Schkopau, August 21, 2026 – BYK continues to invest in Germany as a chemical industry hub and has expanded its production and storage capacities in Schkopau. The new facility at the Dow ValuePark was officially inaugurated today in the presence of Hartmut Handschak, district administrator of the Saale district; Torsten Ringling, mayor of Schkopau; and other regional business and political representatives. In doing so, BYK`s investment specifically strengthens the site’s long-term viability and lays the foundation for further growth. At the same time, in the current challenging economic environment, BYK is deliberately sending a positive signal for Saxony-Anhalt and Germany as an industrial hub.
BYK’s Schkopau facility specializes in innovative thermoplastic products and high-performance plastic modifier production. With the construction of the new extrusion line, BYK can now produce granulated products, which are used in glass fiber coatings and household appliances, among other things. Production capacity will increase by about a quarter, which is significant for the approximately 50 employees and, of course, for customers in Europe. Additionally, a state-of-the-art warehouse with 600 extra pallet spaces and a loading ramp for containerized goods has been built.
The project also stands out for its sustainable energy concept. BYK is making an important contribution toward greater sustainability through a new heating system that uses no fossil fuels, but instead relies on heat recovery combined with heat pumps. In a separate project, BYK plans to completely phase out the use of fossil fuels at the site by the end of next year.
"The team led by Site Manager Thomas Merk has been exemplary in its dedication and professionalism in implementing this project, all while processing production orders to the usual high-quality standards and meeting delivery deadlines," remarks BYK Division President Dr. Jörg Hinnerwisch. "Here in Schkopau, we’re using technologies that are new to BYK in this form. The experience gained here will be invaluable when it comes time to implement these technologies at other BYK sites,” adds Matthias Kramer, Managing Director Production. "This project has succeeded in impressively combining efficiency and sustainability. High-quality plastic additives for a growing market are produced in Schkopau, and we support this to the best of our ability,” states Dr. Tammo Boinowitz, Member of the Management Board, ALTANA AG.
BYK is a leading global supplier of specialty chemicals. Among other things, BYK additives improve the scratch resistance and gloss of surfaces, the mechanical strength or flow behavior of materials, as well as properties such as lightfastness and flame retardancy. Our products can be found, for example, in wind turbine rotor blades and fuel cells, in interior wall paints and automotive coatings, as well as in detergents and food packaging.
The Schkopau site has been part of BYK-Chemie GmbH since 2011. Approximately 50 employees work here. BYK in Schkopau specializes in thermoplastic products and the manufacture of high-performance modifiers for plastics. These products, marketed under the SCONA® brand, can be found in numerous everyday applications—for example, in toothbrush handles, the housings of household appliances, or automotive components. The products can also be used as adhesion promotors in plastics and plastic composites; these include, for example, materials made from wood and polymers, such as those found on decks. There, our additives enhance strength and durability. Over the past 15 years, the company has already invested approximately 27 million euros in the site.
BYK has a global network of branches and operates production facilities in Germany (Wesel, Kempen, Schkopau, Moosburg, Geretsried), the Netherlands (Deventer, Denekamp, Nijverdal), and the United Kingdom (Widnes), as well as in the U.S. (Wallingford, Chester, Columbia, Earth City, Gonzales, Louisville, Pittsford), and in China (Shanghai, Tongling). The company is part of the ALTANA Group and employs approximately 2,700 people worldwide.
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