Press Archive

Here you will find the press releases for ALTANA and our subsidiary companies for the years from 2002 until today.

Press releases from the ALTANA Holding until 2006 you will find here.

December 29, 2004: ALTANA helps flood victims in South Asia

ALTANA AG, Bad Homburg, and its operating divisions ALTANA Pharma AG, Constance, and ALTANA Chemie AG, Wesel, donate € 750,000 to the flood victims in South Asia.
December 17, 2004: Price Increase

With effect from February 1, 2005, BYK-Chemie will increase prices for all paint and plastics additives worldwide by 6%. For mineral oil defoamers the price increase will be 3.5% and for viscosity reducers 8%.
December 16, 2004: Brazilian Opening Ceremony

On November 23, 2004 the 8th BYK-Chemie application laboratory was officially inaugurated.
November 19, 2004: New Thickness Measuring Instrument byko-test MP0R

BYK-Gardner introduces a new member of the family of thickness measuring instruments
November 09, 2004: ALTANA Electrical Insulation Increases Prices

ALTANA Electrical Insulation and its subsidiaries are raising the prices for Wire Enamels, Impregnating Resins and Compounds worldwide by at least 10%.
November 04, 2004: ALTANA: Markedly positive business performance

Strong third quarter; new record year in sight
November 01, 2004: ALTANA Chemie Opens Fourth Production Site in China

ALTANA Electrical Insulation, a business unit of ALTANA Chemie AG, Wesel, has commenced operation of a super modern production plant in Zhuhai after a year and a half of construction.
October 26, 2004: Color and Gloss Measurement Combined in one Instrument

BYK-Gardner introduces the new spectro-guide, its new instrument that combines color and gloss measurement in one unit – highly repeatable even on textured surfaces.
October 25, 2004: The P.D. George Company was chosen as Terry Bradshaw’s Pick of the Week on CNBC

Terry Bradshaw’s Pick of the Week is a television show that is broadcast weekly on the CNBC cable network. The series of short stories highlights successful companies in America and how they have succeeded despite extraordinary economic conditions.
October 01, 2004: K 2004: Highlights from BYK-Chemie

In line with the slogan of K 2004 (Vision - Innovation -Business), BYK-Chemie will be presenting its latest product developments from 20 to 27 October at the Messe Düsseldorf.
September 28, 2004: ALTANA Coatings & Sealants begins production of sealants in South America

To strengthen its presence in South America, La Artistica, sealants manufacturer and subsidiary of the ALTANA Coatings & Sealants business unit, recently concluded a strategic licensing agreement with Uruguayan company Promak.
September 27, 2004: AQUACER® 526 - Wax Emulsion for the Orientation of Effect Pigments in Water-Based Paint Systems

BYK-Chemie introduces AQUACER® 526, the first wax emulsion for effect pigment orientation in water-based systems.
September 23, 2004: Dr. Matthias Wolfgruber´s term of office extended

The Supervisory Board of ALTANA AG today extended Dr. Matthias Wolfgruber’s term of office as Member of the Management Board of ALTANA AG and overall management of the Chemicals division by a further five years.
September 23, 2004: 100 Years of Beck – Anniversary with Special Conference

At the end of September, Beck Electrical Insulation – one of the more recent members of ALTANA Chemie – will be celebrating its 100th birthday.
September 17, 2004: BYK-Chemie has new agent for Germany

Since September 1, 2004, KRAHN Chemie GmbH of Hamburg has been the official agent for BYK-Chemie, Wesel.
September 02, 2004: BYK-Chemie enters thermoplastics market

BYK-Chemie presents high-performance wetting and dispersing additives for color masterbatches.
August 27, 2004: BYK-Chemie and ACMOS Chemie: Partners in release agents

BYK-Chemie GmbH, Wesel will be collaborating more closely with Acmos Chemie KG, Bremen, in future in order to develop innovative solutions in the area of release agents.
August 19, 2004: BYK-Chemie Involved in European Research Project

Under the umbrella of the European Commission’s “Competitive and Sustainable Growth Programme”, BYK-Chemie is involved in a research project in the area of automotive coatings.
August 12, 2004: La Artistica develops coating solutions for converting from solvent-based to water-based sealants

La Artistica has repositioned itself as a supplier of innovative coating and sealing solutions
August 03, 2004: ALTANA sustains and improves on positive business trend over the first half-year

Strong second quarter First-half sales growth: +9%, consolidated profit +7%
August 03, 2004: ALTANA Chemie sold and transferred its shareholding in Salchi Rhenacoat

Wesel, August 3, 2004 – ALTANA Coatings & Sealants, a business unit of ALTANA Chemie AG, Wesel, has sold and transferred its 51 % shareholding in Salchi Rhenacoat s.r.l., Milan, ltaly, to its 49% joint-venture partner, a private family holding.
July 28, 2004: Nano Additives from BYK-Chemie: First Application in the Field of PVC Floor Covering

On the occasion of the K 2004 to be held in Düsseldorf from October 20 – 27, 2004 BYK-Chemie presents two products for plastics based on nanotechnology.
July 22, 2004: Ulrike Flach, Member of the German Bundestag visits BYK-Chemie Wesel

Ulrike Flach today visited BYK-Chemie, Wesel, a company of ALTANA Chemie AG.
July 12, 2004: ALTANA Chemie sells Rhenacoat’s coil coating business to Akzo Nobel

Concentration on growth market in packaging coatings
July 02, 2004: BYK-Chemie sells French marketing company to IMCD

Consolidation of strong position in France through joint marketing venture
June 25, 2004: First Nano Additives of BYK-Chemie

On the occasion of the Asia Pacific Coatings Show held in Bangkok from June 3 – 4, 2004 BYK-Chemie introduced the first two products based on Nanotechnology to the market.
June 23, 2004: BYK-Chemie is the ''Best Additive Supplier in Brazil''

BYK-Chemie GmbH, a company of ALTANA Chemie AG, Wesel, has once again won the award of ''Best Additive Supplier in Brazil''.
June 14, 2004: ALTANA Electrical Insulation announces general price increase

ALTANA Electrical Insulation (AEI), a business unit of ALTANA Chemie AG, is announcing price increases for its wire enamel and secondary insulation product lines of 5 to 7% starting July 1 or as contracts allow.
May 05, 2004: Term of office extended

Bad Homburg, May 5, 2004 - The Supervisory Board of ALTANA AG (NYSE: AAA, FSE: ALT) today extended Dr. Nikolaus Schweickart’s period of office as Chairman of the Management Board by a further two years until the Annual General Meeting in 2007.
May 05, 2004: Annual General Meeting 2004: ALTANA reports on a successful business year in 2003 and promising prospects for the future

Dividend increases by 11% to €0.83
May 03, 2004: www.altanachemie.com - The new website of ALTANA Chemie

Since May 1 ALTANA Chemie AG has been present on the Internet with its new-look website. At www.altanachemie.com the specialty chemicals company has acquired an even more user- and customer-friendly appearance on the World Wide Web.
April 29, 2004: ALTANA starts year of strategic investments according to plan

First European approval for Alvesco® and submission of Daxas® create basis for broader product portfolio Bad Homburg/Wesel, April 29, 2004 - ALTANA AG (NYSE: AAA, FSE: ALT) increased consolidated sales by 5% to € 712 million (2003: € 678 million) in the first three months of ...
April 02, 2004: BYK-Chemie to build new distribution center in Wesel

BYK-Chemie to build new distribution center in Wesel, underlining its long and successful relationship with the Wesel Site Wesel, April 2, 2004 - BYK-Chemie GmbH, a company of ALTANA Chemie AG, Wesel, has just announced its plan to build a new distribution center in the "Lippe estuary ...
March 31, 2004: ALTANA Electrical Insulation Streamlines Organization in Germany with
a New Site Concept

Wesel, March 31, 2004 - ALTANA Electrical Insulation (AEI), a business unit of ALTANA Chemie AG, Wesel, will wind up the business activities of Rhenatech GmbH Elektroisoliersysteme, Kempen with effect from 30/09/2004 as part of its strategic focusing and the ongoing integration of the Schenec ...
March 18, 2004: ALTANA closes 2003 with new record figures

Return on sales in excess of 21%
Dividend up by 11% - the eighth increase in succession
Bad Homburg, Germany, March 18, 2004 - ALTANA AG (NYSE: AAA, FSE: ALT) reported another successful business year 2003. "Over the past year we have remained on course for further growth, de ...
February 20, 2004: ALTANA Electrical Insulation Sells its Insulating Sleevings and Covers Business

Wesel, February 20, 2004 - ALTANA Electrical Insulation (AEI) has signed a deal with Relats, S.A., Spain to sell the electrical insulating sleevings and covers business, currently marketed through Rhenatech Elektroisoliersysteme GmbH.
February 04, 2004: ALTANA Electrical Insulation Uses Synergy Potential

Wesel, February 04, 2004 - As part of its continuing policy of strategic alignment, ALTANA Electrical Insulation (AEI), a business unit of ALTANA Chemie AG, Wesel, is concentrating on realizing synergy potentials and on improving the structures within the business unit. The focus here is on s ...
January 27, 2004: ALTANA 2003: New record year; the eighth in succession

Profits climb by 10% and sales by 5% despite weak dollar; another dividend increase targeted
(Note: All figures mentioned in this press release are provisional and unaudited)
January 07, 2004: ALTANA Chemie Acquires Electrical Insulation Business of Ranbar

Bad Homburg/ Wesel, Germany, January 7, 2004 - ALTANA Chemie AG, the specialty chemicals business of ALTANA AG (NYSE: AAA; FSE: ALT), has acquired today through its US subsidiary P.D. George the electrical insulation business of Ranbar Electrical Materials Inc., USA. The acquired activities c ...
January 05, 2004: Dr. Susan W. Graham named President & CEO

ALTANA Chemie is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Susan W. Graham to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of The P.D. George Company.