DARMSTADT, Germany – Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, announced a cooperation agreement with durXtreme GmbH of Ulm, Germany. Effective immediately, the coatings specialist will take over Merck KGaA’s European business for polysilazane-based coating formulations marketed under the tutoProm™ brand.
The tutoProm product range was added to the Merck KGaA portfolio through the acquisition of AZ Electronic Materials and has been marketed by durXtreme since 2014. According to the cooperation agreement, durXtreme is receiving an exclusive five-year license covering manufacturing, commercialization and brand usage rights for tutoProm bright, tutoProm matt HD, CAG 37, and CL 1068 in Europe.
DurXtreme is an established formulation expert and specialist in customized polysilazane-based high-performance coatings and their applications. "We are delighted to have found a highly qualified partner for our customers and are certain that durXtreme will expand the business further," said Michael Weiden, Head of Functional Materials within the Performance Materials business sector of Merck KGaA. "Going forward, we at Merck KGaA will focus on our core competencies in material production, and not on coatings manufacturing."
At the same time, the commercialization of the polysilazane binder Durazane will be transferred back to Merck KGaA. Durazane products are used to produce high-performance coatings for surface protection and have also been marketed by durXtreme since 2014.
A transparent coating system, tutoProm provides an ultra-thin, glass-like finish and lasting soiling protection to smooth, non-suction surfaces. It is applied in the interior and on the exterior of public transport for graffiti protection and is also used to protect building facades, ship hulls, classic cars and artwork in public spaces from negative environmental influences. The coating system ideally complements the durXtreme portfolio, which offers a broad range of products specifically developed for ultra-thin yet highly durable surface coatings in industrial applications. According to the cooperation agreement covering tutoProm, durXtreme GmbH will also receive access to manufacturing know-how and take over the existing customer base of Merck KGaA for polysilazane-containing finished formulations.
