46 Group Basics
during the manufacture of coatings and paints as well as
in end customers’ applications. Surface additives are used to
produce special properties such as shiny, matte or espe-
cially smooth surfaces. Rheology additives improve, for example,
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 primarily under the brands
BYK (additives) and BYK-Gardner (instruments). Due to its
comprehensive portfolio, BYK is a system supplier and partner
of coatings manufacturers and plastics processors in partic-
ular. 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
Business divisions and areas of application
Paint additives Coatings Wire enamels Flexible Packaging
Plastics additives Graphic arts Electrical Metal Packaging Solutions
Industrial applications Cosmetics and personal care Electronic Paper & Board
Exploration Plastics industry Engineering materials
Measuring and testing instruments Functional applications