International technology group ANDRITZ acquired a 50.1% stake in British laser company Powerlase Photonics Ltd. Powerlase specializes in the manufacture of picosecond and nanosecond high-energy, diode-pumped, solid-state lasers. With headquarters in Crawley, U.K., and a subsidiary in Orlando, the company supplies international customers from the photovoltaic, microelectronics, automotive and aerospace industries. This acquisition complements the product portfolio of ANDRITZ’s Metals business. ANDRITZ Soutec, based in Switzerland, has been using high-energy lasers from Powerlase in its ablation systems for removing coatings from metal (e.g., in the production of tailored welded blanks in the automotive industry).