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Recently, Agilent Technologies, a supplier serving the life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets, announced the acquisition of Polymer Standards Service GmbH (PSS), a provider of solutions in the field of polymer characterization. PSS specializes in hardware and software solutions used in defining both the makeup and creation of molecular structures and “provides solutions for gel permeation chromatography and size exclusion chromatography used in applications to determine the molecular weight and size distribution of macromolecules.”

“We’re extremely pleased to have the PSS team join Agilent to help us expand our leadership in liquid chromatography and the GPC/SEC market,” said Jacob Thaysen, president, Agilent Life Sciences and Applied Markets Group. “The advanced PSS hardware, software, columns, and reference materials we’re adding to our portfolio will enhance our offerings and ensure we deliver the broad spectrum of LC equipment, GPC/SEC analytics, and software our customers value.”

Agilent, which provides laboratories around the world with instruments, services, consumables, applications, and expertise, contends that its acquisition of PSS will broaden its existing product portfolio and customer offerings in the chemical and biopharmaceutical industries specifically in the analysis of natural and synthetic polymers like nucleic acids, proteins, monoclonal antibodies, polysaccharides, and synthetic plastic.

Additionally, the acquisition will add a key software component to its lineup of GPC/SEC products. The company’s favorable global presence will help expand PSS product notoriety and expertise more widely. Customers in the chemical, biopharmaceutical, along with other key segments will then be able to take advantage of PSS technology on a wider scale.

“This is a very strategic move for PSS and Agilent,” said Thorsten Hofe, managing director at PSS. “Together we can provide our customers a full range of GPC and LC products and extend the reach of PSS products into new, fast-growing markets.”

Currently, neither company has disclosed any financial terms of the acquisition.