Precision measurement company Spectris has entered into an agreement to acquire SciAps for consideration of up to $260 million, comprising an up-front consideration of $200 million, plus a deferred element of up to $60 million. Once the acquisition is complete, the company will be integrated into Malvern Panalytical in Spectris Scientific. According to Spectris, in addition to expanding Malvern Panalytical’s footprint in North America, the acquisition gives the company access to highly complementary technology and expands Malvern’s portfolio beyond laboratory and benchtop equipment into handheld instruments. The acquisition adds laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and provides access to the adjacent handheld x-ray fluorescence market. SciAps is a developer of portable and handheld analytical instruments based on x-ray fluorescence and LIBS technology. Its solutions are used to identify compounds, minerals, and elements in materials in major industries including mining, metal recycling, battery materials, rare earth metals, manufacturing, food, and agriculture.