Investments

Nanogate focuses on strategic investments or, in some cases, joint ventures. This enables us to expand our technological competence and, together with partners, open up access to new sectors or applications.

GfO Gesellschaft für Oberflächentechnik AG,
Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany Nanogate announced in August 2010 to acquire a majority shareholding in GfO Gesellschaft für Oberflächentechnik AG. The technology company GfO specialises in technical and optical surface enhancement as well as using an inkjet technology unique worldwide to apply coatings. GfO was established in 1977 as a subsidiary of Degussa AG in Schwäbisch Gmünd and was acquired by its current management in 1993. The technology company with some 150 employees enhances surfaces with new characteristics on behalf of industrial clients. This can involve giving surfaces a highly efficient, conductive shield against electromagnetic disturbances or enabling them to withstand scratches and protecting them from environmental influences, all thanks to GfO technology. GfO has special expertise in enhancing valuable and complex three-dimensional objects to a high optical standard. To do so the company applies specially developed and patented manufacturing processes, including an inkjet technology that is unique worldwide which enables coatings to be carried out selectively without the use of individualised templates. GfO specialises in coatings for plastics and metals. GfO is for example the European market leader in high-performance antifog coating systems. Applications for such systems include uses in Xenon and LED headlight systems for motorcars. GfO’s proprietary technology was, for instance, recently used to develop the first radio-controlled key in high-glossy black with a scratch resistant surface. The customer base consists of companies in the communications, automation, automotive, aerospace, medical devices, HVAC, decoration and jewellery, and white goods industries.

Eurogard B.V., Geldrop (Netherlands) Eurogard specialises in enhancing surfaces on two-dimensional components and is the global market leader in the lucrative specialist sector of transparent plastics. Based in Geldrop (Netherlands), the company was established in 1992 as a surfaces centre for the global GE Plastics group after it began operating in this segment in the 1980s. Most recently, the firm was owned by Vokes-Air Holding AB. In the 2010 financial year, Eurogard’s sales were in the high single-digit millions and its EBITDA margin was in double figures. The company is free from debt and generates a positive free cash flow. The firm primarily focuses on supplying the buildings/interiors, aviation and automotive/mechanical engineering sectors. Its most important clients include the SABIC Group (formerly GE Plastics, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of plastics) and the Hörmann Group. Eurogard coatings can be used on aircraft windows, utility vehicles, building elements and ski goggles, for example. Eurogard currently has some 30 employees and operates two production lines – a thermal cure coating facility and a UV cure coating facility – as well as a test plant. The facilities are fully automated, can each coat one or two sides, and apply multiple enhancements in a single production run.

Nanogate Industrial Solutions GmbH, Göttelborn, Germany Since 2004 Nanogate Industrial Solutions GmbH (formerly Nanogate Advanced Materials GmbH) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nanogate AG and bundles the core expertise in the area of industrial high-performance surfaces. The company focuses on innovative material systems and high-quality optical surfaces for the application areas buildings/interiors and automotive/mechanical engineering.

Nanogate Textile & Care Systems GmbH
Göttelborn, Germany Nanogate Textile & Care Systems GmbH (formerly FNP GmbH and founded in 2008) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nanogate AG that pools the core competences in the growing market for functional textiles and care products. One of the responsibilities of Nanogate Textile & Care Systems GmbH is the strategic partnership with GEA Air Treatment GmbH for refinement systems in filter media. In the field of care products for sporting and leisure activities, the company has a well-established and successful range of products that is constantly being expanded with new and innovative product concepts.