ICI has moved to bolster its thriving catalyst business on Teesside with the acquisition of another German business.

ICI Synetix has acquired the CelActive business of Celanese Chemicals Europe.

The deal is the second to be done with the German operation. In October 1999, ICI Synetix acquired the Hoecat catalyst business from Celanese.

CelActiv catalysts are used in the world's chemicals markets in the manufacture of amines, oxo alcohols and agrochemicals.

Synetic will continue to supply the CelActiv and Hoecat portfolio of chemicals to existing customers.

Bob Coxon, chief executive of Synetix, said: "This deal will allow us to produce improved products and meet the increased demands of our customers worldwide.

"There are clear synergies in combining the different catalytic technologies and it brings us closer to our aim of creating one of the world's leading catalyst companies."

The CelActive and Hoecat businesses are based in Oberhausen, Germany, about 40 miles from Synetix's Emmerich site.

The businesses have annual sales of £9m. Around 50 Celanese employees will transfer to ICI when the deal is completed later this year.

Synetix, which employs around 360 people on Teesside, has ambitious plans to triple in size over the next few years.

The company, which won the Queen's Award for environmental achievement in 1998, is one of ICI's newest businesses and the only one with its headquarters on Teesside.

Synetix already has a leading position in the methanol, ammonia, edible oil and electrochemical industries. It has more than 5,000 customers in 85 countries.

lICI is a world leader in the production of specialty chemicals and paints. It has a range of more than 50,000 products and 45,000 employees.