ORAFOL is acquiring a stake in the Belgian speciality film manufacturer Group Michiels Advanced Materials (Group M.A.M.) with the aim of taking over 100% of the company in the coming years.
The technology focus of Group M.A.M. is on the sputtering of metals. This technology can be used to equip films with spectrally selective properties. Films with these properties have been developed for building and automotive glazing as well as for greenhouses in order to minimise the heat input indoors. In buildings or vehicles equipped with these solar control films, less energy is required for cooling by air conditioning systems. Energy requirements, and therefore also CO2 emissions, can be significantly reduced with these films.
Luc Michiels, CEO of Group M.A.M. said, ‘The unique combined product properties for solar heat reduction in summer and thermal insulation in winter make our speciality films high-performance solutions for energy management and our company a close partner for architects, contractors and building owners. Together with ORAFOL, we are creating the opportunity to offer our highly developed technology to a global market.’
ORAFOL is integrating this future technology into the company by acquiring a stake in Group M.A.M. Following the acquisition of the American start-up company NUPRO LLC in 2021, this investment marks another milestone for ORAFOL as a developer and manufacturer of innovative protective films.
Dr Holger Loclair, Chairman and CEO ORAFOL Group said, ‘With this acquisition, we are laying the next cornerstone for the sustainable development of ORAFOL in Oranienburg and worldwide. At the same time, this step underlines our claim as a European high-tech company to be a leader in the future markets of our industry. Against the backdrop of climate change, the consistent use of highly developed spectrally selective films will contribute to efficiently reducing CO2 emissions in various sectors.’
With the construction of Hall 10 at its headquarters in Oranienburg, the company has laid the foundations for processing these special films from Q2/2025. The aim is to achieve the widest possible coating widths, maximum precision of the layers and very high requirements for room cleanliness during production.
As a first step, ORAFOL is offering the new solar protection films for buildings and vehicles, both for indoor and outdoor use. In a second step, the portfolio will be expanded to include solutions for greenhouses. Depending on the customer‘s requirements, the films are either barely visible or dark tinted.
Like ORAFOL, Group Michiels Advanced Materials is a family business that traditionally places a strong focus on technology and quality. Above and beyond the common business objective, this connects the partners and is the basis for the trusting cooperation that is now starting.
ORAFOL SOUTH AFRICA
+27 10 026 3532
orafol.sa@orafol.co.za
www.orafol.com
