Plasmion joins Shimadzu Corporation
SICRIT technology enters next chapter
Shimadzu Corporation has acquired a 75% stake of the outstanding shares of German startup Plasmion GmbH (headquartered in Augsburg, Bavaria) on March 23, making the company a subsidiary. This acquisition aims to obtain Plasmion’s mass spectrometer (MS) ion source technology SICRIT（Soft Ionization by Chemical Reaction In Transfer)* and related technologies to strengthen Shimadzu’s MS business.
SICRIT is a groundbreaking technology that overcomes the limitations of the widely used APCI (atmospheric pressure chemical ionization) method in liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) and similar applications. Its chief feature is the ability to directly ionize analytes with high sensitivity without complex sample pretreatment, enabling high-sensitivity real-time analysis that was previously difficult. It is already being used in applications such as the search for disease markers in exhaled breath in the healthcare field, monitoring trace hazardous substances in the environment, and non-destructive analysis of aroma components in food and beverages.
Shimadzu and Plasmion have been collaborating since 2019 through exchanges of technical information, lending of Shimadzu products, and development of SICRIT applications. Plasmion’s founders, CEO Dr. Thomas Wolf and CTO Dr. Jan-Christoph Wolf, will continue to hold 25% of the company’s shares and remain involved in management. Shimadzu will develop next-generation mass spectrometers by integrating the SICRIT technology with its MS-related technologies.
* SICRIT is a registered trademark of Plasmion.
Dr. Thomas Wolf, CEO of Plasmion:
„We are truly excited to join forces with Shimadzu – a global leader in analytical instrumentation whose company vision aligns seamlessly with our own. What began as a collaborative relationship in 2019 has grown into something far more profound: a shared commitment to redefining what ion source technology can contribute to the future of mass spectrometry. By combining Plasmion’s innovation with Shimadzu’s global reach and scientific excellence, we see tremendous opportunities to develop instruments that make day-to-day work easier while at the same time pushing the boundaries of what has been possible so far.”
Plasmion’s SICRIT ion source connection module (left) and an ultra-high performance liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer with the ion source attached (right)
Q&A
Q: Will the strengthened collaboration between Plasmion and Shimadzu affect Plasmion’s flexibility to offer and support SICRIT® systems for other vendor platforms?
A: No. Plasmion will continue to support and sell its SICRIT® portfolio independently. This means customers will still have the possibility to use and exploit the SICRIT® source no matter the underlying MS instrument they own.
Q: Will service and technical support change for SICRIT® systems that have already been installed or are currently in use?
A: Plasmion and its sales and service partners will continue to support installed customers, including system maintenance, application training, method development, technical consultation, after-sales service, and communication regarding future upgrades.
Q: Will ongoing projects, tests, tenders, or joint applications be affected?
A: Ongoing research projects, sample testing, tender projects, joint application development, and customer validation activities will continue as usual.
Q: Will Plasmion remain an independent company under its current leadership?
A: Yes, Plasmion will remain an independent company, located in Augsburg, Germany. The management as well as the employees will continue their dedicated efforts to make the technology a success for everybody.
Q: Will Plasmion continue to conduct its business in the ordinary cause and with the same level of dedication towards products and customers?
A: Yes. Plasmion will keep its supply and production processes and continue the production and distribution of SICRIT® products adhering to its high standards of product quality and customer satisfaction.