Global New Material International (GNMI), a leading company in the Chinese pearlescent pigment industry, has acquired a business unit of Germany's Merck KGaA to expand its business and secure new growth engines.

GNMI announced on the 4th that it has officially completed the acquisition of Merck's Surface Solutions business unit and launched under a new brand called 'Susonity'.

The transaction was completed on July 31, 2025, and the total acquisition price was €665 million (approximately KRW 1 trillion).

Headquartered in Gernsheim, Germany, Susoniti has been reborn as a global leader in the premium effect pigments and active ingredients markets for automotive, cosmetics, and industrial applications.

Through this acquisition, GNMI and Susunity will combine their scientific innovation capabilities and strengthen their portfolio of safer and more sustainable product solutions.

Ertian Su, Chairman of Susoniti and GNMI, said, “Our two companies are perfect partners in terms of technology, products, and geographical presence. “We will grow together by providing sustainable and reliable solutions in a rapidly changing market,” he said.

He added, “As we expand our global presence, we plan to provide a diverse range of innovative pigment solutions, from premium to high-tech.”

“Based on the trust we have with our Korean customers and partners, we will create value in a broader market and shape future trends together through Sosonity’s advanced technological capabilities and product portfolio,” said Ahn Chang-kyu, CEO of Sosonity Korea.

Susoniti has approximately 1,100 employees worldwide, of which more than 600 are based in Germany.

Our main production bases are located in Germany, Japan, and the United States, and we plan to establish headquarters in Europe, North America, and Asia to build a robust global production and sales network.