Merck to fully acquire Qlight Nanotech

 

Merck KGaA, a leading company for innovative healthcare, life science and performance materials based in Darmstadt, Germany, has announced that it is acquiring the remaining stake in Qlight Nanotech Ltd. (Jerusalem, Israel), and will hold 100% of the company. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

“The acquisition of Qlight Nanotech perfectly fits into our innovation strategy. We have set the basic platforms for growth in our three business sectors to grow organically and driven by innovation,” said Karl-Ludwig Kley, CEO and chairman of the executive board of Merck. By exploiting new technologies, Merck aims to strengthen its leadership in liquid crystal display materials and growing presence in OLED materials. Qlight’s novel nanocrystals help to improve colour impression and energy efficiency of modern displays.

The acquisition was announced during the Israel-Germany Innovation Day in Tel Aviv. Qlight Nanotech was founded in 2009 and since the beginning worked closely with Merck in a joint research programme supported by the Israeli Office of the Chief Scientist of the Israeli Ministry of Economy as part of its multinational company cooperation programme. Merck has invested into Qlight in two steps in 2012 and 2013. The company will remain the quantum materials research hub for the performance materials business sector of Merck.