Luna Innovations Acquires LIOS Sensing

Optics firm Luna Innovations purchased LIOS Sensing, a division of NKT Photonics, for €20 million ($23 million). In a separate move, the company divested its own Luna Labs division as it shifts its focus to purely fiber-oriented ventures.

The acquisition of LIOS strengthens Luna’s position in distributed fiber optic monitoring for power cable, pipelines, oilfield services, security, highways, railways, and industrial fire detection systems. The transaction includes sales, development, and production — including the main site in Cologne, Germany, and the sales office in Portland, Ore. — and it covers 66 employees.

Luna Innovations will retain a <5% minority equity ownership interest in Luna Labs. The sale of the division was valued at ~$21 million.