"Bayer's lawsuit troubles bring chemical group closer to drastic decision

Chemical group Bayer has been facing a particularly difficult situation in the US over the past few years, with tens of thousands of cases in which plaintiffs are seeking huge sums of money.

Concern has already spent around €10 billion on litigation. The company has spent USD 10 billion settling disputes with plaintiffs who believe that glyphosate-based Roundup causes cancer. Some 67,000 cases are pending. The Group has accumulated almost €6 billion in litigation.

As of 31 January this year, „Bayer“ had settled around 114,000 cases out of around 181 000. Most of the cases were won by „Bayer“, but some of them ended in a settlement agreement and the Group paid compensation to the plaintiffs.

The Wall Street Journal, citing its own sources, reports that Bayer is considering declaring bankruptcy in order to recover from even greater losses.  

„Monsanto“ developed glyphosate and was bought by „Bayer“ in 2018 for around €63 billion. In 2016, Bayer & Bayer bought a total of USD 63 billion in a deal that was worth more than USD 63 billion. According to the media, „Bayer“ plans to settle some of the class action lawsuits against „Roundup“ in Missouri court. Most of the lawsuits are pending there.

„Monsanto“ bankruptcy would mean that all lawsuits would be stayed.