Loop Technology's Partner CleanLASER Now Part Of IPG Photonics Group

Loop Technology is the partner and official UK distributor for cleanLASER, who develop and manufacture a wide range of both handheld and laser cleaning systems for cleaning applications in industries such as aerospace, automotive, medical and food industries. CleanLASER was recently acquired by IPG Photonics Corporation, which brings together the specialists in laser cleaning with the global leader in fiber laser technology, whose equipment and components are used across an enormous range of industrial applications.

CleanLASER was founded in 1997 by Edwin Büchter and Winfried Barkhausen, who both previously worked at the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT) in Aachen, Germany. IPG Photonics was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in Massachusetts, USA. They are the global leader in high-performance fiber lasers and supply laser technology for a wide range of industrial applications beyond laser cleaning, including laser welding and cutting, laser marking, laser drilling, laser additive manufacturing, laser brazing and more.

The cleanLASER product range starts with small portable systems with an average laser power of 30 to 300 watts, increasing to the mid-power range of 150 to 600 watts of laser power. cleanLASER high power laser cleaning systems reach up to 1600 watts average power and are used for applications such as cleaning large areas of rust and paint including safely removing lead-based paints and materials containing asbestos. An additional use for the high-power laser cleaning systems is for decontamination and decommissioning in the nuclear industry.

Commenting on the acquisition, Marc Gitin, CEO of IPG Photonics, stated: “This is a pivotal moment for our combined teams as we focus on driving the growth of laser cleaning systems worldwide. With our resources and shared commitment, we are well prepared to meet rising demand and lead the industry forward.” He added: “Cleaning is an important opportunity because traditional cleaning applications often rely on high levels of environmentally unfriendly consumables, such as acids and abrasives that must be disposed of.”

As the official distributor for cleanLASER systems in the United Kingdom, Loop Technology is excited by the merging of these two world-leading laser brands and how the unification will benefit customers.

Gary Ottley, Business Development Manager at Loop Technology and specialist in laser cleaning commented on the deal: “This presents a great opportunity for cleanLASER. Having the might of IPG Photonics behind the development of new laser cleaning products will enhance the pioneering technology they already offer and have delivered to customers around the world, in a multitude of industries for different applications. Innovative new products will soon be made available as manual and fully automated systems. Watch this space!”

This groundbreaking acquisition is truly exciting for the laser industry, as demand for laser cleaning products within manufacturing environments continues to grow at pace.