Buying know-how

In a move to further consolidate its expertise in the area of high-temperature polymers, the German speciality chemicals firm

is buying all the know-how and patents of Ticona in the field of polyaryl ether ketones.

Patents and know-how for the manufacture and use of these polymers had been developed in the Technical Polymers Division of Hoechst in the 1990s and had been assigned to Ticona when Hoechst spun off its non-pharma businesses in 1999.

The acquisition will strengthen Degussa's High Performance Polymers Business Unit, which is currently preparing to launch a Chinese joint venture - JIDA Degussa High Performance Polymers Changchun.

The new company, 80% owned by Degussa and 20% owned by Jilin University, will produce polyether ether ketones (PEEK).