholders’ Committee)
Attendance at Supervisory Board
and committee meetings: 17 of 17
Attendance at Supervisory Board
and committee meetings: 12 of 12
Oliver Zühlke
Solingen, Germany
(born December 11, 1968)
Dr. rer. nat. Simone Bagel-Trah
Düsseldorf, Germany
(born January 10, 1969)
Vice Chairman of the Supervisory
Board effective July 2015
Member of the Supervisory Board
effective April 2014
Member of the Supervisory Board
effective April 2007
Chairman of the Bayer Central
Works Council
Attendance at Supervisory Board
and committee meetings: 13 of 14
Chairwoman of the Supervisory
Board of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
and Henkel Management AG
and of the Shareholders’ Commit-
tee of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
Memberships on other
supervisory boards:
• Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
(Chairwoman)
• Henkel Management AG
(Chairwoman)
• Heraeus Holding GmbH
• Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
(Shareholders’ Committee,
Chairwoman)
Attendance at Supervisory Board
meetings: 6 of 7
Dr. Norbert W. Bischofberger
Hillsborough, U.S.A.
(born January 10, 1956)
Member of the Supervisory Board
effective April 2017
Executive Vice President Research
& Development and Chief Scientific
Officer of Gilead Sciences, Inc.
(until April 2018)
President and Chief Executive
Officer of Kronos Bio, Inc.
(effective May 2018)
Memberships in comparable
supervising bodies of German or
foreign corporations:
• InCarda Therapeutics, Inc.
(Board of Directors)
• Kronos Bio, Inc.
(Board of Directors)
(effective May 2018)
Attendance at Supervisory Board
and committee meetings: 8 of 8
Member of the Supervisory Board
effective April 2012
Chairman of the Bayer Group
Works Council
Chairman of the Works Council
of the Dormagen site
Attendance at Supervisory Board
and committee meetings: 11 of 11
Thomas Ebeling
Muri bei Bern, Switzerland
(born February 9, 1959)
Member of the Supervisory Board
effective April 2012
Chief Executive Officer of
ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE
(until February 2018)
Independent consultant
(effective March 2018)
Memberships on other
supervisory boards:
• Apleona GmbH
(effective June 2018)
(Chairman effective August 2018)
• GfK SE
• ClearVat AG
272
C Further Information
Governance Bodies
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Memberships in comparable
supervising bodies of German or
foreign corporations:
Heike Hausfeld
Leverkusen, Germany
(born September 19, 1965)
Petra Reinbold-Knape
Gladbeck, Germany
(born April 16, 1959)
Dr. Klaus Sturany*
Ascona, Switzerland
(born October 23, 1946)
Member of the Supervisory Board
effective April 2017
Member of the Supervisory Board
effective April 2012
Member of the Supervisory Board
until May 2018
• Cullinan Oncology, LLC
(Board of Directors)
• Heilpflanzenwohl AG
(Board of Directors)
• Ocean Outdoor Ltd.
(Board of Directors)
(effective October 2018)
Attendance at Supervisory Board
meetings: 6 of 7
Dr. Thomas Elsner
Düsseldorf, Germany
(born April 24, 1958)
Member of the Supervisory Board
effective April 2017
Chairman of the Bayer Group
Managerial Employees’ Committee
Chairman of the Managerial
Employees’ Committee of
Bayer AG Leverkusen
Attendance at Supervisory Board
and committee meetings: 11 of 11
Johanna W. (Hanneke) Faber
Amstelveen, Netherlands
(born April 19, 1969)
Member of the Supervisory Board
effective April 2016
President Europe at Unilever
N.V. / plc
Attendance at Supervisory Board
meetings: 6 of 7
Colleen A. Goggins
Princeton, U.S.A.
(born September 9, 1954)
Member of the Supervisory Board
effective April 2017
Independent consultant
Memberships in comparable
supervising bodies of German or
foreign corporations:
Chairwoman of the Works Council
of the Leverkusen site
Memberships on other supervisory
boards:
• Bayer Business Services GmbH
(Vice Chairwoman)
Attendance at Supervisory Board
and committee meetings: 9 of 10
Reiner Hoffmann
Wuppertal, Germany
(born May 30, 1955)
Member of the Supervisory Board
effective October 2006
Chairman of the German Trade
Union Confederation
Attendance at Supervisory Board
meetings: 7 of 7
Frank Löllgen
Cologne, Germany
(born June 14, 1961)
Member of the Supervisory Board
effective November 2015
North Rhine District Secretary of
the German Mining, Chemical and
Energy Industrial Union
Memberships on other supervisory
boards:
• Evonik Industries AG
• IRR-Innovationsregion
Rheinisches Revier GmbH
Attendance at Supervisory Board
and committee meetings: 11 of 11
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Plischke
Aschau im Chiemgau, Germany
(born September 15, 1951)
Member of the Supervisory Board
effective April 2016
• The Toronto-Dominion Bank
Independent consultant
(Board of Directors)
• IQVIA Holdings Inc.
(Board of Directors)
• SIG Combibloc Services AG
(Board of Directors)
(effective September 2018)
Attendance at Supervisory Board
meetings: 7 of 7
Memberships on other supervisory
boards:
• Evotec AG (Chairman)
Attendance at Supervisory Board
and committee meetings: 12 of 12
Member of the Executive
Committee of the German Mining,
Chemical and Energy Industrial
Union
Memberships on other supervisory
boards:
• Lausitz Energie Bergbau AG
(Vice Chairwoman)
• Lausitz Energie Kraftwerk AG
(Vice Chairwoman)
Memberships in comparable
supervising bodies of German or
foreign corporations:
• DGB Rechtsschutz GmbH
(effective February 2018)
Attendance at Supervisory Board
and committee meetings: 9 of 9
Detlef Rennings
Krefeld, Germany
(born April 29, 1965)
Member of the Supervisory Board
effective June 2017
Chairman of the Central Works
Council of CURRENTA
Chairman of the Works Council of
CURRENTA of the Uerdingen site
Memberships on other supervisory
boards:
• Currenta Geschäftsführungs-
GmbH
Member of various supervisory
boards
Memberships on other supervisory
boards:
• Hannover Rück SE
(Vice Chairman)
Attendance at Supervisory Board
and committee meetings: 5 of 5
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Otmar
D. Wiestler
Berlin, Germany
(born November 6, 1956)
Member of the Supervisory Board
effective October 2014
President of the Helmholtz
Association of German Research
Centres
Attendance at Supervisory Board
and committee meetings: 8 of 8
Prof. Dr. Norbert
Winkeljohann*
Osnabrück, Germany
(born November 5, 1957)
Member of the Supervisory Board
effective May 2018
Chairman of the Board of Manage-
ment of PricewaterhouseCoopers
GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesell-
schaft (until June 2018)
Attendance at Supervisory Board
meetings: 7 of 7
Chief Executive Officer of PwC
Europe SE (until June 2018)
Sabine Schaab
Wuppertal, Germany
(born June 25, 1966)
Member of the Supervisory Board
effective October 2017
Vice Chairwoman of the Works
Council of the Elberfeld site
Attendance at Supervisory Board
and committee meetings: 8 of 8
Michael Schmidt-Kießling
Schwelm, Germany
(born March 24, 1959)
Member of the Supervisory Board
effective April 2012
Chairman of the Works Council
of the Elberfeld site
Attendance at Supervisory Board
meetings: 7 of 7
Independent management
consultant (effective July 2018)
Memberships on other supervisory
boards:
• Deutsche Bank AG
(effective August 2018)
• heristo aktiengesellschaft
(Chairman) (effective July 2018)
Attendance at Supervisory Board
and committee meetings: 6 of 6
* Expert member pursuant to Section
100, Paragraph 5 of the German
Stock Corporation Act (AktG)
Bayer Annual Report 2018
C Further Information
273
Governance Bodies
Standing committees of the
Supervisory Board of Bayer AG
(as at December 31, 2018)
Presidial Committee /
Mediation Committee
Wenning (Chairman),
Achleitner, Reinbold-Knape,
Zühlke
Audit Committee
Winkeljohann* (Chairman),
Elsner, Löllgen, Plischke,
Wenning, Zühlke
Human Resources Committee
Wenning (Chairman),
Achleitner, Hausfeld, van Broich
Nominations Committee
Wenning (Chairman),
Achleitner
Innovation Committee
Plischke (Chairman), Bischofberger,
van Broich, Reinbold-Knape,
Schaab, Wenning, Wiestler, Zühlke
Board of Management
Members of the Board of Management held offices as members of the
supervisory board or a comparable supervising body of the corporations
listed (as at December 31, 2018, or the date on which they ceased to
be members of the Board of Management of Bayer AG):
Heiko Schipper
(born August 21, 1969)
Member of the Board of
Management effective
March 1, 2018, appointed
until February 28, 2021
Member of the Board of
Management until May 31, 2018
Johannes Dietsch
(born January 2, 1962)
• Bayer Business Services GmbH
(Chairman)
• Covestro AG
• Covestro Deutschland AG
Member of the Board of
Management until March 31, 2018t
Erica Mann
(born October 11, 1958)
Member of the Board of
Management until October 31, 2018
Dieter Weinand
(born August 16, 1960)
• HealthPrize Technologies LLC
(Board of Directors)
(until March 2018)
• Replimune Inc.
(Board of Directors)
(effective June 2018)
Werner Baumann
(born October 6, 1962)
Chairman
Member of the Board of
Management effective
January 1, 2010, appointed
until April 30, 2021
Liam Condon
(born February 27, 1968)
Member of the Board of
Management effective
January 1, 2016, appointed
until December 31, 2023
Dr. Hartmut Klusik
(born July 30, 1956)
Member of the Board of
Management effective
January 1, 2016, appointed
until December 31, 2019
Labor Director
• Currenta Geschäftsführungs-
GmbH (Chairman)
Kemal Malik
(born September 29, 1962)
Member of the Board of
Management effective
February 1, 2014, appointed
until January 31, 2022
Wolfgang Nickl
(born May 9, 1969)
Member of the Board of
Management effective
April 26, 2018, appointed
until April 25, 2021
• Bayer Business Services GmbH
(Chairman) (effective June 2018)
Stefan Oelrich
(born June 1, 1968)
Member of the Board of
Management effective
November 1, 2018, appointed
until October 31, 2021
274
C Further Information
Glossary
Glossary
Bayer Annual Report 2018
A
G
H
R
3Rs principle (replace, reduce,
refine) Replace: prior to each
project, Bayer checks whether
an approved method is available
that does not rely on animal
studies and then applies it.
Reduce: in case no alternative
method exists, only as many
animals are used as are needed
to achieve scientifically meaning-
ful results based on statutory
requirements. Refine: Bayer
ensures that animal studies are
performed in a way that mini-
mizes any suffering.
S
Significant locations of
operation A selection of coun-
tries that accounted for more
than 80% of total Bayer Group
sales in 2018 (Argentina,
Australia, Brazil, Canada, China,
France, Germany, India, Italy,
Japan, Mexico, Poland, Russia,
Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, the
United Kingdom and the United
States)
Social innovation To tackle
the challenges of our time, we
need to think and work in a
way that goes beyond the
boundaries of scientific disci-
plines and institutions – both in
the science sector and social
domain. The term defines the
process by which new social
practices emerge, prevail and
become more widespread in
various areas of society.
V
Vector control describes meth-
ods for the avoidance or targeted
control of organisms that trans-
mit pathogens triggering infec-
tious diseases. Vectors include
blood-sucking insects such as
the Anopheles mosquito, which
can transfer malaria parasites, for
example.
GHG Protocol The Greenhouse
Gas Protocol is an internationally
recognized tool for recording,
quantifying and reporting green-
house gas emissions. Its stand-
ards cover all emissions within
a company’s value chain. Bayer
aligns itself to the Corporate
Standard for direct (Scope 1)
and indirect (Scope 2) green-
house gas emissions and also
to the Corporate Value Chain
(Scope 3) Accounting and Re-
porting Standard, which covers
further indirect emissions along
the value chain. Dual reporting
was introduced for Scope 2.
Indirect emissions have to be
reported using both the location-
based and the market-based
methods. The location-based
method uses regional or national
average emissions factors, while
the market-based method ap-
plies provider- or product-
specific emissions factors based
on contractual instruments.
Global commercial paper
program Commercial paper (CP)
issued under Bayer’s program is
a short-term, unsecured debt
instrument normally issued at a
discount and redeemed at nomi-
nal value. It is a flexible way of
obtaining short-term funding on
the capital market. Bayer’s com-
mercial paper program allows the
company to issue commercial
paper on both the U.S. and
European markets.
GxP is a collective term for all
guidelines that govern “good
working practice” and are partic-
ularly relevant for the fields of
medicine, pharmacy and phar-
maceutical chemistry. The “G”
stands for “Good” and the “P” for
“Practice,” while the “x” in the
middle is replaced by the respec-
tive abbreviation for the specific
area of application – such as
Good Manufacturing Practice
(GMP), Good Laboratory Practice
(GLP), Good Clinical Practice
(GCP) or Good Agricultural Prac-
tice (GAP). These guidelines are
established by institutions such
as the European Medicines
Agency or the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration.
Access to Medicine (ATM)
describes activities to promote
general access to essential
medicines and improve
knowledge on health.
B
Biocides are substances and
products that control pests such
as insects, mice and rats, as well
as algae, fungi and bacteria.
Breakthrough innovation is a
term used to describe disruptive
innovations in the form of pio-
neering advances in technology
and business models with the
power to change markets.
C
CDP is a nonprofit organization
that works on behalf of institu-
tional investors to compile annual
rankings of detailed environmen-
tal data, especially in respect of
greenhouse gas emissions (CDP-
Climate) and water management
(CDP-Water), from over 2,400
companies worldwide. According
to CDP, more than 650 investors
representing fund assets of
around US$87 trillion currently
draw on this information for their
investment decisions.
Consumer-validated concepts
are concepts that are assessed
in terms of their potential for
success through consumer
surveys conducted as part of
market research activities.
(Corporate) compliance
comprises the observance of
statutory and company regula-
tions on lawful and responsible
conduct.
Corruption Perceptions Index
(CPI) Since 1995, NGO Trans-
parency International has pro-
duced an annual index of coun-
tries by the perceived level of
public-sector corruption. The CPI
ranks countries according to the
extent to which public servants
and politicians are believed to
engage in bribery and to grant or
accept undue advantage.
E
Environmentally relevant sites
are Bayer locations with annual
net energy consumption of over
1.5 terajoules.
HSEQ stands for health, safety,
environment and quality.
I
ILO core labor standards
The eight core labor standards
of the ILO (International Labour
Organization) that define the
minimum requirements for hu-
mane working conditions are
internationally recognized “quali-
tative social standards.” They
represent universal human rights
that are deemed valid in all
countries regardless of their
economic development status.
L
Local procurement at Bayer
means that goods and services
are ordered from suppliers that
are based in the same country as
the (Bayer) company that re-
ceives them.
N
Neonicotinoids are a chemical
class of systemic insecticides.
O
OTC (over-the-counter) desig-
nates the business with nonpre-
scription medicines.
P
Pharmacovigilance is defined
as activities and the science they
are based on that relate to the
identification, assessment, com-
prehension and prevention of
side effects or other problems
associated with pharmaceutical
products.
Phase I-IV studies are clinical
phases in the development of a
drug product. The active ingredi-
ent candidate is generally tested
in healthy subjects in Phase I,
and in patients in Phases II and
III. The studies test the therapeu-
tic tolerability and efficacy of
active ingredients in a specific
indication. Phase IV studies are
conducted following the approval
of a new drug product to monitor
its safety and efficacy over an
extended period of time. The
studies are subject to strict legal
requirements and documentation
procedures.
Bayer Annual Report 2018
Financial Calendar / Masthead
275
Financial Calendar
Q1 2019 Interim Report
1
Annual Stockholders’ Meeting 2019
Planned dividend payment day
Half-Year Report 2019
Q3 2019 Interim Report
1
Annual Report 2019
Q1 2020 Interim Report
1
Annual Stockholders’ Meeting 2020
Masthead
April 25, 2019
April 26, 2019
May 2, 2019
July 30, 2019
October 30, 2019
February 27, 2020
April 27, 2020
April 28, 2020
Publisher
Bayer AG, 51368 Leverkusen, Germany
Date of publication
Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Editor
Jörg Schäfer, Tel. +49 214 30 39136
Email: joerg.schaefer@bayer.com
Investor Relations
Peter Dahlhoff, Tel. +49 214 30 33022
Email: peter.dahlhoff@bayer.com
Sustainability & Business Stewardship
Dagmar Jost, Tel. +49 214 30 75284
Email: dagmar.jost@bayer.com
English edition
Bayer Business Services GmbH
Translation Services
ISSN 0343 / 1975
Combined management report and consolidated financial statements produced in-house with firesys.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer 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.
Legal Notice
The product names designated with ™ are brands of the Bayer Group or our distribution partners and are registered trademarks
in many countries.
1 In 2019, Bayer will for the first time publish quarterly statements pursuant to Section 53 of the Exchange Rules for the Frankfurter
Wertpapierbörse (FWB) for the first and third quarters.