Oerlikon has acquired DIARC Technology Oy, a Finnish provider of surface technologies and services. The acquisition extends Oerlikon Balzers' technology portfolio in the automotive and precision components industry as well as the portfolio of surface treatments.
DIARC Technology Oy, a Finnish company founded in 1993, manufactures thin-film coatings that improve the performance and wear resistance of tools and precision components. The company currently employs 16 people, develops DIARC® FCAPAD (Filtered Cathodic Arc Plasma Accelerator Deposition) coating technologies and supplies customers with Ta-C structured amorphous diamond, functional carbon and metal nanocomposite thin-film coatings, as well as ultra-dense metal nitride and metal oxide coatings at a very low coating temperature of less than 100 ° C.
With this acquisition, the next step in Oerlikon Balzers' strategy is to increase growth in the automotive industry and expand customer service. In addition to the increased presence of Oerlikon Balzers in Finland, DIARC offers new functional coatings for surface finish, enhanced functionality and surface protection. Oerlikon Balzers is thus able to provide its customers worldwide with additional know-how and a broader portfolio of surface treatments in the fields of R & D, coating services, process development and plants.
The acquisition agreement was signed on 4 January 2018 and officially closed on 19 February. With the acquisition, DIARC will be part of a surface technology technology leader, backed by Oerlikon Balzers' global R & D and manufacturing network. The day-to-day operation of the existing site as well as the business and cooperation with customers and partners of DIARC will continue as before, but now with DIARC as part of Oerlikon Balzers. Both parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.
"DIARC offers its customers in Europe unique and innovative surface solutions based on their expertise and experience. As a highly specialized service provider in the tooling and precision components market, DIARC will further expand our range of ta-C solutions for the automotive market and strengthen our position in Scandinavia. With this acquisition, we are accelerating the global expansion of our services. DIARC solutions ideally complement our existing technology and coating portfolio and offer yet another addition to our current surface technologies. We would like to warmly welcome the DIARC team of talented and highly qualified engineers, "said Jochen Weyandt, Head of Business Unit Automotive Solutions, Oerlikon.