Wesel, June 12, 2020 - A research team from ALTANA’s ECKART division has won this year’s Innovation Award of the globally active specialty chemicals group. Carolin Brendel, Michael Grüner, Dr. Günter Kaupp, and Ralph Schneider prevailed against a total of twelve very strong rival teams from the whole ALTANA Group with a novel technology for the production of pearl effect pigments.
The new ECKART technology enables pearlescent pigments that not only offer excellent color intensity and maximum luster properties, but also extraordinary chemical resistance and efficient mechanical and UV stability. This results in technically and visually unique products from the ECKART Edelstein series that cover the entire color spectrum. The first Edelstein gold, orange, and red color types have already been commercially launched based on the technology, and a blue color type will be available shortly. The novel pearl effect pigments are used in numerous application areas and in various industries – for example in the cosmetics, coatings, and automotive industries.
“We congratulate Carolin Brendel, Michael Grüner, Dr. Günter Kaupp, and Ralph Schneider for their outstanding achievements and are pleased along with them about the development of the novel pearl effect pigment technology, which impressively demonstrates the great innovative strength of our employees and the ALTANA Group as a whole. It is particularly noteworthy that the innovations honored with the ALTANA Innovation Award are already successfully asserting themselves on the market,” said Dr. Petra Severit, Chief Technology Officer of ALTANA AG.
Together with the members of a jury consisting of representatives from all ALTANA divisions, Dr. Severit selected the ECKART research team and its technology as the winner. The evaluation was based on a list of criteria that primarily took into account innovation and creativity, economic efficiency, and sustainability.
The ALTANA Innovation Award, with which the specialty chemicals company honors outstanding research achievements on the part its employees, was presented for the eighth time.
About ALTANA:
ALTANA is a global leader in true specialty chemicals. The Group offers innovative, environmentally compatible solutions for coating manufacturers, paint and plastics processors, the printing and packaging industries, the cosmetics sector, and the electrical and electronics industry. The product range includes additives, specialty coatings and adhesives, effect pigments, sealants and compounds, impregnating resins and varnishes, and testing and measuring instruments. ALTANA’s four divisions, BYK, ECKART, ELANTAS, and ACTEGA, all occupy a leading position in their target markets with respect to quality, product solution expertise, innovation, and service.
Headquartered in Wesel, Germany, the ALTANA Group has 47 production facilities and more than 65 service and research laboratories worldwide. Throughout the Group about 6,500 people work to ensure the worldwide success of ALTANA. In 2019, ALTANA achieved sales of more than € 2.2 billion. About 7 percent of sales are invested in research and development every year. Its high earning power and high growth rate make ALTANA one of the most innovative, fastest growing, and profitable chemical companies in the world.