ALTANA takes over Business of Office Color Science Company, enters “Software as a Service” Domain

The specialty chemicals group ALTANA takes over the international business of Office Color Science Co., Ltd. headquartered in Yokohama, Japan. Within the ALTANA Group, the business will be integrated into the Instruments business line of the BYK division (BYK-Gardner), and marketed as BYK-Gardner V/R Solutions. Office Color Science will continue to concentrate on its business in Japan and some key customers in Europe.

Office Color Science (OCS) was founded in 2004 in Japan by Masayuki Osumi. The company is a worldwide leader in computer color matching and formulation software with the ability to match colors containing metallic and pearlescent pigments. OCS also offers specialized technology for computer graphics with 3D color simulation for realistic display of colors containing effect pigments. BYK-Gardner is a worldwide leader in the design and production of color spectrophotometers using the respective software.

“With the acquisition, we can now also offer our customers in the paints, coatings, automotive and related industries the refinish color matching and formulation software and, as a result, provide truly complete solutions in computer color matching and instrumentation”, said BYK-Gardner CEO Frank Wagner. “I am confident we can capitalize on the combined strengths of the two companies and develop even more innovative products for our customers in this exciting field of digitalization.”

BYK-Gardner launched for example the first WiFi-capable multiangle spectrophotometer. It enables automotive paint shops to determine the perfect color formulation within seconds.

“I’m confident that this is the best avenue for our customers to take OCS and BYK-Gardner to the next level of growth”, said Masayuki Osumi, President and CEO of Office Color Science Co., Ltd.

Terms of the sale were not disclosed.

BYK is one of the world’s leading suppliers in the field of additives and measuring instruments. Additives are chemical substances which, when used in small quantities, improve product properties such as scratch resistance or surface gloss. Manufacturing processes are also optimized by the addition of additives.

The coatings, inks, and plastics industries are among the main consumers of BYK additives. Yet with the production of oil and gas, the manufacture of care products, the production of adhesives and sealants, and construction chemistry, too, BYK additives improve the product characteristics and production processes. Testing and measuring instruments from BYK can effectively evaluate the quality of color, gloss, and appearance as well as the physical properties of paint, plastic, and paper products and are an important part of quality control.

As a globally operating specialty chemicals company, BYK has production sites in Germany (Wesel, Kempen, Moosburg, Schkopau and Geretsried), in the Netherlands (Deventer, Njiverdal and Denekamp), in Great Britain (Widnes), in the US (Wallingford, Chester, Gonzales, Louisville, Earth City and Pompano Beach) and in China (Tongling).

Today the company employs more than 2,300 people worldwide and forms part of the ALTANA Group.

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, special 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 60 service and research laboratories worldwide. Throughout the Group more than 6,400 people work to ensure the worldwide success of ALTANA. In 2018, ALTANA achieved sales of €2.3 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.