Siemens has added multi-scale chemistry modelling to its industrial digital twin software Xcelerator with the acquisition of Dutch chemistry simulation software specialist Culgi. The move adds quantum and molecular chemistry models to the Xcelerator portfolio, and will provide new and cost-saving approaches for both discrete and process manufacturing industries.

According to Siemens, the company is now able to offer industry’s first integrated multiscale solution for soft matter as part of the company’s Simcenter portfolio.

The acquisition of Culgi builds on Siemens’ November 2019 acquisition of MultiMechanics, which added efficient prediction of solid material properties and behaviour to the Simcenter portfolio. Through the addition of Culgi’s soft materials simulation, Simcenter can now offer an integrated CAE solution that enables performance-driven optimisation of advanced materials.

Founded in 1999 in Leiden, The Netherlands, Culgi provides expertise and develops software solutions for multiscale chemistry simulation, from quantum chemistry to molecular dynamics. Its products are used by companies to design and analyse new materials in domains such as specialty chemicals, batteries, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.

“Innovations in soft materials engineering begin at the quantum and molecular levels,” said Jan Leuridan, Senior Vice President, Simulation and Test Solutions, Siemens Digital Industries Software. “With Culgi technology as part of the Simcenter portfolio, process engineers will gain access to a comprehensive digital twin that combines micro-scale, meso-scale and macro-scale modeling. This tightly integrated workflow enables the design exploration of advanced materials in the context of product performance objectives, and we welcome the team to Siemens.”

“Virtual screening of novel materials in an early stage of development is a key enabler of digitalisation in the chemical industries,” said Johannes Fraaije, Professor at Leiden University and CEO of Culgi. “With the integration of Culgi molecular simulation software and services within the Simcenter portfolio, engineers have an extra handle to design materials efficiently and effectively, with desired properties all along the value chain from inception, to process development, to logistics and market analysis.”

The transaction is expected to close in calendar year 2020. Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.