GHR and Homburger: ZF acquires Nitto Denko Corporation’s technology

ZF Friedrichshafen, a global technology company in powertrain and suspension engineering as well as active and passive safety technology, enters into an asset deal for the acquisition of the specialized adhesive films technology for side curtain airbags from Nitto Denko Corporation and Nitto Switzerland. 

Nitto Denko Corporation is engaged in the manufacture and sale of adhesives, optical films, semiconductors, electronic devices and consumer products.  

With the transaction, ZF will own Nitto’s relevant patents and patent applications as well as other assets for the development and production of adhesive multilayer films for side curtain airbags used in the automotive industry. 

GHR Rechtsanwälte acted for ZF Friedrichshafen in the acquisition. GHR team was led by partner Marc Grüninger (corporate/m&a, pictured) and consisted of partner Markus Brülhart (corporate/m&a), partner Rolf Hartmann (employment), partner Gerhard Roth (tax), senior associates Stephan Hofer and Patrizia Lorenzi as well as associate Jil Suter and junior associate Michelle Wolf. 

Homburger acted as legal counsel to Nitto. The Homburger team included partner Andreas Müller (pictured left), associates Anna Peter, Sarah Chevalley, Marc Hanslin and junior associate Luca Ellenberger (all corporate / m&a), as well as partner Richard Stäuber (competition), counsel Peter Müller (tax) and associate Jeremy Reichlin (employment and executive compensation).