Industry News
binders effective Sept. 30, 2008. The Munich-based
chemical group recently announced this decision citing
limited expectations for polyvinyl butyral growth in
industrial applications such as coatings, paint and printing ink and increased raw material and energy costs.
To allocate supplies of Pioloform in the coming months,
the company is working with clients to coordinate delivery
schedules and define terms. These negotiations include
prince increases. Wacker Polymers will raise prices for
Pioloform by up to 15% in Europe and up to 25% overseas,
as well as for shipments invoiced in U.S. dollars.
Approximately 10 people are employed in this sector.
They will be offered jobs in other parts of the company.
Q-LAB OPENS SECOND SITE IN EUROPE
Q-Lab Corp. has announced the opening of the new Q-Lab Deutschland GmbH Weathering Technology Centre.
The facility, located near Düsseldorf, Germany, provides
customers technical support, education, training and
sales support. The new facility will support German
industry with educational programs, seminars, cooperative research programs and calibration and repair services. It will also feature a contract testing laboratory
that will provide accelerated weathering and light stability exposure services.
ALTANA ACQUIRES EFFECT PIGMENT BUSINESS OF USBP
Altana has signed a contract to acquire the effect pigment business of 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
manufacturer of metallic and pearlescent pigments.
The acquired business mainly comprises the production of copper pigments, bronze pigments, 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 each of Asia and
Europe. 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.
“United States Bronze Powders is a company with a
long tradition. The acquired product range is a perfect fit
for Altana and will help to create value”, commented Dr.
Matthias L. Wolfgruber, CEO of Altana AG. “The acquisition underlines our growth ambitions, which are sup-
