Following a transition phase, Evonik is expected to produce the catalysts in Hanau (Germany). The Amperkat brand comprises activated metal catalysts-known as skeletal catalysts and customised supported catalysts.
The Amperkat business focuses principally on activated nickel catalysts, which are used in the pharmaceuticals and food industries and in fine and industrial chemicals, for example, for producing selective pharmaceutical active substances, sweeteners, and starting materials for polyurethanes for the building materials and automotive sectors.
Evonik said that the acquisition of Amperkat catalysts complements Evonik’s present range of products and customised solutions.
Wilfried Eul, head of catalysts business line at Evonik, said: “Catalysts are not off-the-rack products; they need to be specially tailored to every individual synthesis reaction. The HC Starck technologies give us additional tools to produce the optimal catalyst for each reaction.
“The newly acquired business also makes it possible for Evonik to manufacture activated metal catalysts based on spray alloys and in tablet form, two highly specialised processes that offer additional freedom when designing high-performance catalysts. That strengthens our position as a fully integrated supplier of systems solutions for catalysis.”