BYK-Gardner USA, a subsidiary of the specialty chemicals group ALTANA, recently announced its acquisition of perisens GmbH. This strategic move aims to broaden BYK's portfolio of measurement and testing instruments, particularly within the burgeoning autonomous driving market.
BYK-Gardner USA Acquires perisens GmbH, Bolstering Autonomous Driving Measurement Capabilities
In a significant development for the specialty chemicals sector, BYK-Gardner USA, an integral part of the ALTANA group, has finalized the acquisition of perisens GmbH. Headquartered near Munich in Feldkirchen, Germany, perisens is renowned for its expertise in developing and manufacturing advanced measurement and testing equipment specifically designed for automotive radar sensors and their protective covers, known as radomes. These sophisticated systems are crucial for ensuring the high quality and performance of painted plastic components in vehicles equipped with radar technology for autonomous driving functionalities. The primary objective of these instruments is to verify that the paint applications do not unduly diminish radar signals, thus preserving the radar's operational integrity.
This acquisition represents a deliberate strategic expansion for ALTANA's BYK division, allowing it to integrate innovative radar measurement technologies into its existing suite of measurement and testing instruments. perisens, which originated as a spin-off from the Technical University of Munich in 2009, will now be incorporated into BYK-Gardner, with its main operations situated in Geretsried, Bavaria.
The patented technology offered by perisens, embodied in its Radome Measurement Systems (RMS) of the RMS-C and RMS-D series, provides comprehensive solutions for radar radomes, covering everything from initial development to rigorous quality control in mass production. Since their introduction in 2014, these RMS systems have been widely adopted globally by prominent automakers, radar sensor manufacturers, and suppliers of plastic components, as well as by companies specializing in paint and pigment production. These systems are versatile, capable of being deployed as laboratory measuring instruments or integrated into robot-controlled production lines, enabling precise process management for coated plastic automotive parts.
A key aspect of the acquisition involves the seamless transfer of perisens employees to BYK, ensuring continuity and leveraging their specialized knowledge. Dr. Jörg Hinnerwisch, Division President of BYK, highlighted the synergistic nature of the acquisition, stating, "perisens' radar measurement instruments are an ideal complement to BYK-Gardner's innovative color and gloss measurement instruments. This represents cutting-edge technology with promising future prospects." Dr. Jörg Krames, Managing Director of BYK-Gardner, further emphasized the strategic vision: "In line with our motto, 'Measure the visible and beyond,' integrating this new measurement technology allows us to provide our existing customers in the automotive and coatings industries with another significant advancement in our product portfolio, as radar measurement will become indispensable for autonomous driving in the future." Dr. Florian Pfeiffer, Managing Partner at perisens, expressed optimism about the integration, noting that it will accelerate the development of their testing and measurement instruments, enhance brand recognition, and consistently propel innovation forward.
This acquisition underscores BYK's commitment to advancing technological capabilities in the automotive industry. By integrating perisens' specialized radar measurement expertise, BYK is not only expanding its product offerings but also positioning itself at the forefront of quality assurance for autonomous vehicle components. The synergy between BYK-Gardner's established presence and perisens' innovative technology promises to deliver enhanced solutions, meeting the evolving demands of modern vehicle manufacturing and contributing significantly to the safety and reliability of autonomous driving systems.