The specialty chemicals group Altana (Wesel, Germany; www.altana.com) and Landa Corp. have concluded an equity financing agreement under which Altana will invest €100 million (~US$135 million) for a minority stake in Landa Digital Printing. Both companies see the agreement not only as a financial investment, but also as a starting point for a long-term strategic partnership to bring digital printing solutions to the commercial, packaging and publishing markets. Other units of the Landa Group, including Landa Labs and Landa Ventures, are not included in the transaction.
The proceeds will be used for completing the development of Nanography, Landa’s water-based digital printing process, including engineering and production ramp-up of Landa Nanographic Printing Presses and building of manufacturing plants for Landa NanoInk colorants.
Altana is expected to be an active partner, drawing on print industry expertise gained from its divisions including BYK Additives & Instruments, Eckart Effect Pigments, and Actega Coatings & Sealants.