BYK Schkopau Expansion Delivers Powerful 25% Capacity Boost

BYK has inaugurated a major expansion of its high-performance additives facility in Schkopau, Germany. The approximately €12 million project increases production capacity by about 25% while adding storage infrastructure and a heating system designed to operate without fossil fuels.

The specialty chemicals producer officially opened the expanded facility at Dow’s ValuePark industrial site on August 21, 2026. The investment strengthens BYK’s ability to supply thermoplastic modifiers and granulated additives to customers across Europe.  BYK Schkopau expansion

Key facts

• Investment: approximately €12 million
• Production capacity increase: about 25%
• New infrastructure: one extrusion line
• Additional storage: 600 pallet positions
• Workforce: approximately 50 employees
• Fossil-fuel phaseout target: end of 2027

New extrusion line expands additive production

At the center of the BYK Schkopau expansion is a new extrusion line capable of manufacturing additives in granulated form.

These materials are used in applications including glass-fiber coatings and household appliances. The Schkopau plant specializes in thermoplastic products and high-performance modifiers sold under BYK’s SCONA® brand.

SCONA additives can serve as adhesion promoters or coupling agents in plastics and composite materials. By strengthening the connection between otherwise dissimilar materials, they can help improve mechanical performance and durability.

BYK identifies applications ranging from appliance housings and automotive components to toothbrush handles and wood-polymer decking.

Storage and distribution receive an upgrade

The investment extends beyond production equipment. BYK has constructed a warehouse providing 600 additional pallet spaces, together with a loading ramp for containerized goods.

That added logistics capacity should help the site manage its higher output and serve European customers more efficiently. BYK has not disclosed expected production volumes or provided a detailed schedule for ramping the new line to full utilization.

The Schkopau facility employs approximately 50 people. The company has not announced whether the latest expansion will create additional permanent positions.

Fossil-free heating supports the 2027 target

Energy infrastructure formed another important part of the project. The new heating system combines recovered waste heat with industrial heat pumps instead of relying on direct fossil-fuel heating.

BYK said the technology is new to the company in this particular configuration. Experience gained in Schkopau could therefore inform comparable energy projects at other BYK production sites.

A separate conversion project is intended to eliminate the remaining fossil-fuel use at the Schkopau facility by the end of 2027. This is a site-specific target and should not be interpreted as a company-wide fossil-fuel phaseout date.

BYK has not yet published projected energy savings or emissions reductions from the installation.

Long-term investment in Schkopau

The Schkopau operation has belonged to BYK-Chemie GmbH since 2011. Including the latest development, the company says it has invested approximately €27 million at the location over the past 15 years.

The plant forms part of BYK’s international manufacturing network, which includes production facilities in Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States and China. BYK employs approximately 2,700 people worldwide and operates as ALTANA’s largest division.

Expansion follows stronger ALTANA results

The inauguration came shortly after parent company ALTANA reported higher sales and earnings for the first half of 2026.

Group sales reached €1.675 billion, representing nominal growth of 3% from the prior-year period. On an operating basis—adjusted mainly for currency effects—sales increased by 8%.

BYK recorded sales growth of 5%, or 9% on an operating basis. ALTANA’s first-half EBITDA rose 14% to €332 million, lifting its EBITDA margin from 17.9% to 19.8%.

ALTANA cautioned that geopolitical uncertainty, armed conflicts and potential pressure on demand and raw-material costs could affect the second half. It nevertheless maintained its full-year outlook for mid-single-digit operating sales growth.

Why the project matters

The BYK Schkopau expansion brings together three operational priorities: additional manufacturing capacity, stronger European logistics and lower dependence on fossil-fuel heating.

Its significance can be measured through clearly disclosed figures: an investment of approximately €12 million, a capacity increase of about one-quarter and 600 new pallet positions.

The next milestones will be the production ramp-up and completion of the remaining energy conversion by the end of 2027. Until BYK publishes performance data, the environmental impact of the project cannot be quantified independently.

Frequently asked questions

How much did BYK invest in Schkopau?

BYK invested approximately €12 million in the expanded production, storage and energy infrastructure.

How much additional capacity does the project provide?

The new extrusion line increases production capacity at the Schkopau facility by about 25%.

What does the Schkopau plant manufacture?

The facility produces thermoplastic products and high-performance plastic modifiers, including additives marketed under the SCONA brand.

When does BYK expect the site to become fossil-free?

BYK plans to phase out fossil-fuel use at the Schkopau facility by the end of 2027.

Sources

• BYK: Schkopau production expansion, August 21, 2026
• ALTANA: First-half 2026 results, August 19, 2026

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