Executive Forum

Expanding reach in optical coatings market, Materion acquires Optics Balzers

June 8, 2020

Optical coatings maker Materion entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Optics Balzers, which specializes in optical thin-film coatings.

LFW Staff

Coated optical components are one of the core competencies of Optics Balzers and are closely monitored for quality.

On June 8, 2020, optical coatings maker Materion (Mayfield Heights, OH) entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Optics Balzers (Balzers, Liechtenstein), which specializes in optical thin-film coatings, in an all-cash transaction expected to close in the third quarter of 2020.

The structures of the two companies complement one another, as Optics Balzers will profit from Materion's sales strength in the U.S. and Materion will benefit from Optics Balzers’ market position in Europe. The current market development made clear that Optics Balzers could achieve its growth targets with an additional location in the U.S.—furthermore, the optics plant in Malaysia fits into Materion’s roadmap.

Under new ownership, the headquarters of Optics Balzers will remain the center for innovation of optical coatings and components.

In Balzers, Liechtenstein, Materion’s high-end coating technologies will be set up (for example, infrared) to serve the European market in addition to the existing Optics Balzers’ product portfolio. In Jena, Germany, the demanding coatings for life sciences, industry, and space will be strengthened, Detlev Haeusler, CEO of Optics Balzers, expects. In Penang, Malaysia, Materion will set up additional projects to broaden the diversification.

With this acquisition, Materion significantly expands its geographic reach in the optical coatings market, extending beyond its core of North America to include Europe and Asia. Complementary technologies across the electromagnetic spectrum boost the capabilities of the combined portfolio and position Materion to capitalize on key megatrends in the life sciences, consumer, and industrial markets.

For more information, please visit materion.com and opticsbalzers.com.

Source: Materion press release – June 8, 2020

About the Author

LFW Staff

Published since 1965, Laser Focus World—a brand and magazine for engineers, researchers, scientists, and technical professionals—provides comprehensive global coverage of optoelectronic technologies, applications, and markets. With 80,000+ qualified print subscribers in print and over a half-million annual visitors to our online content, we are the go-to source to access decision makers and stay in-the-know.