#Nonwovens / Technical Textiles
HeiQ strengthens its antimicrobial technology platform with the acquisition of German materials innovator RAS AG
RAS AG is a materials innovation company that drives the design of resource-efficient and sustainable products for a safe and modern living environment. The company develops and produces highly functionalized materials for this purpose and is a service provider in shaping markets with scientific creativity and know-how. This includes the manufacture of antimicrobial, hygiene-enhancing additives and durable antimicrobial coating systems which are sold worldwide under the trademark agpure®, and transparent electrically conductive and infrared reflective coatings sold under the ECOS® trademark. The acquisition is in line with HeiQ’s strategic goal to gain market share in hygiene solutions by providing antimicrobial surface hygiene technologies to the healthcare sector.
HeiQ co-founder and CEO Carlo Centonze, said: “The acquisition of RAS AG adds to our technology portfolio and innovation capabilities, allowing us to push deeper into markets including durable surface protection, antimicrobials, conductive transparent materials, infrared reflective coatings, controlled release technologies and R&D innovation services. Gaining market share in hygiene solutions by providing antimicrobial surface hygiene technologies to the healthcare sector is one of HeiQ’s key strategic goals.
RAS AG’s resource-efficient and sustainable products, together with its technology platforms and HeiQ’s expertise and commercial reach represent an exciting combination to achieve this goal. Like HeiQ, RAS AG is a very entrepreneurial, science-driven business and is therefore an excellent cultural fit for HeiQ. Located practically on campus of one of Germany’s leading materials and life science universities, RAS AG is ideally positioned to bring additional innovation capabilities to HeiQ’s global R&D network. We look forward to working with Dr. Zech, Dr. Maier, Dr. Nusko, Mr. Schneider and the RAS team.”
Dr. Zech, CEO and Mr. Schneider, CSO of RAS AG, commented: “As an early pioneer in silver-based technologies for antimicrobial and transparent conductive coating applications, there are strong synergies with HeiQ. HeiQ provides the expertise, infrastructure and global market access to meet the growing demand of our outstanding technologies. In combination with the RAS innovation center, we enrich HeiQ’s global R&D team with new impulses and our longstanding expertise and innovation networks. We are proud to be part of the HeiQ Group, the entire RAS team looks forward to a fruitful cooperation.”
