ALTANA recently announced that it has acquired Henkel's closure materials business. As a result, the specialty chemicals group reports that it is strengthening its range of PVC-free solutions for the packaging industry. Within the ALTANA Group, the business will be integrated into the ACTEGA division and globally assigned to the Metal Packaging Solutions business line. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.

"With the acquisition of Henkel's closure materials business, we are continuing to systematically implement our acquisition strategy and our focus on innovative specialty chemicals," said Martin Babilas, CEO of ALTANA AG.

The acquisition essentially involves the takeover of technologies and customer relationships. "We are thus further expanding our business with sealants for the packaging industry," said Thorsten Kröller, head of ALTANA's ACTEGA division. "The transaction is an ideal addition to our existing product portfolio. With it, we will be able to supply our longstanding and new customers with innovative solutions even better and more flexibly in the future."

Sealing compounds are used in a wide variety of packaging, such as for food and beverages to protect the contents from external influences and help to ensure that they have a longer shelf life. The brands acquired by Henkel include CELOX^® and SINCERA^®. The closure materials prevent oxygen ingress after beer bottles have been filled, for example, and help to ensure that mineral water closures are especially tight yet easier to open.

Learn about the ALTANA Group at www.altana.com. For more information about the ACTEGA division within the ALTANA Group, visit www.actega.com. To learn more about Henkel, visit www.henkel.com.