US Bayer MaterialScience announced on Monday a partnership with Conforce to develop and produce composite polyurethane (PU) flooring and racking systems for marine containers. The EKO-FLOR composite PU products are designed to create a cost-effective and environmentally responsible alternative to tropical hardwood and other wood-based flooring, Bayer said. Financial terms of the partnership were not disclosed. The companies expect to complete customer evaluations from ocean-going trials during the 2009 third quarter. If those trials are successfully completed, they will begin to fill orders for the EKO-FLOR modules by the second quarter of 2010. The modules weigh about 18% less than similar plywood modules and are more resistant to maintenance problems such as rot, mildew and insect infestation, Bayer said.