Strategic acquisition of technology and IP positions company to accelerate growth in key industries.
Rolla, Missouri, February 3, 2023 — Mo-Sci, a leading provider of advanced high-tech glass development and manufacturing, announced it has acquired the assets of 3M’s Advanced Materials business (previously known as 3M Ceradyne), which was based in Seattle, Washington. The acquisition included over 350 pieces of specialized equipment and all related intellectual property. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Founded in 1985, Mo-Sci has become one of the industry’s leading developers and manufacturers of highly-specialized glasses and related products. The company’s expertise encompasses developing glasses for healthcare; glasses for high-temperature sealing; metal oxide varistors; glasses for multi-layer ceramic capacitors; and specialty glasses for thick film conductive paste.
The technology, IP, and asset acquisition significantly expand Mo-Sci’s capabilities and manufacturing capacity for customers in its five core markets, which include:
- Healthcare – specialty and bioactive glasses for bone and wound care applications, as well as hemostatic devices
- Energy – engineered proppants for oil fracking, hydrogen storage via porous glass shells and nuclear waste vitrification
- Industrial – precision glass microspheres, sealing glasses and frit powders, bond line spacers and silane coatings
- Automotive – ultra strong and lightweight transparent glass/polymer composites for windows
- Defense – Light sensor applications and non-toxic NVIS night vision technologies
According to Mo-Sci President Joe Bales, customers were the driving force behind the acquisition. He said, “We aggressively pursued this opportunity because 3M’s Advanced Materials business was a highly respected, major player in our industry. The new equipment will enable Mo-Sci to produce a variety of new products and serve a wider customer base, including previous 3M and Ceradyne customers. The addition of their equipment, technologies, and IP is going to mean new glass melting capabilities, increased manufacturing capacity, and shorter lead times.”
According to Dr. Steven Jung, Chief Technology Officer of Mo-Sci, the ability to rapidly accelerate innovation was a major consideration for the acquisition. “Mo-Sci has always prided ourselves on tackling our customers’ most complex specialty glass challenges. Adding 3M’s Advanced Materials IP to our existing R&D portfolio will serve as a catalyst to help move their development projects from the research lab into real-world production.” Jung also noted that Mo-Sci is currently working with prior customers on validation projects, adding, “as we continue to integrate the technology and equipment into our company, we expect to add even more of these projects.”
Mo-Sci expects all of the acquired equipment and technology will be fully operational at its Rolla, Missouri headquarters by the 4th quarter of 2023. New employees in operations are being onboarded as part of the manufacturing expansion.