Ardian to acquire 90% of Centrotherm; Hartung reinvests - EU push

Ardian has agreed to purchase a controlling interest in centrotherm international AG, acquiring a 90% stake from Solarpark Blautal GmbH, the parties announced today. Under the terms, the selling shareholder will reinvest a portion of the proceeds and remain a meaningful owner alongside Ardian, preserving continuity at the Blaubeuren-based engineering group.

Founded by the Hartung family in 1948, Centrotherm builds high-temperature thermal processing systems used in power-semiconductor production and PV manufacturing. The business has long been positioned as a strategic supplier to global power-device manufacturers, supplying furnace and processing platforms critical to device yield and energy efficiency.

The transaction will be executed by Ardian Semiconductor, the investor platform focused on the chip supply chain established through Ardian’s strategic tie-up with Silian Partners. This deal would be Ardian Semiconductor’s third disclosed transaction after its purchases of IBS and Synergie Cad in 2024, signalling a concerted push into European semiconductor equipment assets.

Ardian said it will work with Centrotherm’s existing leadership — including the management team around Jan von Schuckmann and Dr. Helge Haverkamp — to broaden the firm’s product roadmap and international footprint. The investment plan highlights priorities on R&D, operational scale-up and tighter customer integration to capture growing demand for power-device manufacturing tools.

The deal remains subject to customary closing conditions, notably regulatory approvals. Once completed, the new owners intend to remove Centrotherm from public trading — a planned delisting that Ardian said will allow longer-term industrial investments away from quarter-to-quarter market pressures.

Industry context underlines the rationale. Analysts expect semiconductor-related markets to expand rapidly through the decade, driven by AI, electrification and energy transition. Market estimates project the broader semiconductor ecosystem could reach roughly $1 trillion by 2030, placing high-value equipment suppliers like Centrotherm at the centre of factory upgrades and capacity build-outs.

Ardian framed the transaction as a strategic platform play: deploying capital, industry expertise and the Silicon-industry network of its advisors to accelerate product development and customer reach. The selling party’s decision to reinvest keeps the Hartung family involved, preserving stewardship and technical continuity while enabling fresh resources for growth.

Completion timing will depend on regulatory clearances. If all conditions are met, the combination of private backing and retained shareholder continuity should give Centrotherm both the runway and governance flexibility to pursue international expansion and deeper product innovation.