Santa Clara, CA 7/7/17—Agilent Technologies, a provider of analytical lab technologies, has acquired Cobalt Light Systems for £40 million ($57 million at £0.70 = $1) in cash. Cobalt provides Raman spectroscopic systems that can identify chemicals and materials through opaque barriers and surfaces. It provides systems to the pharmaceutical, applied and public safety markets. “Raman spectroscopy is one of the fastest growing segments in spectroscopy,” stated Phil Binns, vice president and general manager of Agilent’s Spectroscopy and Vacuum Solutions Division. “This acquisition gives our customers access to state-of-the-art Raman spectroscopy technology. It also provides Agilent immediate entry into this fast growing segment with a highly competitive, differentiated offering.” Based in the UK, Cobalt has 52 employees. Cobalt CEO Paul Loeffen has been named Agilent’s Director of Raman Spectroscopy, and Cobalt will become Agilent’s global center for Raman spectroscopy.

Agilent participates in other molecular spectroscopy markets: UV/Vis, IR, and florescence and luminescence spectroscopy. Among the other companies providing multiple molecular spectroscopy techniques are Bruker and Thermo Fisher Scientific. Cobalt’s products include benchtop and handheld systems.