PARIS — Infrared sensor manufacturer Sofradir will purchase the infrared divisions of its two parent companies, Thales and Sagem, in a move to consolidate France’s infrared technology sector and produce synergies among the different cooled and uncooled detector technologies, the three companies announced Dec. 4.
Paris-based Sofradir is a major provider of infrared (IR) sensors for reconnaissance, civil Earth observation, meteorological and science satellites.
Under the consolidation agreement, Sofradir will assume control of the Indium Antimonide technology division of Sagem. The second acquisition, from the GIE III-V Lab owned by Thales, Alcatel Lucent and France’s CEA nuclear energy commission, will include the Quantum Well-Infrared Photodetector and Indium Gallium Arsenide production capability.
“The acquisition will reinforce Sofradir’s leading position in Europe and pave the way to a global leadership position in the imaging market,” the companies said in a statement announcing the transaction. “Sofradir is currently ranked number one for volume deliveries of IR detectors based on its Mercury Cadmium Telluride technology.”
