Honeywell (NYSE: HON) today announced that it has completed the acquisition of the Seelze, Germany-based laboratory research chemicals business from Sigma-Aldrich, broadening Honeywell's offerings for high-purity solutions for drug discovery, medical diagnostic testing and other laboratory applications.
The acquisition includes the Fluka-branded solvents and inorganic chemistry portfolio worldwide and the Sigma-Aldrich-branded solvents and inorganic chemistry portfolio in the European Economic Area (EEA). Those offerings are now part of Honeywell's broader portfolio of offerings for research chemicals, which already includes the Riedel-de Haën® and Burdick & Jackson® brands.
"The combined Honeywell business will be able to serve a broader range of customers and applications with global brands recognized for world-class quality and lot-to-lot consistency – essential for a range of applications including drug synthesis, food, environmental, chemical and forensic testing," said Qamar Bhatia, president of Honeywell's Specialty Products business. "To make the transition process as seamless as possible, customers will still order products directly through Sigma-Aldrich and receive the same level of dedicated customer, technical and logistical support as they always have."
The Honeywell portfolio now includes six product lines:
- Fluka® chemicals and reagents used for biochemical research and other chemical and pharmaceutical applications
- Hydranal® Karl Fischer titration reagents used by laboratories to measure moisture content in liquids and solids
- Chromasolv® high-purity solvents for chromatography, a technique used to separate and analyze complex mixtures
- Riedel-de Haën® high-quality research chemicals used in pharmaceutical production and bioscience
- Burdick & Jackson® high-purity solvents, reagents and chromatography products for laboratories and pharmaceutical production
- Sigma-Aldrich® solvents and inorganics sold into the European Economic Area
The acquired business employs approximately 200 people, primarily in Seelze, with sales and marketing personnel throughout Europe. Honeywell's Seelze plant, which manufactures Riedel-de Haën-branded products, currently makes the majority of the products in the acquired business.
The acquired business will be integrated into Honeywell's Fine Chemicals business and will continue to be led by the core leadership team of the acquired company. With two production sites, Seelze and Muskegon, Mich., in the U.S., the combined business unit will be able to develop and manufacture high-purity research chemicals and other materials used in new drug discovery, medical diagnostic testing and other laboratory applications.
With the addition of titration products, high-purity solvents and reagents, and specialty inorganic chemicals, Honeywell builds on an already strong portfolio of Burdick & Jackson and Riedel-de Haën products. Honeywell's Fine Chemicals business has supplied high-quality research chemicals and specialty organic and inorganic compounds to the chemical and pharmaceutical industries for more than 100 years. Its products are sold under the Burdick & Jackson and Riedel-de Haën brands, and are used in a variety of laboratory, consumer and industrial applications including drug discovery, toothpaste, water purification, fortified foodstuffs, polymer synthesis, and metal surface treatment and finishing.
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