Altana to expand its Eckart business following acquisition of TLS and AMT
September 14, 2020
Speciality chemicals group, Altana AG, headquartered in Wesel, Germany, reports that it is acquiring TLS Technik GmbH & Co. Spezialpulver KG, Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Germany, a leading manufacturer of metal powders for Additive Manufacturing, as well as Aluminium Materials Technologies Ltd. (AMT), Worcester, UK, developer of the patented special alloy A20X, in order to expand its Eckart division.
“By acquiring the TLS business, we are expanding our portfolio in 3D printing for industrial Additive Manufacturing and positioning ourselves in a technology market of the future,” stated Martin Babilas, CEO of Altana AG. “With this step, we are continuing to implement Altana’s strategy of generating value-creating growth through targeted acquisitions, even in difficult economic times.”
With twenty-five years of experience, TLS is regarded as a leading specialists in the production of high-quality metal powders for industrial Additive Manufacturing, explains Altana.
“TLS’ expertise in the production of metal powders and alloys for metallic 3D printing complements ECKART’s strengths as a specialist in the atomisation of metals,” notes Dr Wolfgang Schütt, head of Altana’s Eckart Division. “We are also strengthening ourselves in a targeted manner for functional applications.”
The transaction is expected to take place in the fourth quarter of 2020, when Eckart will take over the production facility in Bitterfeld and its forty or so employees.
AMT developed the A20X special alloy for Additive Manufacturing, which is said to enable the manufacturing of significantly lighter components with outstanding mechanical properties.
Dr Schütt added, “AMT and its A20X alloy complement TLS’ capabilities, enabling us to offer users even more high-performance materials in the future, including in the aerospace industry, a key market for metallic 3D printing.”
