ior 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 big-
gest production and development site for additives and the
ALTANA Group company with the highest sales.
BYK also produces at other sites in Germany, the Netherlands,
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 indus-
tries. 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 problem-
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 net-
work 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. makes the largest contribution to sales, followed by
China and Germany.
BYK is among the most innovative suppliers in its
markets. 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
development laboratories, which cooperate closely with
customers in the respective regions. At the same time, new
fields of application are continually tapped for existing or
new products.
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