Technology Group Strengthens Its Position in Plastics Technology for Biopharmaceutical Disposables

GOETTINGEN, Germany–Sartorius AG (GER:SRT), an internationally leading laboratory and process equipment provider, acquired all shares in Toha Plast GmbH effective January 3, 2007. Toha Plast GmbH develops and manufactures plastic components for the medical and biotechnology branches and has been a long-term supplier and development partner to Sartorius in plastics technology including processing of thermoplastics and injection molding. The company has some 75 employees at its location in Goettingen and modern cleanroom production. The contractual parties of this acquisition have agreed to maintain the price of this transaction confidential. In July 2006, Sartorius had already purchased a relatively small Toha Plast production facility in Puerto Rico.

By acquiring Toha Plast, the Sartorius Biotechnology Division is continuing to expand its technological expertise in the field of plastics. Injection-molded and thermoplastic components are integrated into all disposables supplied by this division, for instance, in filters, disposable bioreactors and disposable fluid handling bags for the pharmaceutical industry.

“For our further dynamic growth with disposables, plastics technology has a high strategic significance. For this reason, we intend to have this technology available and further develop it within our own group. In this field, Toha Plast is bringing highly competent and experienced employees and an outstanding production facility into our group. Already in 2007, we are expecting this acquisition to contribute positive earnings,” commented Dr. Joachim Kreuzburg, CEO of Sartorius, about the acquisition. Thomas Hackel, owner and managing director of Toha Plast GmbH to date, pointed out the excellent development opportunities Sartorius offers to the company he built up.

“I am pleased that following intensive cooperation of more than 30 years with Sartorius, Toha Plast will now become part of this dynamic group. This is in line with my agenda and with the interests of all Toha staff.”

The acquisition of Toha Plast is a further step for Sartorius in becoming the market leader in the rapidly growing market of disposables for biopharmaceutical production processes. Already today, Sartorius has gained an internationally leading position in this area. In recent years, the company has been systematically extending its array of disposables through own developments and alliances.