About Us
EMPOWERING A BETTER WORLD
Our team of researchers and engineers come through the door each day ready to drive materials engineering forward in pursuit of advanced techniques for harnessing the strength and precision of crystalline structures, we develop the materials that are powering the technologies of tomorrow.
For more than 90 years, we have been devoted to a single, defining mission: to engineer diverse, high-quality materials that transform technologies and empower a better world.
Through state-of-the-art R&D facilities, robust industrial-scale production capabilities, and a passionate team of extraordinary individuals, they have consistently delivered on that mission.
This combination of solid science and bold ideas has allowed us to develop an industry-leading portfolio of high-performance, high-reliability products including synthetic sapphire, precision scintillation crystals, X-ray crystals and garnet epitaxy substrates.
We work closely with our clients so they can take advantage of these innovative products and advanced capabilities — offering the support to develop ideas, the expertise to impact industries, and the vision to change the world.
So bring us your revolutionary concepts, your big ideas, and even your impossible challenges — we’ll empower you to find a way forward.
With over 90 years of experience, we have transitioned to the business it is today through several leading worldwide producers, which include:
- 1930’s - Harshaw Chemical Company is the first major manufacturer to develop and produce scintillation crystals
- 1940’s - Quartz & Silice, a subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, begins production of optical crystals and scintillation crystals
- 1969 - Bicron Corporation is established and begins production of NaI(Tl) scintillation ingots
- 1970 - Saphikon is established and manufactures near-net-shape sapphire products grown through its proprietary process
- 1990 - Saint-Gobain acquires Bicron Corporation and Harshaw brand products
- 1992 - Crismatec, the European leader in BGO production, is acquired. Crismatec becomes the new name for the Quartz & Silice entity
- 1995 - Saint-Gobain acquires Nuclear Enterprises
- 2000 - Saphikon is acquired
- 2000 - All of the above businesses and brand names are united under Saint-Gobain Crystals
- December 2022 - Saint-Gobain Crystals is acquired by SK Capital Partners and Edgewater Capital Partners; with focus on external growth in key markets and diversification of material solutions including non-scintillating or poly-crystalline materials.
