According to recent news report by Reuters Aixtron's CEO Martin Goetzeler said in an interview that the company may sell off part of its business, which could open the door for bidders after a deal with a Chinese company collapsed.
Aixtron manufactures and sells process equipment to the semiconductor and LED industries. Its technology is being used to upgrade U.S. and foreign-owned Patriot missile defence systems and the U.S. Treasury said the deal had been blocked due to national security risks.
The German company has been trying to return to profit and reclaim its leadership position within the global market for LED chip-making equipment from its US rival Veeco Instruments.
According to Aixtron's most recent annual financial report, Veeco held a 53 percent share of the market for the equipment, used to make LEDs, in 2014, while Aixtron had 41 percent.
Aixtron executives are reported to have said that without the GCI deal the company would have to choose between investing its limited funds in new technology and hope for a recovery in demand, or shrink its business and workforce.