Union Minière has moved from partial to full ownership of the optical materials company Vertex, a spin-off of the Université de Rennes. The acquisition, including investments in the development of chalcogenide glass and in the new plant where the IR glass will be produced, will cost about Euro 3 million.

Vertex's technology will provide lower-cost precision optical lenses for IR systems, enabling applications such as automotive night vision, commercial vision and surveillance products. Its product range will compete largely in the noncooled IR systems market, expected to increase fivefold over the next five years.

Vertex also will collaborate with Union Minière Electro-Optic Materials, a supplier of germanium-based materials and products.