The Acquisition of Beneq

As part of our ongoing research into Chinese acquisitions in Europe, Datenna decided to highlight and research remarkable cases. This case considers the acquisition of the Finnish Company Beneq.

  • In 2018, the Finnish firm Beneq got acquired by the Chinese firm SRI Intellectual
  • Beneq is internationally known as the renowned supplier of ALD equipment for semiconductors and other related products
  • SRI Intellectual focuses on high-technology solutions and is mostly active in the Chinese market
  • SRI Intellectual has invested about 20 million euros in Beneq ever since the acquisition and aims to extend its capacities and position in the market
  • One of the shareholders of SRI Intellectual is the Guohua Military-Civilian Integration Industry Development Fund
  • The other shareholder, the CRRC Qingdao Sifang Vehicle Research Institute Co. Ltd., is owned by CRRC Corporation Limited, an institute directed by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.
  • Beneq’s technological expertise plays into the Chinese government’s plans to become a leader in advanced technologies, with possible implications for the use or transfer of Beneq’s technological knowledge

Beneq has now been bought by SRI Intellectual, a high-tech Chinese company focusing on high-tech solutions and rail vehicle systems.

The Acquisition

 

On September 28, 2018, Beneq was acquired by the Chinese company, Qingdao Sifang SRI Intellectual Technology Co. Ltd. (SRI Intellectual). Beneq, a Finnish company founded in 2005, is a renowned provider of thin film Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) equipment and R&D for the semiconductor industry, as well as the number one producer of transparent electroluminescent (EL) displays globally. The new owner, SRI Intellectual, is a high-end supplier of intelligent technology solutions. The financial details of the sale remained undisclosed.

 

Beneq’s key technologies

 

Beneq is an established company in the field of Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) equipment and R&D. ALD is a thin film deposition or coating technique, applied in next-generation technology manufacturing such as semiconductors, 5G, and the Internet of Things. ALD is essential in chip miniaturisation and the advancement of nanotechnology, both of which underpin the latest innovations shaping our digital age. Beneq also produces some of the world’s most transparent and durable electroluminescent (EL) displays, with growing applications across a wide spectrum of industries, from civilian and military vehicles to optical devices.

 

The Chinese Buyer

 

The acquirer, SRI Intellectual focuses on the R&D and production of semiconductor process equipment and actively explores strategic emerging industries with the aim of fostering growth and future development. Since 2018, SRI Intellectual has channeled over 20 million euros into Beneq, extending its capacities for semiconductor-related productions, including a 2+ million euros investment in new clean room facilities that aim to support the company’s rapid development.

SRI Intellectual is resolutely committed to nurturing Beneq’s growth, establishing it as a dominant player in the market. The acquisition serves as a strategic gateway for SRI Intellectual to expand its horizons beyond China’s borders, creating a base for the internationalisation of the firm.

SRI Intellectual’s driving forces

SRI Intellectual displays relevant connections to China’s technology industry. This is exemplified through one of its primary indirect shareholders, the Guohua Military-Civilian Integration Industry Development Fund. Established in 2016, this government-backed investment fund plays a pivotal role in the Chinese government’s strategy of directing more investments into the defence sector while simultaneously supporting other emerging industries. It constitutes a fundamental element of China’s Military-Civil Fusion Strategy, which strives to ensure that new innovations concurrently drive economic and military progress. As part of this overarching strategy, the Chinese government frequently engages in the acquisition of high-tech foreign firms to glean novel technological insights. Acquisitions with a significant military dimension naturally raise concerns about European security and the post-acquisition utilisation of Beneq’s technologies.

The other major shareholder, CRRC Sifang Institute Co., Ltd., is entirely owned by CRRC Corporation Limited, which, in turn, is predominantly owned by the CRRC Group—an entity overseen by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council. This structure implies that China’s State Council has a substantial influence on SRI Intellectual, and by extension, Beneq.

Under the Made in China 2025 plan, a pivotal objective of China’s national strategy is self-sufficiency in essential technologies as well as becoming a global hub for innovation and high-tech development. The acquisition of foreign companies to acquire technological knowledge and production capacity serves as a key instrument in the execution of this strategy. Semiconductors are an essential component of China’s quest for self-sufficiency in advanced technologies, making the acquisition of Beneq a key example of China’s pursuit of critical technology.