Oerlikon Signs Agreement to Acquire INglass HRSflow Business

Oerlikon (Pfäffikon, Switzerland), a provider of surface engineering, polymer processing and additive manufacturing (AM), announced on April 23 that it has signed an agreement to acquire high-precision polymer flow control equipment company INglass S.p.A. (San Polo di Piave, Italy) and its innovative hot runner systems technology operating under its HRSflow business.

According to Oerlikon, the strategic acquisition is a significant step in expanding its current man-made fibers business into the larger polymer processing market. The acquisition also accelerates and enhances existing organic initiatives to diversify and strengthen the company’s core high-precision polymer flow control capabilities, products and services. The completion of the transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected by the second quarter of 2021.

To reflect Oerlikon’s expansion into a larger high-growth market, the Man-made Fibers division will be renamed the Polymer Processing Solutions division. This division will have two business units: Flow Control Solutions and Man-made Fibers Solutions. The business unit Flow Control Solutions will combine the expertise of Oerlikon Barmag’s existing gear metering pumps business line and INglass’ HRSflow operations. The business unit Man-made Fibers Solutions will continue to focus on growing the existing chemical fiber machinery and plant engineering business, offering plant solutions for the production of polyester, polypropylene (PP) and polyamide.

“We firmly believe that within the Oerlikon Group we can further exploit the potential of our hot runner systems technology.”

“Our new Polymer Processing Solutions division and the acquisition of INglass S.p.A. and its HRSflow business are critical components of Oerlikon Group’s growth strategy,” says Dr. Roland Fischer, CEO Oerlikon Group. “We are accelerating our efforts to drive sustainable organic and inorganic growth in all of our businesses. The acquisition enables new synergy opportunities between both Oerlikon divisions in specific end markets such as automotive. With INglass and its HRSflow operations, we acquire leading suppliers in their markets with proven success of their technologies and services.”

INglass S.p.A. is an internationally operating successful company established in 1987. Its product portfolio includes hot runners as well as engineering and consultancy services for the advanced development of polymer processing products. INglass’ HRSflow hot runner systems are applied in multiple industries from automotive, consumer goods and household appliances to packaging, waste management, construction and transportation.

“We firmly believe that within the Oerlikon Group we can further exploit the potential of our hot runner systems technology and, when combined with the capabilities of Oerlikon Barmag gear metering pumps and their melt distribution engineering competence, will position our business as one of the leading precision flow control specialists for multiple applications in a global growth market,” says Antonio Bortuzzo, CEO of INglass S.p.A.

Following the integration with Oerlikon Barmag’s gear metering pumps business of about 200 employees in Remscheid, Germany, the new Flow Control Solutions business unit will have about 1,200 employees.

"We see great potential for growth in our new Flow Control Solutions business unit,” adds Georg Stausberg, Polymer Processing Solutions division CEO and member of the Executive Committee of the Oerlikon Group. “The businesses form the two core growth pillars and benefit from each other in global market development, in modern and digitized production, and in customer services. We also see potential synergies in R&D by combining existing know-how in the field of polymer processing. New technological solutions between hot runner systems and gear metering pumps are conceivable. We also anticipate collaborating more closely with the Oerlikon Surface Solutions division, particularly in future mobility applications and functional polymer component solutions for the automotive industry. All in all, we will offer our customers innovative and attractive solutions in the field of polymer processing and high precision flow control components.”

Oerlikon notes that combining the division’s plant engineering and process know-how with expertise on high-precision flow control components technologies will have a significant impact on product quality in nearly all applications, which opens up a platform for further organic and inorganic growth. “We are closely observing the megatrends in the markets and developing new business models to match. In the area of sustainability, covering topics such as circular economy, the recycling of materials using mechanical and chemical recycling solutions, as well as the handling of new, more environmentally friendly and biodegradable materials, we are on the verge of a breakthrough. We are ready to actively participate in these growth areas,” says Stausberg.

He adds that, in realigning the Polymer Processing Solutions division, Oerlikon will continue to apply its successful recipe of a lean organizational structure to efficiently manage the business. This means clear processes, short decision-making paths and competent teams in a diverse and multicultural organization in which everyone can contribute to create customer value.”