The Germany-headquartered group said the buys would add to the capabilities of its Eckart division, which makes metallic inks and pigments for printing applications among other products.  

The acquired companies are TLS Technik in Germany and Aluminium Materials Technologies (AMT) in the UK.

TLS Technik makes high-quality metal powders for 3D printing, while AMT has patented A20X, a special alloy for 3D printing that delivers “significantly lighter components with outstanding mechanical properties”.

Dr Wolfgang Schütt, head of the Eckart division, commented: “AMT and its A20X alloy complement TLS’ capabilities, enabling us to offer users even more high-performance materials in the future, including in the aerospace industry, a key market for metallic 3D printing.”

Altana said that the the importance of 3D printing would continue to grow because of the economic challenges caused by Covid-19.

The terms of the acquisitions were not disclosed.

Altana had sales of €2.2bn (£2.03bn) last year. The group has four divisions: Byk, Eckart, Elantas and Actega.

Actega Metal Print is in the process of commercialising the Metallography technology originally developed by Landa that aims to replace conventional foiling. It is now known as EcoLeaf.

Altana has a 33% stake in Landa Digital Printing.

Separately, well known Netherlands print group Em De Jong has become the latest European printing business to order a Landa press. The firm's S10P perfector will be installed early next year. It will take Landa's European installations to six, with five on the continent and one here in the UK at Bluetree Group's Route 1 operation.