Strategic acquisition expands mass spectrometry capabilities

Shimadzu Corporation has acquired a 75% stake in German analytical technology company Plasmion GmbH, in a move aimed at strengthening its mass spectrometry capabilities.

Plasmion’s SICRIT® (Soft Ionization by Chemical Reaction in Transfer) technology enables direct ionisation of analytes at atmospheric pressure, supporting high-sensitivity analysis with minimal sample preparation. The approach offers an alternative to conventional ionisation methods used in LC–MS workflows.

The technology is already being used across a range of applications, including volatile compound analysis in breath research, environmental monitoring of trace substances, and the detection of aroma profiles in food and beverage samples.

Shimadzu has worked with Plasmion since 2019 on joint development activities and application studies. Following the acquisition, the companies plan to further integrate SICRIT® technology into next-generation mass spectrometry systems.

Plasmion will continue to be led by its founders, CEO Dr Thomas Wolf and CTO Dr Jan-Christoph Wolf, who remain involved in the business following the deal.

Dr Thomas Wolf said the partnership marked an important step for the technology’s development: “What began as a collaborative relationship has evolved into a shared vision for what ion source technology can contribute to the future of mass spectrometry. By combining our innovation with Shimadzu’s scientific and global reach, we see strong potential to advance both performance and usability in analytical systems.”

The acquisition reflects continued consolidation in the analytical instrumentation sector, as manufacturers focus on extending the capabilities of mass spectrometry towards faster, more direct and lower-preparation analysis techniques.

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