DSM Desotech Inc., a subsidiary of Royal DSM N.V. based in the Netherlands, and JSR Corporation announced today that the two companies have signed definitive agreements that will result in JSR acquiring the display coatings business that the two companies have jointly cooperated in as part of their joint venture, Japan Fine Coatings Co., Ltd. 

JSR will directly acquire DSM Desotech’s display coatings technology and business positions in this same market area outside Japan. No physical assets are involved in the acquisition. Parties have agreed not to disclose the transaction price to be paid by JSR to DSM. The effective date of the transaction date will be April 1, 2006. The book gain for DSM on this transaction amounts to approximately EUR 10 million after tax, which will be reported by DSM in the results for the second quarter of 2006.

The display business consists of coatings used in the production of flat panel displays for protection, anti-reflection and related purposes. JSR will acquire patents and business rights to this business on a global basis, along with related technologies.