Altana has signed a definite agreement to acquire the global rheology business of Rockwood Holdings Inc. The unit, currently part of Rockwood’s ‘Performance Additives’ segment, is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of rheology additives that optimise the flow characteristics of various materials. With about 340 employees at four production sites in the USA, the UK and Germany the rheology business generated sales of US$191M in 2012. After approval by the relevant antitrust authorities, Altana will integrate the business into its BYK Additives & Instruments division.
The purchase price amounts to US$635M. The closing of the transaction is expected to take place in Q4, 2013.
- Meanwhile, Altana has also acquired the speciality coatings business of Henkel. The products are sold under the brand names MiraFoil and Miracure and are mainly supplied to the packaging industry in North America. Sales of around US$15M were generated in 2012. The business will be integrated into Actega Kelstar Inc in the USA and into Actega Terra GmbH in Germany, both belonging to the Actega Coatings & Sealants division.
