04.02.2014

The specialty chemicals group ALTANA has acquired technologies and customer-specific know-how in the field of polypropylene wax emulsions from Royal DSM. The products can be used to coat glass fibers which are needed for the manufacturing of composites. They are typically used in the construction industry and the automotive sector. "This acquisition is another consistent step along our path of growth," said Dr. Matthias L. Wolfgruber, CEO of ALTANA AG. Within the ALTANA group, the polypropylene wax emulsion business will be integrated into BYK Additives & Instruments, the division with the highest sales volume.

"This acquisition expands our existing portfolio in the field of wax emulsions, and now enables us to offer customers an even broader range of additive solutions," explained Dr. Christoph Schlünken, President of the BYK Division. Just recently, in October 2013, BYK also acquired Rockwood's rheology business.

About ALTANA:
ALTANA develops and produces high-quality, innovative products in the specialty chemicals business. The ALTANA Group, with headquarters in Wesel/Germany, is a genuine "global player" with about 85% of its sales generated by international activities. The ALTANA Group has four divisions: BYK Additives & Instruments, ECKART Effect Pigments, ELANTAS Electrical Insulation, and ACTEGA Coatings & Sealants. All of these divisions occupy a leading position in their target markets with respect to quality, product solution expertise, innovation and service.

ALTANA offers innovative, environmentally compatible solutions with the matching specialty products for coating manufacturers, paint and plastics processors, the printing and cosmetic industries, and the electrical and electronics industry. The product range includes additives, special coatings and adhesives, effect pigments, sealants and compounds, impregnating resins and varnishes, and testing and measuring instruments. At present, the ALTANA Group has 46 production facilities and more than 50 service and research laboratories worldwide. Throughout the Group about 5,700 people work to ensure the success of ALTANA worldwide. In 2012, ALTANA achieved sales of more than 1.7 billion euros. Its impressive earning power and high growth rate make ALTANA one of the most successful and innovative chemical groups worldwide.

www.altana.com

About BYK Additives & Instruments:
BYK Additives & Instruments is one of the world's leading suppliers in the additives and measuring instruments sector. Approximately 87% of sales are generated by foreign countries. The major export markets are Europe, the United States, and the Far East.

Additives are chemical substances which, even in small quantities, improve product properties such as scratch resistance or surface gloss. Manufacturing processes are also optimized through the use of additives. The coatings, printing inks, and plastics industries are some of the main areas of application for BYK additives. And BYK additives also serve to improve product properties and production processes in paper surface finishing, or the production of adhesives and sealants, and in construction chemistry. In 2009, BYK extended its portfolio to include raw materials for the production of mold release agents for aluminum die casting. BYK testing and measuring instruments can quantify the quality of color and gloss, and the physical properties of paint, plastic and paper products. Instruments from BYK are predominantly used for quality control.

BYK Additives & Instruments employs around 1,800 people worldwide, 25% of whom work in research and development departments or technical laboratories.

www.byk.com

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