Merck buys Israeli quantum materials firm Qlight Nanotech

Germany-based Merck has acquired 100 percent stake in Qlight Nanotech Ltd, the Jerusalem (Israel) based developer of materials and applications based on semiconductor nanocrystals, for an undisclosed amount. Qlight Nanotech is a spin-off of Yissum, the technology transfer company of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
 
“The acquisition of Qlight Nanotech perfectly fits into our innovation strategy. We have set the basic platforms for growth in our three business sectors to grow organically and driven by innovation. Innovations are our lifeblood,” said Karl-Ludwig Kley, CEO and chairman of the Executive Board of Merck.
 
By exploiting new technologies, Merck aims to strengthen its leadership in liquid crystal display materials and growing presence in OLED materials. Qlight Nanotech’s novel nanocrystals help to improve colour impression and energy efficiency of modern displays.
 
Qlight Nanotech was founded in 2009 and since the beginning worked closely with Merck in a joint research program supported by the Israeli office of the chief scientist of the Israeli ministry of economy as part of its Multinational Company Cooperation Program. Merck has invested into Qlight Nanotech in two steps in 2012 and 2013 already before. Qlight Nanotech will remain the quantum materials research hub for the performance materials business sector of Merck.
 
The company presented its innovative nanocrystals display technology and the application potential for the flat panel display industry at the SID (Society for Information Display) Display Week in San Jose (California, USA) earlier in June 2015.