Hydro has acquired the people, products and portfolio of the Toulouse-based company, which delivers extruded aluminium shading devices. This includes the technology and patents that had been owned by Solarys, and increases Hydro's catalog of energy-saving aluminium building systems.

Solarys has enjoyed growth in sales turnover every year since 2005, with pre-machined kits representing 95 percent of volume. All the company's sales have been internet-based.

"We believe our systems are part of the solution for the building and construction industry, in the work to save energy and reduce carbon emissions," says Lars H. Ringvold, who is responsible for Hydro’s aluminium building systems operations.

"Solarys is a small company, with five employees, but its technical know-how fits into and complements our existing activities. This makes sense, strategically. We will be able to offer customers a broader range of energy-saving products."

Hydro's first building-integrated photovoltaic product launch will be within its "brise soleil" line of external shading devices. The Solarys team is participating in the conception of this product, which will have integrated photovoltaics to reflect and utilize direct solar radiation.

Manufacturing will take place in Toulouse, the home of Hydro's Technal systems brand, in a workshop specially designed for the "brise soleil" range of products.

Hydro's building systems brands – Wicona, Technal, Domal and Alumafel – offer a wide range of aluminium-based systems, such as for windows, doors, curtain walls, facades, railing, skylight and solar systems.