Landa receives fresh backing and finance

Specialty chemicals group Altana has signed an equity financing agreement with Landa Corporation, which will see Altana invest US$135m for a minority stake in Landa Digital Printing.

Benny Landa, chairman and chief executive of Landa Corporation, says, “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.

The companies say they see the agreement as a financial investment and as a starting point for a long-term strategic partnership to bring digital printing solutions to the commercial, packaging and publishing markets.

Matthias L Wolfgruber, chief executive of Altana, says, “We are extremely excited to be partnering with an industry visionary like Benny Landa. We speak the same language in terms of innovation. 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.”

Landa will use the money for completing the development of Nanography, Landa’s water-based digital printing process, including engineering and production ramp-up of Landa’s nanographic printing presses and building of manufacturing plants for its ink colorants.

It expects Altana to take an active role, drawing on print industry expertise gained from its additives, pigments, coatings and sealants divisions. Landa adds, “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.”

Other units of the Landa Group, including Landa Labs and Landa Ventures, are not included in the transaction.

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