Sensirion strengthens its portfolio by acquiring micro gas-analyser specialist Qmicro

Sensirion has completed the acquisition of Qmicro, an innovative OEM supplier of miniaturised gas-analysis technologies. Qmicro, based in Enschede, The Netherlands, develops, manufactures, and supplies micro gas analysers based on microelectromechanical (MEMS) gas chromatography (GC) technology. Qmicro’s most important application areas include industrial process control as well as natural and biogas characterisation.

With this acquisition, Sensirion expands its gas sensing portfolio from components and modules to stand-alone micro gas analysers for industrial applications. Many industrial applications require high selectivity and accuracy of gas composition measurements. Micro gas-chromatography technology allows to very selectively and accurately determine the constituents of gas mixtures, enabling Sensirion to expand its gas-sensing offering for its customers from components and modules aimed at high-volume applications to micro gas analysers addressing high-end applications.

Qmicro was founded in 2013, has sixteen employees, and offers very compact, easy-to-use micro gas analysers based on its MEMS-GC technology. Combined with Sensirion’s expertise in MEMS, industrialisation, and the development of highly cost-effective sensor solutions even further miniaturisation and integration becomes possible, benefiting both Qmicro’s and Sensirion’s customers.

Core applications of Qmicro’s analysers include the determination of the calorific value of natural gas in distribution networks, monitoring the composition of gas mixtures used in industrial processes, and in the future environmental monitoring. Qmicro’s and Sensirion’s end markets partially overlap and partially complement each other. The acquisition allows Sensirion to leverage its global marketing and sales network.

Mark Kok, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Qmicro comments: “We are excited to join forces with Sensirion, which will enable us to more efficiently scale-up our processes and accelerate growth.”

“Sensirion very cordially welcomes all Qmicro employees and looks forward to further developing the Enschede location as a competence centre for micro gas analysers,” says Marc von Waldkirch, CEO of Sensirion.