WESEL, Germany - The specialty chemicals Group ALTANA has signed a contract to acquire the effect pigment business of United States Bronze Powders Inc. (USBP). USBP will retain 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 and stainless steel pigments, as well as press-ready metallic printing inks. USBP generates about 60 percent of its sales of these pigments in the NAFTA region and about 15 percent in both 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.