Sofradir acquires IR technologies, looks for market leadership
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Sofradir is to acquire infrared detector technology from Sagem and Thales, along with their manufacturing facilities. The move is said to reinforce Sofradir's position as a leading European IR company and to pave the way for it to take a global leadership position in the imaging market.
Under the agreement, Sagem will transfer its indium antimonide technology, while GIE III-V lab – a group in which Thales is a partner – will contribute its quantum wellinfrared photodetector and indium gallium arsenide technologies.
By consolidating these technologies, Sofradir – currently the leading volume supplier of IR detectors based on mercury cadmium telluride technology – believes it will be one of a few companies with expertise in cooled and uncooled IR detection.
"The technologies from Sagem and III-V Lab enable Sofradir to offer a complete portfolio of infrared technologies," said Philippe Bensussan, chairman and CEO of Sofradir. "With the new technologies, Sofradir and its subsidiary ULIS will be able to select the technology best adapted to our clients' applications."
IR detectors feature in military, space, commercial and scientific applications, including thermal imagers, missile seekers, surveillance systems, targeting systems and observation satellites.