Eka Chemicals acquire silica sol business

Eka Chemicals, Akzo Nobel's pulp and paper chemicals business, has announced the signing of an agreement to acquire the silica sol business of HC Starck Group (Leverkusen, Germany).

Under the brand name Levasil, HC Starck supplies colloidal silica sols to markets mainly in Europe and South East Asia. The production capacity is around 30,000 tons a year. Silica sols are used in industries which include paper, electronics and construction. Specifically, silica sols are used successfully in Eka's retention aid systems marketed unr the name of Compozil.

Subject to regulatory approvals, the acquisition is expected to be completed no later than the third quarter of 2008.