Environment testing leader Eurofins Scientific recently entered into an agreement to acquire Slovenia’s Environmental Research & Industrial Co-operation (ERICo), the leading independent laboratory in the country.

“We believe ERICo will benefit from becoming part of the Eurofins Group, and getting access to its wide range of technical expertise and its network capabilities,” said Gorenje Group Executive Vice President Marijan Penšek.

ERICo has been operating for more than two decades and has a staff of 46 people in its Velenje laboratory. The company provides environment testing services to some of the largest power plants, coal mines and other industrial companies in the country, and also has capabilities for some pharmaceutical products testing. Eurofins’ acquisition of the laboratory is an entry into Slovenia and a platform from which the group hopes to continue developing.

“ERICo provides Eurofins a good entry into the analytical testing market in Slovenia and reinforces our footprint in central and eastern Europe,” said Eurofins CEO Dr. Gilles Martin. “We are looking forward to contributing to, and strengthening ERICo’s position in its market, as well as expanding the portfolio of tests it offers to customers by offering the full range of services and capabilities of the Group.”