TDK subsidiary EPCOS acquires majority stake in Relyon Plasma

• EPCOS holds majority share of 50.2%
• Joint development and marketing of innovative cold plasma technologies for the modification of
  surface properties of materials
• Focus on applications in consumer, industrial, medical and automotive electronics

TDK Corporation announces that its subsidiary EPCOS AG (“EPCOS”) has acquired a majority share of 50.2 percent in Relyon Plasma GmbH (“Relyon Plasma”), one of the leading plasma technology companies in Europe. Both parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price. With this move, EPCOS, a leading manufacturer of passive components and systems headquartered in Munich, and Relyon Plasma based in Regensburg, Germany, are intensifying a partnership that began several years ago with joint product development projects.

Relyon Plasma's business is focused mainly on two basic technologies: PDD technology (piezoelectric direct discharge) for the generation of cold plasma enables new kinds of even portable devices which, for example, can be used to neutralize odors and microbes or to prepare surfaces of materials for adhesive processes. In addition, Relyon Plasma offers solutions based on PAA technology (pulsed atmospheric arc), a plasma technology employed primarily for high-power industrial surface treatment applications.

Attractive business opportunities

Interest in plasma technologies is growing in many industries. Demand is especially strong for the production of cold (non-thermal) atmospheric pressure plasma. It can be used to both modify the surface properties of materials in many ways without damaging or destroying them as well as to clean and disinfect surfaces and spaces as well as to reduce odors. A new kind of PDD plasma source developed by Relyon Plasma on the basis of the TDK CeraPlas™ plasma generator can be used for a wide range of applications. Examples include the activation of plastic surfaces for better printing or adhesiveness, the sterilization of medical devices, and the neutralization of odors in laboratory, industrial or household environments.

Benefits to both companies

The acquisition will enable the development departments of TDK and Relyon Plasma and the two companies’ product marketing and sales forces to cooperate even more closely, especially in the field of PDD plasma technology. “Together, we will be able to introduce innovative plasma generation components and systems much more quickly onto the market and ramp up the volume production reliably and more cost-effectively,” says Joachim Zichlarz, Chairman of the Management Board, CEO and CFO of EPCOS and CFO of the TDK Electronic Components Business Company. “With complete plasma systems, too, TDK will in future be able to gain a stronger foothold in the attractive applications of tomorrow – especially in consumer, industrial, medical and automotive electronics. The purchase of a majority stake in Relyon Plasma is a logical continuation of our strategy of leveraging acquisitions and cooperative ventures to broaden our portfolio of technologies and products and accelerate growth.”

Dr. Stefan Nettesheim and Klaus Forster, the joint Managing Directors of Relyon Plasma, are equally upbeat about the majority takeover: “With TDK, a financially strong global partner, we will be able to further improve our penetration of the plasma market. Crucially, we can build on our years of experience, in-depth expertise and, above all, our extensive portfolio of plasma technology patents.”

About TDK Corporation

TDK Corporation is a leading electronics company based in Tokyo, Japan. It was established in 1935 to commercialize ferrite, a key material in electronic and magnetic products. TDK's portfolio includes passive components, such as ceramic, aluminum electrolytic and film capacitors, ferrites and inductors, high-frequency products, and piezo and protection components, as well as sensors and sensor systems and power supplies. These products are marketed under the product brands TDK, EPCOS, InvenSense, Micronas, Tronics and TDK-Lambda. TDK's further main product groups include magnetic application products, energy devices, and flash memory application devices. TDK focuses on demanding markets in the areas of information and communication technology and automotive, industrial and consumer electronics. The company has a network of design and manufacturing locations and sales offices in Asia, Europe, and in North and South America. In fiscal 2017, TDK posted total sales of USD 10.5 billion and employed about 100,000 people worldwide.

About EPCOS

EPCOS, a TDK Group Company, develops, manufactures and markets electronic components and systems, focusing on fast-growing leading-edge technology markets, which include automotive electronics, industrial electronics and consumer electronics as well as information and communications technology. Thanks to the 23,000 employees at some 20 design and production locations and an extensive sales network, the company is globally positioned – beyond the provision of standard products – to work closely with customers and create the right solutions for them. In fiscal 2017 (ending in March) EPCOS posted sales of about EUR 1.5 billion.

About Relyon Plasma GmbH

Relyon Plasma, based in Regensburg, Germany, is an innovative research, development and production company in the field of plasma technology. The company offers a broad spectrum of modular components for surface pretreatment such as activation and ultrafine cleaning, as well as for sterilization, tissue stimulation and odor neutralization in laboratories and the medical sector.

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