Pittsburgh-based Thar Instruments has acquired its leading competitor, Berger SFC, to move ahead as the world leader of supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) systems, doubling its company size from 40 to 80 employees with the promise of more hiring world-wide up to 30 percent in the coming year.
Thar's SFC technology enables research chemists at pharmaceutical companies to purify new chemical entities through the harnessing of one of nature's most common elements, carbon dioxide. Thar's instruments replace the traditional technique of solvent-based processing (liquid chromatography), which results in thousands of barrels of toxic waste everyday. The technology results in 80 to 90 percent less toxic waste and is safe, cost effective, and better for the environment.
“We are the only green analytical and purification instrument company in the world,” touts Todd Palcic, vice president of Thar Instruments. “Since the late 1990s we’ve been taking off until we’ve reached a critical mass where we can make an impact in the chemistry world. Now we are getting ready to target other companies.”
Thar's largest expansion has been in Europe. Founded in 1990 by Dr. Lalit Chordia, who received his doctorate at CMU, Thar's largest clients include Amgen, Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline.
Thar recently hired eight new people in its O'Hara Township headquarters in the fields of chemistry, engineering, production and administration. The 45 acquired employees at Berger SFC, a division of Mettler Toledo, will be retained in their current locations.
Writer: Deb Smit
Source: Todd Palcic, Thar Instruments