DSM Acquires Biopract

Royal DSM announced an agreement to acquire Biopract, based in Berlin, Germany. The acquisition of privately held Biopract will serve as an entry point for DSM into the promising biogas market, which is showing 15-20 % growth per year. Parties agreed not to disclose financial details of the acquisition. The impact of the acquisition on DSM's net sales in 2009 and 2010 is not expected to be material. Biopract's main focus has been on the commercialization and extension of their Methaplus enzyme series for the improvement of agricultural and industrial biogas production. The company has a strong application and technology position in this field. Driven by climate change and alternative energy initiatives, the market for production and optimization of biogas-related processes will become significant in the coming years. The acquisition of Biopract will accelerate DSM's growth in this market. Biopract's activities will be integrated into DSM's biogas service concept for optimizing the biotechnology of biogas plants.