the flow behavior of coatings and plastics. The division also
manufactures measuring and testing instruments that are
used to determine surface properties, color shades, and optical
effects.
BYK-Chemie GmbH, based in Wesel, is the management
company of the division. In addition, it is the division’s
biggest production and development site for additives and
the ALTANA Group company with the highest sales.
BYK also produces at other sites in Germany, the Neth-
erlands, Great Britain, as well as in China and the U.S. All
of the measuring and testing instruments are manufactured
at a site in southern Germany (Geretsried).
The division markets its products under the brands BYK
(additives) and BYK-Gardner (instruments), primarily to
customers in the coatings, printing inks, and plastics industries.
Due to its comprehensive portfolio, BYK is a system
supplier and partner of coatings manufacturers and plastics
processors in particular. On the basis of its great prob-
lem-solving expertise, BYK has also attained an important
market position in many other industrial application fields in
recent years.
The division sells its products in the important regions
via its own companies and branches. In addition, a dense
network of dealers and agents markets its products world-
wide. BYK generates the highest share of its sales in Europe,
followed by Asia and the Americas. In terms of countries, the
U.S. make the largest contribution to sales, followed by
China and Germany.
BYK is among the most innovative suppliers in its mar-
kets. It continually expands and supplements its product
portfolio. To gear its innovation activities closely to the needs
of the markets, the division has its own network of devel-
opment laboratories, which cooperate closely with custom-
ers in the respective regions. At the same time, new fields
of application are continually tapped for existing or new prod-
ucts.
Business divisions and product portfolio
Paint additives Coatings Wire enamels Closures
Plastics additives Graphic arts Electrical Flexible packaging
Industrial applications Cosmetics and personal care Electronic Labels
Exploration technology oil / gas Plastics industry Engineering materials Paper-based packaging
Measuring and testing instruments Functional applications Publication and commercial
Rigid packaging
Specialty consumer goods
46 Group Basics