Fibercore buys Acreo spin-out Fibertronix

Fibercore Ltd., the UK-based developer of specialty optical fiber, says it has acquired Fibertronix AB, a Swedish maker of specialty fiber for harsh environments.

The Fibertronix product range encompasses specialty fiber and coatings targeted at harsh environment applications within both the oil and gas and medical industries. Originally a spin-out from the Swedish research institute Acreo, Fibertronix also used the photonic technologies developed there (see "Acreo AB launches Fibertronix AB").

"This acquisition is a key part of Fibercore’s long-term strategy to support the oil and gas industry’s increasing demands for specialty optical fiber and harsh-environment cables," Fibercore CEO Dr. Christopher Emslie said. "Combining Fibertronix’s cutting-edge technology in hermetic carbon and high-temperature polyimide coating with Fibercore’s unparalleled experience in the high-volume manufacture of sensing fibers and reputation for exceptional levels of customer support will generate the specialty fiber resource that the industry has been crying-out for."

Fibercore also has its eye on opportunities in medical applications, where Fibertronix's fiber Bragg grating products and autoclavable coatings marry well with Fibercore’s multicore, singlemode, and polarization-maintaining products, the company claims.

As a part of the acquisition, Fibertronix's vice president of business development, Dr. Saeed Rehman, has joined Fibercore as senior vice president of business development.

"I would like to thank Fibertronix for their energy and enthusiasm in making this happen and look forward to a tremendous future together," said Emslie.

For more information on specialty fiber and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer's Guide.