According to preliminary figures, the Bayer Group generated sales of €8.3 billion in the first quarter of 2007, representing a 23% increase compared with €6,791 million in the prior-year period. Bayer MaterialScience contributed €2.6 billion to group sales.

As expected, earnings from the Bayer MaterialScience group were below the high level of the prior-year period, mainly in light of raw material cost increases totalling approximately €140 million.

Net debt was reduced in the first quarter by approximately €4.8 billion to €12.8 billion.