A million pound industrial collaboration has been announced between a Scottish university spin-out company and major Swiss-based chemical company Ciba.

Under the three year collaboration Ciba Specialty Chemicals will manufacture the materials developed by Helia Photonics Ltd, including novel optical interference and diffractive effects which will be used in future generation coatings. As part of the agreement, Ciba will now act as exclusive worldwide agent for Helia’s products which include world-leading optical coatings of semiconductor optoelectronic devices. The deal will provide Helia, which spun out from Heriot-Watt in 2002, with a major international sales platform, allowing them to compete with top international companies in the field.

Dr Gerald Buller founder and Director of Helia, said, “We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with industry leader Ciba Specialty Chemicals. This agreement will last a minimum of three years and gives our company a platform on which to further develop and take to market our innovative prototype coating materials. The opportunity to work with the complementary skills of the Ciba scientists and engineers, and the international reach of Ciba, will accelerate technical progress and provide the most efficient route for full commercial exploitation.”

Professor John Simmons, Vice-Principal of Heriot-Watt University, said, “It’s always good to see one of our spin-out companies growing and expanding its market share. This collaboration offers benefits to both parties, and will allow international clients access to the manufacturing opportunities offered by Helix’s innovative coatings.”

Since spinning out from Heriot-Watt, Helia has also been supported by Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian through its account management programme.

Neil Francis, Deputy Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian, added: “ has particular strengths in Micro and Optoelectronics and the sector holds significant opportunities for Scotland to become a world leader. This deal will not only create new opportunities for Helia to target customers across the world and enter new international markets, but it will also help to raise awareness of the world-class research and design capabilities available in Scotland’s optoelectronics sector.”