ALTANA more than doubles production capacity for BYK additives in the U.S.
-- Expansion of Wallingford, Connecticut facility emphasizes commitment to local customers and North American business
-- Investment is single largest made by ALTANA outside of Germany
-- Globally harmonized manufacturing increases worldwide supply chain security
WALLINGFORD, Conn. and WESEL, Germany, June 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The specialty chemicals group ALTANA announced today the grand opening of its BYK USA Inc. expanded facility in Wallingford, Connecticut. With this state of the art plant, BYK more than doubles production capacity in the U.S. and increases worldwide supply chain security for its additives.
The expansion project represents a $50 Million investment from ALTANA, the largest single investment the Group has made outside of Germany. "Today marks a very important moment in ALTANA's growth strategy," said Dr. Matthias L. Wolfgruber, CEO, ALTANA AG. "With this expanded facility we will accelerate our growth in North America."
Currently, ALTANA operates eight subsidiaries, 18 production facilities and 19 laboratories in the U.S. With more than 1,000 employees here, the company generated sales of around € 290 million, or 16 percent of its entire global business in 2013.
"This expansion enables us to efficiently service our U.S. customers with an enhanced portfolio of BYK additives manufactured in a facility built to the highest standards of safety," said Dirk Plas, President, BYK USA Inc. "We are fully committed to investing in our customers' future and to growing our 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 more than 5,700 people work to ensure the success of ALTANA worldwide. In 2013, ALTANA achieved sales of more than 1.8 billion euros. Its impressive earning power and high growth rate make ALTANA one of the most successful and innovative chemical groups worldwide.
About BYK Additives & Instruments:
BYK Additives & Instruments is one of the world's leading suppliers in the field of additives and measuring instruments.
Additives are chemical substances which, when used in small quantities, improve product properties such as scratch resistance or surface gloss. Manufacturing processes are also optimized by the addition of additives.
The coatings, inks and plastics industries are predominant consumers of BYK additives. The product characteristics and production processes of oil exploration technology, care products, paper surface finishing, adhesives and sealants, and construction chemistry also benefit from BYK additives.
Testing and measuring instruments from BYK can effectively evaluate the quality of color, gloss and appearance as well as the physical properties of paint, plastic and paper products and are an important part of quality control.
As a globally operating specialty chemicals company, BYK has production sites in Wesel, Kempen, Moosburg and Schkopau (Germany), Deventer and Denekamp (Netherlands), Widnes (UK), Wallingford, Gonzales, Louisville (USA) and Tongling (China).
BYK's instrument section (BYK-Gardner) is based in the Upper Bavarian town of Geretsried.
Today the company employs around 1,800 people worldwide and forms part of the ALTANA Group.
This press release is also available on www.altana.com/press
SOURCE ALTANA
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