The specialty chemicals group ALTANA has signed a contract to acquire the effect pigment business of the American company United States Bronze Powders Inc. (USBP). In 2007, USBP achieved sales of approximately $8 million in this business area. USBP retains its powder business as well as its aluminum pigments business. Within the ALTANA Group, the acquired business will be integrated into the ECKART Effect Pigments division, a leading manufacturer of metallic and pearlescent pigments. The acquisition is subject to approval by antitrust authorities.

The acquired business mainly comprises the production of copper pigments, bronze pigments, and stainless steel pigments, as well as press-ready metallic printing inks. USBP generates about 60% of its sales of these pigments in the NAFTA region, and about 15% in Asia and Europe each. No manufacturing site and no employees are included under the agreement with USBP; the production for this business will be transferred to ECKART’s U.S. affiliate ECKART America in Painesville, OH, and to its main factory in the Bavarian town of Güntersthal in Germany.

For more information, visitwww.altana.com/press.