Group Management Report Products Safety and Health Environment Human Resources Social Commitment Consolidated Financial Statements 65
structures in the area of sales and market penetration to optimize
the placement of the product portfolio with our customers,
enabling us to achieve synergies. Furthermore, we
were able to transfer numerous customer projects to the
application test phase, and consequently commercialization
can take place in the coming year. We developed a versa-
tile product portfolio for 3D printing via the Cubic Inks technology
platform. In close cooperation with dp polar GmbH,
in which ALTANA holds a share, this ink portfolio is used in
development partnerships with customers to deliver efficient
and sustainable solutions through innovative polar printing
technology. The laser transfer technology platform
Heliosonic also managed to expand its pigment portfolio and
thus increasingly enter into strategic development partnerships
beyond the graphic arts industry. In 2020, for example,
the first feasibility studies were carried out in the security
printing and electronics sectors. On the basis of this development
work with customers, a new prototype printing
press was designed, which is scheduled to go into operation
in 2021.
Thanks to the close cooperation between the central
departments Corporate Innovation and Corporate Venturing,
ALTANA can continuously examine technology and market
potential and enter new attractive markets by means of targeted
investments in innovative technology companies.
In this context, ALTANA acquired a stake in the company
TAU ACT GmbH, Berlin, in the 2020 fiscal year.
Research and development expenses (in € million )
The basis for our innovative strength is an open and dynamic
corporate culture that gives the 1,218 employees in our
worldwide research and development centers freedom for
creative and entrepreneurial action. The equipment in our
development centers enables our employees to turn their ideas
into market-ready solutions. Although 2020 was characterized
by pandemic-related uncertainties, our research and
development expenses in the area of innovation decreased
only slightly compared to the previous year, amounting to
€ 163.4 million in the year under review (previous year:
€ 165.6 million). The slight increase in research and development
expenses to 7.5 % of sales (previous year: 7.4 %) is
attributable in part to the overall decline in sales. But it is also
linked to the achievement of important milestones and
the implementation
of individual customer requirements in
future innovative products, and supports the long-term
orientation of our innovation activities.
Employees
At the end of 2020, the companies of the ALTANA Group
employed 6,529 people worldwide (previous year: 6,476).
The slight increase of 53 people, or 1 %, compared to the
prior year is solely due to acquisitions, especially in the
ACTEGA division (+ 68 employees).
In the BYK division, the number of employees fell slightly
by 40 to 2,307 (previous year: 2,347). The workforce mainly
2016 129.3
2017 142.5
2018 154.1
2019 165.6
2020 163.4