ALTANA Group Invests $135 Million in Landa Digital Printing
WESEL, GERMANY and REHOVOT, ISRAEL—June 25, 2014—Landa Corp. has just concluded an equity financing agreement with specialty chemicals leader ALTANA that infuses $135 million into the development of Landa’s Nanographic printing technology that was first introduced to the world at drupa 2012. Because the new printing process—called Nanography—relies on ink colorants with particles far smaller than those used in conventional, inkjet and electrophotographic printing, it is highly dependent on the ink used. Having a partner with deep expertise in refining and producing chemical products makes this a valuable alliance for Landa and brings this innovative technology a big step closer to commercial availability. According to Landa, its technology works on a wide range of substrates and is suited to most types of commercial printing as well as numerous package printing applications.
The agreement gives ALTANA 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 and Instruments, ECKART Effect Pigments and ACTEGA Coatings and Sealants. “We are extremely excited to be partnering with an industry visionary like Benny Landa. We speak the same language in terms of innovation,” says Matthias Wolfgruber, CEO, ALTANA. “I am confident that we are investing in a game-changing technology that can enable the printing industry to thrive in the 21st century and help our customers position themselves well for the future.”
“We see our alliance with the ALTANA Group as a key milestone for our company and a strong vote of confidence in our mission to bring digital printing to mainstream commercial, packaging and publishing markets," said Benny Landa, chairman and CEO of Landa. “ALTANA brings a wealth of relevant industry and market experience as well as worldwide manufacturing expertise, which will be of great value as we expand our presence globally.”
