With about 340 employees at four production sites in the U.S., the UK and Germany the rheology business generated sales of USD 191 million 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 USD 635 million. The closing of the transaction is expected to take place in the fourth quarter of 2013.

With the acquisition Altana is expanding its existing additives portfolio. „The acquisition of Rockwood’s rheology business is fully in line with our focus on true specialty chemicals and opens up new growth opportunities,” CEO Dr. Matthias L. Wolfgruber said.

„The acquisition is associated with an attractive growth potential“, Dr. Christoph Schlünken, President Division BYK Additives & Instruments, said. „We will for example use the existing BYK structure to grow the acquired rheology business in Asia.“ Currently about 40% of Rockwood’s rheology sales are generated each in North America and Europe.