ams OSRAM sells CMOS Image Sensor business to indie Semiconductor, concentrating its growth investments into AI Photonics and AR smart glasses
“With the divestment of our CMOS Image Sensor (CIS) business to indie, we are further sharpening our profile as the leader in Digital Photonics. While CIS represents a strong technology platform, our strategic priority is to concentrate investments on those AI driven segments that offer the most promising growth prospects and where we clearly differentiate – including AI Photonics and AR smart glasses. At the same time, the expected cash proceeds provide an additional contribution to our accelerated balance sheet deleveraging. Our transformation into the Digital Photonics powerhouse is progressing,” said Aldo Kamper, CEO of ams OSRAM
On 4 February, ams OSRAM announced its strategic refocusing towards “Creating the Leader in Digital Photonics”, outlining its ambition to emerge as a focused semiconductor photonics powerhouse and the pure‑play leader in Digital Photonics.
As part of this strategy and its disciplined capital allocation framework, ams OSRAM continues to review its portfolio to concentrate resources on digital photonics platforms with clear and sustainable market leadership potential, while supporting its accelerated balance sheet deleveraging efforts.
In this context, ams OSRAM signed an agreement to divest its CMOS Image Sensor (CIS) business to indie Semiconductor Inc. for a total consideration of EUR 40 million, consisting of EUR 35 million in cash and a EUR 5 million seller’s note payable after two years.
The transaction concerns entities holding assets guaranteeing the Group’s convertible bonds and senior notes, and therefore, approx. EUR 20 million of the proceeds will be applied to further deleverage ams OSRAM’s balance sheet in accordance with, and subject to, the terms of these instruments. The transaction is structured as a combination of business sale and asset transactions.
The CIS business fits well within indie Semiconductor’s portfolio and strategic direction and will thus be in a good position to further its business.
The transaction supports ams OSRAM’s accelerated deleveraging plan and enables continued focus on core digital photonics growth vectors. Completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected within the next six months.
