Press Releases

2010/03/01

H.C. Starck sells its AMPERKAT business to Evonik

Goslar, March 1^st, 2010 - H.C. Starck sold its AMPERKAT^® business to Evonik Degussa GmbH, Essen on February 26, 2010. With this acquisition, Evonik gains the know-how and technology for the production and application of these catalysts. The AMPERKAT^® brand includes activated nickel sponge metal catalysts, also known as skeleton-metal catalysts, and customized carrier catalysts for use in the pharmaceutical and food industries as well as in the production of fine chemicals.

Until now, H.C. Starck has manufactured these products at its Laufenburg site in Baden-Wuerttemberg. This facility will continue to be used, until Evonik transfers production to its site in Hanau.

 

H.C. Starck announced its intention to sell the AMPERKAT^® product line some time ago because these catalysts no longer belong to the company’s core businesses. In its markets the AMPERKAT^® brand is known for its high quality. In line with a license agreement, Evonik will continue to use this brand name for a limited period of time.

 

When catalyst production is discontinued in Laufenburg, jobs for the eight employees working in this plant will be found in other areas of the site, as stipulated in the company agreement to secure jobs in Goslar und Laufenburg.

 

The business of the H.C. Starck Group with catalyst precursors based on tungsten, molybdenum, tantalum, niobium and rhenium will not be affected by this sale. These products will remain an important part of the company’s product portfolio.

Contact:
H.C. Starck GmbH
Manfred Bütefisch
Vice President
Corporate Communications
38642 Goslar
T:  +49 (5321) 751 3153
F:  +49 (5321) 751 4153
M: +49 160 886 09 53
manfred.buetefisch@hcstarck.com

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