Optic Balzers

In 1946, in the small principality of Liechtenstein, an unlikely partnership was formed at the suggestion of the reigning Prince Franz Josef II. Professor Max Auwärter, with the backing of industrialist Emil G. Bührle, founded a company to explore the nascent field of vacuum thin-film technology. This venture, initially named Gerätebauanstalt Balzers and later known as Optics Balzers, aimed to make this highly specialized technology viable for industrial use. Since the necessary equipment wasn't commercially available, they had to build it themselves, developing proprietary processes along the way. The company carved out a niche by creating optical coatings for a variety of applications, from anti-reflection coatings for camera lenses to specialized optical filters. For decades, Optics Balzers grew as a privately held, family-owned business, establishing itself as a key player in the European photonics industry with a reputation for quality. A significant chapter in the company's journey began in 2020. Recognizing the need for a global footprint to accelerate growth, the shareholders decided to sell the company. Materion, a US-based advanced materials supplier, acquired Optics Balzers for approximately $160 million in an all-cash transaction. The deal was a strategic move to combine Materion's strength in the US with Optics Balzers' established market position in Europe and a growing presence in Asia. This merger created a global leader in optical thin-film solutions, positioning the combined entity to better serve high-growth markets like life sciences, automotive, and consumer electronics.