Honeywell Agrees To Acquire Research Chemicals Business From Sigma-Aldric

(RTTNews) - Diversified conglomerate Honeywell International Inc. (HON) said it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Seelze, Germany-based laboratory research chemicals business from Sigma-Aldrich for 105 million euros.

The business being acquired develops and manufactures high-purity research chemicals and other materials used in new drug discovery, medical diagnostic testing and other laboratory applications.

Honeywell will acquire three global brands - 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, and Chromasolv high-purity solvents for chromatography, a technique used to separate and analyze complex mixtures.

The newly acquired business will be integrated into Honeywell's Fine Chemicals business.

Separately, Sigma-Aldrich said this sale is intended to fulfill the commitments the company made to the European Union to receive final approval for the sale of the company to Merck KGaA of Darmstadt, Germany.