WESEL, Germany - ALTANA AG announced that ALTANA Chemie AG completed the acquisition of the ECKART group as of October 1, 2005. The acquisition had been announced in August 2005. The responsible antitrust authorities have now approved the acquisition.

Within the framework of the transaction, ALTANA Chemie acquired the entire business of the global leading manufacturer of metallic effect pigments for applications in paints and printing inks, plastics and cosmetics, as well as technical applications, for a gross purchase price of €630 million ("cash and debt-free" basis). ALTANA Chemie retains all of ECKART's sites and employees. ECKART's name and corporate identity will be maintained; the company will become ALTANA Chemie's fourth division, "Effect Pigments." The new division will be managed by Dr. Christoph Schlünken, the new head of the management board of the ECKART group.