Innovations

Close cooperation with customers, suppliers, universities, research insti-tutes and consultants guarantees us access to the latest technologies, which we put into practice in cooperation with leading users. In 2006 ALTANA made a total of 28 patent applications and launched 127 new products onto the market.

Our innovation projects lead to market-oriented products faster and more often because we are so closely in touch with our markets and customers, and because of our increasing investments and expenditure on research and development, an innovation-friendly culture, well-qualified and highly skilled work teams and high-quality R&D equipment. Around 15% of all ALTANA employees worldwide work in research & development. In 2006 alone, the number of people employed in this area rose by 14%.

• Investment in R&D currently lies at 5% of sales
• Short term target: R&D approx. 6% of sales
• Investment in R&D doubled within 10 years
• 15% of total workforce worldwide in R&D
• Focus on development
• Effective generation of marketable products
• Our way to avoid commoditization

The interface between the customer and the research scientist is provided by our 45 application and research laboratories. They are equipped so that we can offer our customers not only comprehensive technical local backup, but can also carry out tests under real-life conditions – a clear service benefit and one valued by our customers.