Sustainable Semiconductor Production: Exyte acquires Airgard Inc., a specialist in exhaust gas cleaning systems

– Acquisition of the US-American specialist for wet separators and exhaust gas cleaning systems
– Exyte CEO Büchele: "The acquisition strengthens our position to support customers with technical solutions for their exhaust gas management."
– Further strengthening of Exyte's "Technology & Services" business segment
– Expansion of the product portfolio for accelerated growth in the semiconductor industry

Exyte has acquired Airgard Inc., a US specialist in exhaust gas cleaning technology. Airgard was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Milpitas, California. The company is a market leader in the development and manufacture of "Wet Separators." Airgard's wet separators are used worldwide by numerous well-known companies in the semiconductor industry.

Airgard holds several globally valid patents as well as additional US-specific patents. Further patent applications are currently pending. Through the development of proprietary technological solutions for Point-of-Use process gas cleaning, the company has steadily expanded its market share in the semiconductor industry. Airgard expects revenue in the mid-double-digit millions for the current year. It is anticipated that revenue will continue to grow due to the growth of the semiconductor industry in the future.

Additional market share is gained by Airgard through its proprietary technology, which significantly reduces greenhouse gases and thus helps users to substantially decrease environmentally harmful emissions. "The acquisition of Airgard strengthens Exyte's position to support our customers with technical solutions for their exhaust gas management. This is also relevant considering the increasing requirements arising from Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) regulations and standards," says Dr. Wolfgang Büchele, CEO of Exyte.

Strengthening of Exyte's Technology and Service Business

With the acquisition of Airgard, Exyte advances its strategy of vertical integration. This aims to strengthen the business with mission-critical technologies and services. The Business Area Technology & Services (T&S), founded in 2020, includes business units offering cleanroom technology and installation services. With the acquisition of the US-based Critical Process Systems Group (CPS) in 2021, the portfolio was expanded to include chemical and gas supply systems as well as exhaust management systems for the semiconductor and life sciences industries. "Airgard will expand our technology offerings with Point-of-Use cleaning products. This enhances our technological expertise and will accelerate the growth of the Exyte Business Area Technology & Services. Our customers benefit from our even broader range of technical equipment for high-tech manufacturing facilities," adds Büchele.

Mark Johnsgard, CEO, co-founder, and majority owner of Airgard: "I am pleased to have found a strategic owner for Airgard in Exyte. Both Exyte and Airgard are committed to enabling their customers with innovative solutions to achieve technological progress. Both companies recognize the need to combat the negative impacts of industrial manufacturing processes on the environment. We share the ambition to continuously develop ourselves and support our customers in their technical development. Exyte's excellent market position provides a solid platform to drive Airgard's ongoing growth."

Exyte is currently successfully pursuing its "Pathway to Ten," aiming to reach ten billion euros in revenue by 2027. For this, the company has defined the future agenda "Next Level." Revenue and earnings are to be further improved across all business areas and regions, also through targeted acquisitions. Exyte expects annual revenue of around seven billion euros for 2022. Corresponding to the revenue increase, an increase in adjusted EBITDA to 450 million euros is targeted. Adjusted EBIT is expected to rise to more than 400 million euros.