The Bühler Technology Group has reached an agreement with EQT III on the 100 percent acquisition of Leybold Optics, providers of production systems for vacuum deposition of functional layers for a wide range of applications.

Leybold's optics unit is a supplier to manufacturers in the optics, automotive, electronics and packaging industries. It holds a strong position in the fields of process engineering and automation, especially sputtering technology. The glass and solar unit supplies coating systems for large-size substrates to the photovoltaics, glass and display industries.

Leybold Optics employs approximately 600 people at its headquarters in Alzenau, Germany, and at other development and production sites in Germany, the United States and China. In 2011, the company generated sales of moer than €200 million. The seller EQT is a group of private equity funds that invests in North and East Europe, Asia and the United States. The selling price was not revealed.

For Bühler, the acquisition marks a step toward the expansion of its advanced materials division in the area of equipment for manufacturing of functional layers. The company said the new acquisition supplements its existing grinding and dispersion business unit (systems for preparing printing inks, electronic materials and fine chemicals) and nanotechnology unit (processing of nanoparticles) in an ideal manner in terms of technology and market access. Leybold Optics will be integrated in the advanced materials division as a new business unit and retain its existing management.