Ion Beam

Bühler Leybold Optics acquires substantial parts and technologies from Opteg

Alzenau (Germany), February 12, 2018 – The Bühler Alzenau GmbH, Business Area Leybold Optics acquired substantial parts and technologies from Opteg GmbH as per February 1, 2018. The transfer includes products and processes that focus on optics, ion beam technology, precision mechanics, and electronics/software.

Opteg has been a key component supplier to Bühler Leybold Optics for over ten years. In particular its OMS (Optical Monitoring System), a measurement system designed for precision optics applications, is a core technology in many of the Leybold Optics solutions. The system operates to an accuracy of one millionth of a millimeter, which offers clear competitive advantages in the field of thin-film coatings. By integrating its partner, Bühler Leybold Optics secures an in-house manufacturing of optical measurement systems, while strengthening its technological capabilities in the development of new process control components. Another outstanding core competence of Opteg is the development and production of vacuum systems for the finest processing of optics by ion and plasma beams. The technologies known as IBF (Ion Beam Figuring) and PACE (Plasma Assisted Chemical Etching) are indispensable for the ultra-precise surface processing of high-end optics and thus ideally complement our product portfolio with coating machines.

In connection with the acquisition, around 15 employees of Opteg GmbH will join Bühler Leybold Optics as part of a change in ownership. The existing Opteg location in Leipzig will be developed and expanded into a center of competence for optical measurement systems and process components within the Bühler Leybold Optics organization. The high-tech triangle Leipzig-Jena-Dresden offers an outstanding basis for this endeavor.

The formal transition takes place on February 1, 2018. Antonio Requena, the Head of Bühler Leybold Optics, emphasizes that this acquisition strengthens the company’s technological capabilities. “We warmly welcome the employees of Opteg GmbH to the Bühler Group and look forward to intensive and competent collaboration with our new colleagues in Saxony in the future”.

About Business Area Leybold Optics
With its vacuum deposition equipment, Bühler Leybold Optics contributes among other things to energy efficiency, comfort and food preservation. Thin-film applied on our machines ranges from functional optics coatings for window glass to headlight reflectors as well as flexible packaging. Coatings for Ophthalmic and precision optics products such as lenses, lasers, or high-end telescopes complete the Leybold Optics product portfolio. Buildings with coated fassade glass require up to 50 % less energy for heating and cooling. The Business Area of Bühler Group combines state-of-the-art equipment technology with comprehensive process and application know-how to offer customers complete production solutions.