Cupron
Cupron develops and licenses copper-based antimicrobial additives — delivered as powders, dispersions, masterbatches, and yarns — that OEMs integrate into polymers, textiles, irrigation, and consumer products. It serves healthcare, agriculture, construction, and personal-care manufacturers under unique EPA Public Health Claims.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersRichmond, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Cupron does
Cupron is a Richmond, Virginia-based materials science company that develops and licenses copper-based antimicrobial technology for integration into polymers and liquid systems. The company's core technology embeds copper oxide microparticles within substrates, leveraging copper's biocidal properties — disruption of microbial cell membranes, generation of reactive oxygen species, and interference with vital enzymes — to kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Cupron holds multiple unique EPA Public Health Claims (including the first-ever anti-fungal claim for Trichophyton mentagrophytes and the only EPA copper-based root intrusion registrations) and a patent portfolio covering copper compounds in polymeric articles worldwide. Its commercial offering spans five platforms — Cupron Classic, Snow White, Spectrum, Clear, and Sinerji — delivered as powders, liquid dispersions, polymeric masterbatches, and functional yarns that OEMs can integrate into diverse end-product form factors.
Revenue is generated through three primary streams: technology licensing and royalties paid by OEMs who embed Cupron into their products (e.g., MEDCu wound dressings, Under Armour apparel, Netafim USA irrigation systems, EOS Surfaces healthcare hard surfaces, Via Seating furniture, Drymax helmet chin cups); direct B2B enterprise sales of antimicrobial medical textiles to healthcare systems, most notably a multi-year deployment at Sentara Healthcare covering 11 hospitals; and direct formulation/ingredient sales to manufacturing partners. Go-to-market blends OEM licensing, enterprise field sales to hospitals, channel partnerships with laundry service providers (NOVO Health Services, Up To Date Laundry) and industrial distributors, and event-driven demand generation at industry conferences (APIC, NYSCC Suppliers' Day, CLEAN show, Irrigation Association Show). Pricing is B2B/enterprise, custom-priced by volume and application, sold in case quantities to institutional buyers under multi-year contracts.
The company has accumulated measurable clinical and commercial evidence supporting its value proposition, including a greater than 37% reduction in hospital-acquired infection rates at Sentara, 2.4X greater wound area reduction versus silver dressings in clinical study, 99.9–99.99% kill rates against bacteria, viruses, and fungi, 8 million+ patient days of safe use across 25+ medical settings, and a 76% reduction in root intrusion in subsurface drip irrigation systems. Distribution and operations span North America, the Middle East (Israel), and Europe, with a 14,000 sq ft facility at Interport Business Park near Richmond International Airport. Cupron closed its initial Series A financing in April 2025 with industry veteran Mark Miller joining the Board.
Cupron firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cupron
- Legal name
- Cupron Inc.
- Website
- https://cupron.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Cupron develops and licenses copper-based antimicrobial additives — delivered as powders, dispersions, masterbatches, and yarns — that OEMs integrate into polymers, textiles, irrigation, and consumer products. It serves healthcare, agriculture, construction, and personal-care manufacturers under unique EPA Public Health Claims.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cupron industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Antimicrobial Materials & Additives
- NAICS
- Resin, Synthetic Rubber, and Artificial and Synthetic Fibers and Filaments Manufacturing (3252)
- SIC
- Plastic Material, Synth Resin/Rubber, Cellulos (No Glass) (2820), Plastics Products, Nec (3089)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Functional Additive Compounds (UV/Antioxidant/Slip/Antiblock/Processing Aids) (IMANABAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Medical & Hygiene Technical Textiles (Gauze/Drapes/Wipes/Barrier Fabrics) (IMAOADAD)
Keywords
Where Cupron is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Richmond
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Cupron business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Technology Licensing: Licensing copper-based antimicrobial technology to manufacturers who embed it into their products. Partners include medical device companies, textile manufacturers, coatings companies, plastics producers, and consumer brands. Revenue generated through licensing fees and royalties on products sold.
- B2B Product Sales: Direct sales of Cupron Enhanced products to healthcare facilities including antimicrobial linens, patient gowns, and hard surfaces. Enterprise-level contracts with hospital systems for comprehensive antimicrobial textile deployment.
- Formulation Sales: Sale of proprietary formulations (Classic, Snow White, Spectrum, Clear, Sinerji) to industrial manufacturing partners. Products available in various forms: powders, liquid dispersions, polymeric masterbatches, and functional yarns tailored to partner needs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Enterprise B2B pricing for healthcare facilities |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Licensing and formulation partnerships |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Cupron product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cupron develops proprietary copper-based antimicrobial formulations that can be embedded directly into polymers, foams, coatings, and textile fibers. The company licenses these additive technologies to manufacturers (OEMs) for integration into finished products, and sells Cupron Enhanced Medical Textiles directly to healthcare systems for use in clinical environments to reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
Product overview
Cupron is a copper-based antimicrobial technology company offering a portfolio of performance additive formulations that integrate copper's antimicrobial properties into polymers and liquid systems. The core product lineup includes four distinct formulations: Cupron Classic (the foundational red copper oxide with broad EPA claims), Cupron Snow White (white oxide for color-sensitive applications), Cupron Spectrum (master batch for expanded color range), and Cupron Clear (the latest liquid copper platform for solids, topicals, and all liquid forms). The company also offers the Cupron Sinerji platform extending beyond copper to silver and zinc. Their technology is licensed to manufacturing partners across diverse markets including Medical Devices, Building & Construction, Coatings, HI&I, Personal Care, Plastics & Solids, Textiles, Specialty Industrial, Oil & Gas, and Water Infrastructure. Technology is available in powders, liquid dispersions, polymeric masterbatches, and functional yarns.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Cupron Classic™: Launch platform demonstrating the power and versatility of copper in polymers, with EPA Public Health Claims for both solid and soft surfaces.
- Cupron Snow White™
- Cupron Spectrum™
- Cupron Clear™
- Cupron Sinerji™
- Cupron Enhanced™
Products and services
- Cupron Classic
Quantifiable outcome
- 37% reduction in hospital-acquired infection rates following full deployment of Cupron linens at 11 Sentara hospitals
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Cupron
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments9 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Cupron technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
Cupron partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered secondary, core and minor.
- TaikiUSAsecondaryJoint presentation at NYSCC Suppliers' Day 2026 on 'Bringing together the old and the new: improving copper ion delivery using a novel nanofiber format' with Chief Scientist Dr. Laura Frazier.
- Drymax TechnologiessecondaryLaunched Cupron Enhanced Chin Cups for football helmets providing antimicrobial protection for athletes.
- MEDCucoreLicensee that became first company to gain FDA and CE clearances to market copper-based wound dressings globally. MEDCu wound dressings utilize Cupron's platform technology and have shown 2.4X greater wound healing vs silver dressings.
- Up To Date LaundrysecondaryHealthcare laundry services partnership for processing Cupron antimicrobial textiles.
- TechmercoreStrategic partnership to expand access to Cupron's copper-based antimicrobial technology through plastics manufacturing channel.
- NOVO Health ServicessecondaryHealthcare linen services partnership for processing Cupron antimicrobial textiles for healthcare facilities.
- Healthcare FacilitiessecondaryResponded to COVID-19 pandemic by producing reusable copper-embedded face masks. Products sold in case quantities (1000 units) to healthcare organizations, municipalities, first responders, and long-term care facilities.
- Via SeatingsecondaryPartnership to develop unique copper-infused mesh for seating products. Self-sanitizing mesh with strong biocidal, antifungal, and antiviral properties for clinical environments. Genie Copper Mesh outperformed other clinical textiles in testing.
- Under ArmourcoreMajor sports brand debuting Cupron Enhanced Boxer Jock featuring antifungal technology that kills 99.9% of jock itch fungus. Available in sizes XS-5XL through various retail outlets.
- Netafim USAcoreAgriculture company using Cupron technology in Techline HCVXR landscape dripline. Only landscape dripline infusing copper oxide into emitter molds for root barrier. Won 2016 Irrigation Show People's Choice Award.
- Sentara HealthcarecoreHealthcare system conducting world's largest hospital evaluation of Cupron antimicrobial-protected materials across 11 hospitals. Deployment resulted in >37% reduction in HAI rates.
- Encompass GroupcoreManufacturing partner for Cupron-enhanced textiles including patient bed linens, patient gowns and other textiles for healthcare deployment in Sentara hospitals.
- EOS SurfacescoreJoint development partner for patent-pending Cupron Enhanced EOS Surfaces. Solid surface manufacturer received EPA approval for public health claims. Deployment of 15,000+ sq ft in hospital facilities.
- Reuth Medical Center (Tel Aviv, Israel)coreFirst hospital in world to fully deploy copper-embedded textiles following successful clinical trial in head injury ward. 350-bed rehabilitation hospital.
- NASAsecondaryPartnership to test effectiveness of antimicrobial textiles in simulated space environment over 120-day period as part of NASA's HI-SEAS program.
- United States Deep Caving TeamminorPartnership supplying customized gloves and socks to 2013 J2 Expedition to Cueve Cheve in Oaxaca, Mexico - deepest known cavern in Western Hemisphere. Products protect skin through copper's power.
- Perrigo CompanysecondaryWorld's largest OTC medical products manufacturer partnered for launch of Cupron diabetic socks in Israel at annual Diabetes Convention.
- Chilean MinersminorHumanitarian partnership supplying Cupron Enhanced socks to 33 Chilean miners trapped underground for 69 days. Socks protected miners' feet and helped enhance well-being. Featured in Smithsonian exhibit.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Cupron competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Microban International: Largest independent antimicrobial additive company with embedded technologies for plastics, textiles, and coatings across consumer and industrial markets. Directly comparable licensing/OEM business model, though broader silver- and zinc-based chemistry portfolio than Cupron's copper focus.
- Sciessent (Agion): Antimicrobial technology company providing silver-based additive solutions integrated into polymers, textiles, and coatings for healthcare and consumer applications. Closely comparable OEM/licensing GTM and vertical focus on infection control.
- HeiQ Materials: Swiss materials science firm licensing antimicrobial and performance textile technologies (including silver and copper-based chemistries) to apparel, healthcare, and home brands. Comparable technology-licensing model with multiple active ingredients.
- BioCote: UK-based antimicrobial technology provider integrating silver-ion additives into plastics, coatings, and textiles for healthcare, consumer, and construction products. Closely comparable OEM licensing model with regulatory-backed claims.
- Sanitized AG: Swiss provider of antimicrobial hygiene function and material protection for polymers, textiles, and coatings with OEM licensing model. Comparable regulatory-backed efficacy claims serving healthcare and consumer verticals.
- Polygiene: Antimicrobial and odor-control technology company licensing silver-based treatments to textile and apparel brands (sport, lifestyle, healthcare). Comparable licensing-and-ingredient model targeting consumer-facing brands.
Emerging players
- Life Materials Technologies: Emerging antimicrobial technology company developing copper- and silver-based additives for textiles and plastics. Comparable copper-centric positioning with narrower commercial scale.
- Noble Bio: European antimicrobial technology company focused on copper-based treatments for healthcare and industrial applications. Comparable copper-only chemistry with smaller commercial footprint.
- Halosource (HaloShield): Antimicrobial technology provider with EPA-registered claims for healthcare and consumer products, integrating additives into polymers and coatings. Comparable regulatory-backed US go-to-market with narrower portfolio.
Broad incumbents
- Trevira (Indorama Ventures): Established German fiber manufacturer producing inherently antimicrobial polyester and flame-retardant fibers for home textiles, apparel, and technical applications. Comparable end-product integration though a fiber producer rather than pure technology licensor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Cupron social profiles
Digital presenceCupron compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
Cupron financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cupron leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Cupron funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cupron M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Cupron
What does Cupron do?
Cupron develops proprietary copper-based antimicrobial formulations that can be embedded directly into polymers, foams, coatings, and textile fibers. The company licenses these additive technologies to manufacturers (OEMs) for integration into finished products, and sells Cupron Enhanced Medical Textiles directly to healthcare systems for use in clinical environments to reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
Is Cupron a public or private company?
Cupron is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Cupron founded?
Cupron was founded in 2004. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Cupron based?
Cupron is headquartered in Richmond, United States, in the North America region.
How does Cupron make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Technology Licensing is the primary driver. The others are B2B Product Sales and formulation Sales.
Who are Cupron's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Microban International, Sciessent (Agion), HeiQ Materials, BioCote, Sanitized AG and Polygiene. Emerging players are Life Materials Technologies, Noble Bio and Halosource (HaloShield). Trevira (Indorama Ventures) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Cupron have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cupron.
What industry is Cupron in?
Cupron's product category is Antimicrobial Materials & Additives. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMANABAJ, Functional Additive Compounds (UV/Antioxidant/Slip/Antiblock/Processing Aids), with a secondary code of IMAOADAD, Medical & Hygiene Technical Textiles (Gauze/Drapes/Wipes/Barrier Fabrics). Its NAICS code is 3252 and its SIC code is 2820.