German chemical producer Evonik (Essen; www.evonik.com) has acquired the “Silbyk” polyurethane foam stabilisers business of BYK-Chemie (Wesel / Germany; www. www.byk.com), a subsidiary of speciality chemicals producer Altana (Wesel; www.altana.com). The business, which will be integrated into Evonik Goldschmidt, had sales of around EUR 5m in 2009.

The deal, terms of which were not disclosed, includes BYK’s existing business contacts and manufacturing expertise, but not its production sites. All employees will transfer to the Essen chemical group, but will continue to be assigned to the plant in Wesel.

Evonik is already a key producer of PU foam stabilisers. Its portfolio also extends to metal and amine catalysts, release agents, colorants, antioxidants, antistatic agents and other performance additives.