ALTANA AG (NYSE:AAA)(FWB:ALT)(GER:ALT), which now concentrates on the specialty chemicals business, signed a contract to acquire the worldwide effect pigments business of the British company Wolstenholme Group Ltd. In 2006, Wolstenholme achieved sales of about €29 million in this business area. The purchase price for the business is €24 million. Rutland Partners LLP, a financial investor, is the majority owner of the company, which was founded in 1938. The acquisition is subject to approval by the antitrust authorities.

The acquired business comprises bronze and aluminum pigments as well as printing inks based on these pigments for the graphic arts, coatings and plastics industries. The business will be integrated into ECKART, ALTANA's Effect Pigments division, which generated sales of €339 million in 2006. ALTANA will not take over Wolstenholme's production plants and employees in Great Britain. Instead, ECKART is going to increase the production capacities in its main factory in the Franconian town of Güntersthal (Bavaria) accordingly. Wolstenholme will continue to carry out the production of effect pigments on behalf of ECKART until the transfer of the production to Germany will have been fully completed.

?We are happy to purchase the effect pigments activities of Wolstenholme, a successful business with a long tradition,? commented Dr. Matthias L. Wolfgruber, CEO of ALTANA AG. ?The acquired business is a perfect fit for ALTANA and the acquisition underlines our growth ambitions.?

?In the medium term, we will invest about €10 million in our site in Güntersthal in order to take over the production from Wolstenholme,? Dr. Christoph Schlünken, President Division Effect Pigments, emphasized the importance of the transaction.

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This press release contains forward-looking statements, i.e. current estimates or expectations of future events or future results. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. ALTANA does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update forward-looking statements to reflect facts, circumstances or events that have occurred or changed after such statements have been made.

About ALTANA:

ALTANA develops and produces high-quality innovative products in the specialty chemicals business. The ALTANA Group, with headquarters in Wesel/Germany, is a genuine ?global player? with 83% of its sales generated by international activities. The ALTANA Group has four divisions: BYK Additives & Instruments, ECKART Effect Pigments, ELANTAS Electrical Insulation, and ACTEGA Coatings & Sealants. All of these divisions occupy a leading position in their target markets with respect to quality, product solution expertise, innovation and service.

ALTANA offers innovative, environmentally compatible solutions with the matching specialty products for coating manufactures, paint and plastic processors, the printing and cosmetic industries, and the electrical and electronic industry. The product range includes additives, special coatings and adhesives, effect pigments, sealants and compounds, impregnating resins & varnishes, and testing and measuring instruments. At present the ALTANA Group has 31 production facilities and 45 service and research laboratories worldwide. Throughout the group 4,500 people work to ensure the success of ALTANA worldwide. In 2006 ALTANA achieved sales of about 1.3 billion euros. Its impressive earning power and high growth rate make ALTANA one of the most successful and innovative chemical groups worldwide.

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