Material Sciences and Bekaert Team for Thin Films

In a move to address the thin film market, Material Sciences Corp. and Bekaert Corp. have formed Innovative Specialty Films L.L.C. (ISF) in a 50:50 joint venture. The company will focus on research and development, manufacturing, and sale of sputtered films.

Headquartered in Raleigh, NC, the company combines the sputter-coating operations of MSC subsidiary MSC Specialty Films Inc. and Bekaert's Innovative Sputtering Technology (IST) subsidiary. Hugo Lievens of IST is general manager, and Gary Phillips of MSC/SFI is VP of sales and marketing.

MSC/SFI produces solar control window films, high reflectance lighting films, and flexible substrates used in a variety of industrial applications. IST specializes in sputtered soft magnetic films for electronic article surveillance and anti-counterfeit protection.