MOSCOW (MRC) -- Essen-based Evonik Industries, a leading specialty chemicals manufacturer, has invested in Nanocomp Oy Ltd. (Lehmo, Finland) and now holds a minority share in the company, said the producer in its press release.
It was made as part of an investment syndicate with Finnvera Venture Capital. The investment sum was not disclosed. Nanocomp is a leading developer and producer of micro- and nano-optical structures that are imprinted on polymer films. Their functionalities enable optical systems to achieve higher performance - and to become smaller at the same time.
Nanocomp’s innovations in nanophotonics give access to light management techniques that cannot be achieved with conventional optics: Cameras are enabled to recognize gestures even in 3D and surgeons can rely on better image quality for minimally invasive operations. Information on displays is easier to read - even in difficult lighting conditions. Nano-optical structures are also needed in so-called augmented reality, for example in glasses where additional (virtual) information is phased into one’s field of view by an integrated mini-computer.
"Nanocomp’s activities have a high strategic fit with Evonik’s business," explains Dr. Bernhard Mohr, head of Venture Capital at Evonik. "The progress both in digitalization and in the use of human/machine-interfaces calls for the miniaturization of the functional optical elements. With their know-how, Nanocomp is a pioneer in this area. For Evonik this is a door-opener to highly attractive growth markets."
Nanocomp uses innovative light-guide films from Evonik for manufacturing micro- and nano-optical structures. The Finnish company owns a unique technology (roll-to-roll-based), where the structures are imprinted onto the films in a highly efficient and precise way. Nanocomp’s products are already used in state-of-the-art display illumination and in laser sensing solutions. Within the consumer electronics market, the company achieves yearly revenues in the medium single-digit million euro range.
Evonik plans to invest a total of EUR100 million in highly promising start-ups with break-through technologies and leading specialist venture capital funds as part of its venture capital activities. These investments will focus on Europe, the US and Asia. Partnering with innovative start-up companies supplements Evonik’s approach of open innovation and creates excellent opportunities for accelerating the development of new businesses and opening up future growth fields.
We remind that, as MRC wrote before, Evonik Industries is making an investment in the double-digit-million euro range in a new research center at the Rheinfelden site. Starting at the beginning of 2016, research into silanes will be carried out in modern laboratories in the four-story building.
Evonik, the creative industrial group from Germany, is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. Its activities focus on the key megatrends health, nutrition, resource efficiency and globalization. Evonik benefits specifically from its innovative prowess and integrated technology platforms. Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world. In fiscal 2013 more than 33,500 employees generated sales of around EUR12.9 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of about EUR2.0 billion.
Nanocomp is a privately-held high-technology company established in 1997 focused on manufacturing of micro- and nanophotonics products for consumer electronics, laser sensing and special lighting sectors.
MRC