ple, the flow behavior of coatings and plastics. The divi-
sion 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 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 sells 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 problem-solving
expertise, BYK has also attained an important market position
in many other industrial application fields in recent years.
The division markets its products in the important
regions via its own companies and branches. In addition, a
dense network of dealers and agents markets its products
worldwide. 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 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
48 Group Basics