SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- The mayor of South Charleston tells WSAZ.com Bayer Material Science is closing its technical center in South Charleston and moving the operation to Pittsburgh.

Frank Mullens says thirty jobs will be affected.

The company made the announcement to employees Thursday morning.

A spokesperson with Bayer tells WSAZ.com the move will happen by June 30, 2013. Mullens says these are PhD and research jobs.

Mullens was told by the company this was a financial situation and part of the company's downsizing efforts.

Mullens says this will not affect the work at the plant in South Charleston.

Statement from Bryan Iams, Head of External Communications at
Bayer Material Science
Bayer MaterialScience LLC will move the technical center that supports its polyether and flexible foam businesses from South Charleston, West Virginia to Pittsburgh.

The move, which is expected to take 12-18 months to complete, is being undertaken to reduce complexity in the structure of Bayer’s polyurethanes business and to realize synergies from consolidating the work with existing R&D facilities on the Pittsburgh campus.

About 30 employees will be affected.

The technical center supports the manufacturing effort through process development and customers through process and applications development.

Bayer’s polyurethanes business produces raw materials for polyurethane foam used in the construction, automotive, appliance, furniture and other industries.

The move will not affect the company’s ongoing efforts to attract an ethane cracker to its sites in West Virginia.