Bioreactor Firm Sells Stake
In 2006, Christ Water Technology’s Pharma and Life Science division sales rose 4.6% to €49.0 million ($61.3 million) to account for 23% of company sales. Division products include systems for ion exchange, reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration and UV systems. By entering the bioreactor market, the company aims to grow its biotech business. GE Healthcare also acquired a maker of bioreactors, Wave Biotech, this year (see IBO 4/30/07). Last year, zeta and Pall signed a comarketing and distribution agreement.
Aesch, Switzerland 9/7/07—Christ Water Technology, a provider of water technologies, solutions and services for pure and ultrapure water production, drinking water production and wastewater treatment, has acquired 76% of zeta Group. Based near Graz, Austria, with annual sales of approximately €40 million ($50 million), zeta is a supplier of process technologies and operates three business units: Bio and Process Technology, Sterile Plant Construction and Automation. Its products for biopharmaceutical production include bioreactors, agitation and mixing technology, and filtration technology. “With zeta, Christ will become a genuine turnkey supplier and can now supply the entire process chain for the biopharmaceutical industry,” stated Dr. Karl Michael Millauer, CEO of Christ Water Technology. “The engineering expertise, the product competence and the excellent reputation of zeta in combination with the water technology expertise and global production and sales network of Christ open up extensive synergies and new growth opportunities.” The acquisition is expected to close this month and to contribute to Christ Water Technology’s earnings in 2008.
