Exail’s lithium niobite phase modulator. [Image: Exail]
The industrial tech company Exail, France, which provides systems to civil and defense clients operating in challenging environments, announced on 6 January its acquisition of the France-based laser manufacturer Leukos. While Exail already develops a range of optical technologies, including specialty optical fibers and modulators, the move signals its intention to expand its photonics capabilities. Specifically, Leukos will bring to Exail its expertise in supercontinuum lasers, which emit a broadband spectrum that can span from the infrared to the ultraviolet.
“We are thrilled to welcome Leukos into the Exail family,” said Exail CEO Fabien Napolitano in a press release. “This acquisition perfectly aligns with our photonics strategy by broadening our technological portfolio, accelerating innovation and strengthening our global reach. Together, we will combine our expertise to deliver cutting-edge solutions to our scientific and industrial customers worldwide, while supporting Leukos in scaling its unique technologies to new markets.”
Poised for growth
Exail is itself the product of a 2022 merger led by France’s Gorgé Group to bring together iXblue, France, a solutions provider in navigation, photonics and maritime autonomy, with ECA, a Gorgé subsidiary focused on robotics, automation systems, simulation and industrial processes.
Today, Exail has more than 2,000 employees and a sizeable global footprint, with total revenue exceeding €320 million. The company has partnered with public and private entities in more than 80 countries to improve deep-sea exploration, space travel, unmanned demining systems and other applications designed for extreme conditions.
In March 2024, Exail entered into a €1.1 million (US$1.2 million) contract with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to provide space-grade optical components for the laser-ranging interferometer of the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment-Continuity (GRACE-C) mission.
The company’s current photonics product portfolio includes lithium niobate electro-optic modulators, quantum and metrology instruments, and laser systems for various applications, including large high-power laser infrastructures and atom cooling and manipulation. Exail is one of the top 10 patent filers among mid-sized companies with France’s patent and trademark office (INPI).
What Leukos adds
The company has partnered with public and private entities in more than 80 countries to improve deep-sea exploration, space travel, unmanned demining systems and other applications designed for extreme conditions.
With about 20 employees, Leukos won’t appreciably impact Exail’s headcount, but the acquisition will put Exail in a good position to enter new markets such as biophotonics and microelectronics.
Founded in 2006, Leukos has specialized for several years in developing high-tech products such as pulsed micro-lasers, supercontinuum laser sources and ultrashort lasers in the mid-infrared. It is a startup company born from XLIM, a joint research unit of the University of Limoges and CNRS, France’s national center for scientific research. Leukos generates an annual revenue of approximately €3 million. Despite its small size, Leukos has a profitability ratio similar to Exail’s.
Leukos will retain its product portfolio and branding, operating as a subsidiary of Exail moving forward. “This is a great opportunity for Leukos to become part of Exail,” said Guillaume Huss, CEO of Leukos. “With the added value of Exail’s proven technologies, we see new directions of innovation focused on developing unique products. Joining Exail will also accelerate the commercial development of our laser technologies and laser-based systems.”