Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. (Tokyo, Japan) announced that group company SDC Technologies, Inc. has acquired Cotec GmbH. Engaged in the manufacture, sale and research of hydrophobic and anti-reflective coatings, Cotec officially became a wholly owned subsidiary of SDC on October 1, 2020.
In the field of coating materials, the Mitsui Chemicals Group followed up its acquisition of SDC in 2008 by using the group company to bring anti-fog coating specialist FSI Coating Technologies, Inc. under its umbrella in 2010. UV-curable hard coatings producer LTI Coating Technologies, LTI was then acquired in 2014 before being subsequently integrated with SDC in a 2017 absorption-type merger. Now with hydrophobic and anti-reflective coating expert Cotec as its latest acquisition, the Mitsui Chemicals Group is looking to enhance its offering of coating solutions for the ophthalmic lens market.
“Together we can provide coating materials for all layers of a complete eyewear lens coating stack,” said Antonios Grigoriou, CEO and President of SDC. “From Mitsui Chemicals’ innovative MR series of high refractive index optical lens materials, to SDC’s CrystalCoat top layer best-in-class abrasion resistant hard coats, to Cotec’s anti-reflective coating materials and DURALON brand family of nanocoatings offering easy-to-clean finger-print, and anti-smudge and oil/ water repellency.”
“We are honored to incorporate this knowhow into the SDC organization,” said Michael Fliedner, CEO of Cotec. “Through the partnership with SDC, the expertise of both companies in polymer chemistry and thin film coating technology is being combined. This will strengthen the innovative power of both companies. SDC’s existing distribution channels and application facilities will enable Cotec to strengthen its presence in Asia and the Americas.”