Rigaku buys BaySpec's handheld Raman business

Instrumentation specialist Rigaku Americas Corp has bought a range of handheld Raman spectroscopy devices from BaySpec and has set up a new division to handle the business.

The new unit - Rigaku Raman Technologies - will be responsible for R&D, engineering, production, marketing and distribution of BaySpec's First Guard and Xantus ranges.

The Raman instruments "combine patented optics and proven spectral analysis techniques with state-of-the-art, low-cost telecom-developed optical components, providing our customers with fast, economical, easy to use, handheld chemical identification and composition analysers," said Rigaku in a statement.

The devices have already found applications in areas such as explosives, narcotics and counterfeit medicine detection, as well as quality control and assurance uses in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, food and beverage and agricultural feed sectors.

The new company will be led by President and chief executive Hal Grodzins and will be co-located in San Jose, California and The Woodlands, Texas.