By Sun Xiaohua (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-10-16 10:00

Bayer, one of the world's biggest chemical and pharmaceutical companies based in Germany, has announced it will finance a chair in sustainable development at Tongji University.

The chair is a joint project with Tongji University and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). Bayer will support the new chair, student scholarships and research activities for an initial period of five years with a sponsorship of $1 million.

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The Bayer-Tongji Chair for Sustainable Development will focus on advanced education and research into emerging environmental technologies. Moreover, it aims to actively support sustainable development projects that enhance China's solutions to environmental, economic and social sustainability challenges.

Wolfgang Plischke, member of the Bayer management board, said: "The path China takes to achieving sustainable growth and protecting its environment will have far-reaching effects. We know the government is committed to meeting the challenges, and Bayer is here to help."

Zhao Jianfu, vice-president of Tongji University, added: "The university considers environmental protection and sustainable development one of its top priorities. We are delighted to be working closely with Bayer, a company known worldwide for its outstanding achievements in the area of sustainability."

China plans to cut energy consumption by 20 percent and emissions by 10 percent from 2006 to 2010. To meet this goal, it needs help from developed countries for funding and technologies.

Bayer already provides new technologies and specialized services for China in wastewater treatment, environmental protection and conversion of biological energy sources, said Plischke.

Bayer has installed polyurethane insulation panels at the Wenyuan Building in Tongji University, which ensure comfortable temperatures all year round without air-conditioning.

It is also providing hi-tech materials for several of the sports stadiums under construction for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, making them strong, beautiful and environmentally friendly.

"As an inventor company, we consider support for education, research and science to be particularly important," Plischke said.

"With the Bayer Chair in Sustainable Development, we want to contribute to the establishment of sustainable development as an instrument for long-term social development in China."