Endress+Hauser strengthens liquid analysis portfolio by acquiring SOPAT, adding advanced inline particle measurement technologies to enhance real-time industrial process insights.
Endress+Hauser has taken another significant step in strengthening its process analysis capabilities by acquiring SOPAT, a Germany-based specialist in inline particle analysis and process measurement technologies. The acquisition further broadens Endress+Hauser’s portfolio of measurement instruments, digital solutions, and analytical services, reinforcing its position as a global leader in industrial process analytics. As part of the transaction, SOPAT’s existing workforce in Berlin and Chemnitz will be retained, ensuring continuity of expertise and ongoing innovation.
Following the acquisition, SOPAT and its subsidiary Parsum will be integrated into Endress+Hauser’s liquid analysis product center, headquartered in Gerlingen, Germany. According to Dr. Thomas Buer, Managing Director of Endress+Hauser Liquid Analysis, SOPAT’s advanced particle characterization systems represent a strategically important addition to the company’s offering. These technologies complement Endress+Hauser’s existing solutions and align closely with the needs of its core target industries, where real-time, precise process insights are increasingly critical.
Founded in Berlin in 2012 by Jörn Emmerich and Dr. Sebastian Maaß, SOPAT has built a strong reputation for its smart, image-based inline measurement systems. In 2022, the company expanded its technological footprint by acquiring Parsum, a Chemnitz-based manufacturer of inline particle size analysis systems established in 1997. Together, SOPAT and Parsum employ around 30 people and bring decades of combined experience in particle analysis, particularly in demanding industrial environments.
SOPAT’s technology is based on photo-optical, image-driven inline measurement methods that enable real-time analysis of particles, droplets, and bubbles directly within running processes. By eliminating the need for sampling or dilution, these systems allow manufacturers to monitor processes with high precision, respond more quickly to deviations, and consistently maintain high product quality. This capability is especially valuable in industries where process stability and reproducibility are essential.
Parsum’s solutions, meanwhile, focus on laser-based particle analysis. Using a laser beam in combination with fiber-optic spatial filtering, Parsum probes measure particle size distributions and particle velocities, with particular strengths in applications involving solids, powders, and granulates. These technologies are widely used in sectors such as life sciences, food and beverage, and mining, minerals, and metals, where particle characteristics play a decisive role in product performance and regulatory compliance.
Dr. Buer emphasized that the acquisition is a logical continuation of Endress+Hauser’s long-term strategy to expand its analysis portfolio. By integrating SOPAT’s inline particle measurement technologies, the company aims to support customers more comprehensively across the entire value chain, from laboratory research through to full- scale production. The result is improved process transparency, higher efficiency, and more reliable outcomes.
From SOPAT’s perspective, joining the Endress+Hauser Group opens new opportunities to scale innovation. Co-founder Jörn Emmerich highlighted that the combination of scientific precision and industrial practicality is a shared strength between the two companies. Being part of a global organization like Endress+Hauser will allow SOPAT’s innovations to be industrialized more rapidly, contributing to more stable and resource-efficient processes worldwide.
Dr. Sebastian Maaß added that direct, accurate data from live production processes is becoming increasingly important as companies face rising energy and raw material costs. Reliable inline measurements enable customers to optimize processes sustainably and make informed decisions in real time.
The acquisition took effect on 1 January 2026, although both parties have agreed not to disclose financial details. SOPAT’s co-founders will remain actively involved in the company’s management, ensuring continuity and a strong innovation culture. The move further cements Endress+Hauser Liquid Analysis’s role as a global innovator, supported by more than 1,300 employees across Europe, the Americas, and Asia, delivering advanced solutions for safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible process operations.
