History
Atotech traces its origins to Grüne Apotheke founded in Berlin in 1851 by Ernst Christian Friedrich Schering.[7]
In 1901, the electroplating division was launched. It produced salt mixtures for storing metals with the brand name Trisalyt.[8] In 1927, Chemische Fabrik auf Actien (vorm E. Schering) merged with CAF Kahlbaum Chemische Fabrik GmbH to create Schering-Kahlbaum AG (known as Schering AG after 1937).[9]
In 1936, the electroplating division developed the first “fast” electrolyte – Copper Trisalyt Extra Rapid – as well as the world's first gloss surface bath, called 'Brilliant.' The success of these innovations led to the establishment of the first department for electroplating.
In 1951, Schering AG started its electroplating division in Feucht, Germany, where Atotech had its main equipment production site. In 1989, the electroplating division moved to a new location in Berlin, Germany.[10]
In 1993, Schering AG sold its electroplating division to the French chemical company ELF Atochem. Subsequently, ELFAtochem merged its subsidiary M&T Harshaw with the newly acquired electroplating division from Schering AG and founded Atotech Deutschland GmbH.
The company established factories and service centers in Germany. Later, manufacturing and service networks were launched across Europe, Asia, and subsequently in the Americas.
At the end of 2016, Atotech was sold by Total to The Carlyle Group.[11]
In March 2017, Geoff Wild was appointed as CEO of Atotech. The company's CFO[12] is Peter Frauenknecht. John Stephenson heads the operations of the Group as COO.[13] Josh McMorrow is Group General Counsel for Atotech.[14]
On February 4, 2021, Atotech went public with an IPO on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker name "ATC".[15]
In July 2021, MKS Instruments agreed to purchase Atotech for $5.1 billion in cash-and stock deal.[16]
