Key Takeaways
- PB tec, part of Atrium Agri, acquires all CE-Line assets following the company’s bankruptcy in July 2025.
- Deal includes intellectual property, patents, inventory, stock, work in progress, and goodwill.
- CE-Line developed a capillary electrophoresis system for real-time nutrient measurement in irrigation water.
- Operations will continue at the company’s Emmeloord facility, with most of the team retained.
- Acquisition excludes debts or liabilities unless otherwise agreed with the trustee.
CE-Line Technology Preserved Under PB tec
On August 1, 2025, PB tec, a horticultural technology specialist within Atrium Agri, completed the purchase of all CE-Line assets from the company’s bankrupt estate. The acquisition was finalised with trustee Bas van Dijen of Okkerse & Schop lawyers and covers intangible assets, patents, inventory, stock, work in progress, and goodwill.
The move secures CE-Line’s expertise in real-time water analysis for greenhouse horticulture, aiming to integrate and expand these capabilities within PB tec’s product portfolio.
CE-Line’s Real-Time Nutrient Measurement Innovation
CE-Line created a system allowing growers to monitor nutrient levels in irrigation water instantly, enabling precise and automated fertiliser dosing. The system uses capillary electrophoresis to provide on-site results without sending samples to a lab and automatically flushes and calibrates overnight to reduce user workload.
Koen Brabander, CCO of PB tec, said: “This acquisition aligns well with our activities; we already produce fertiliser units that dose at the level of the basic elements. We want to build further on what already exists and develop the technology further, especially focusing on real-time correction of the fertilisation schedules.”
Development and Market Reach
Over recent years, CE-Line enhanced its system to connect with substrate units for automated nutrient dosing adjustments and began research into measuring micronutrients. Since its 2023 market launch, about fifteen systems have been installed worldwide, including at Wageningen University & Research’s GREENHOUSE2030 project.
Continued Operations and Strategic Growth
PB tec will keep CE-Line’s operations in Emmeloord and retain much of the team, ensuring ongoing customer support such as calibration fluid supply and data interpretation. CEO Richard Schmit stated: “By acquiring these assets, we can improve our product range and broaden our development capacity. At the same time, we retain valuable components from the bankrupt company that are important for the market. We expect all key personnel to enter into new employment contracts with us.”
Scope of the Acquisition
The transaction covers assets only and does not include CE-Line’s debts, liabilities, or personnel unless separately agreed with the trustee. The integration aims to preserve and further develop CE-Line’s innovations within PB tec’s horticultural technology offerings.
