What Canatu Plc does

Canatu Plc is a Finland-based deep technology company founded in 2004 that develops advanced carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and CNT-based products for the semiconductor, automotive, and medical diagnostics industries. The company operates a vertically integrated model combining proprietary FC-CVD synthesis with its patented Dry Deposition™ method to produce single-walled, double-walled, and multi-walled CNTs with precisely controlled diameter, chirality, wall count, and bundle morphology. This core technology underpins three product platforms: Transparent Conductive Films, CNT Membranes (for EUV pellicles, inspection membranes, and optical filters), and Electrochemical Detection (for biosensors).

The company's commercial offerings include custom-designed CNT100 SEMI reactors for semiconductor-grade CNT membrane production and CNT100 HPR reactors for high-volume automotive film manufacturing, alongside finished products such as ADAS camera heaters, automotive film heaters, 3D-formable touch sensors, EUV pellicles, and electrochemical biosensors. Canatu generates revenue through a mix of reactor hardware sales, direct CNT product sales, technology licensing (notably to Korean company FST for pellicle membrane production), and post-processing equipment and lifecycle services. Pricing is quote-based and tailored to enterprise specifications.

Canatu sells primarily through direct enterprise sales to automotive OEMs and tier-1 suppliers (DENSO, Faurecia, Daimler, TS TECH, Webasto, Hosiden) and semiconductor manufacturers and research institutions (Imec, FST, ESA), supplemented by joint development agreements and a growing licensing channel. The company completed a public listing via share exchange with Lifeline SPAC in 2024 and trades on Nasdaq Helsinki under the ticker CANATU. It maintains operations from its Vantaa, Finland headquarters and manufacturing facility, which houses a fully automated roll-to-roll CNT film production line.

Name

Canatu Plc

Legal name

Canatu Plc

Website

https://canatu.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Canatu Plc is a Finland-based deep tech company that develops advanced carbon nanotubes and CNT-based products, including EUV pellicles, transparent conductive films, and electrochemical biosensors, serving the semiconductor, automotive, and medical diagnostics industries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Carbon Nanomaterials and Advanced CNT Products

NAICS

Carbon and Graphite Product Manufacturing (335991), Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing (33441), Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345)

SIC

Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890), Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845)

akta.pro primary industry

Conductive/ESD & EMI-Shielding Compounds (IMANABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Thermal Management & Heat Dissipation Solutions (TIMs, Lids, Heat Sinks) (HDAHADAG), Leadframes & Package Interconnect Materials (HDAHADAF)

Keywords

• Carbon nanotube manufacturing
• Transparent conductive films
• EUV pellicle membranes
• Automotive film heaters
• Electrochemical biosensors

Headquarters

HQ city

Vantaa

HQ country

Finland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. CNT Reactor Sales: Canatu designs, manufactures, and sells custom CNT synthesis reactors including CNT100 SEMI (for semiconductor membrane production) and CNT100 HPR (for high-volume automotive film production). Revenue recognized upon reactor delivery and acceptance.
2. Technology Licensing: Canatu licenses its technology enabling customers to produce CNT products under limited licenses. The company granted commercial production license to Korean company FST for CNT pellicle membranes using CNT100 SEMI reactor, with revenue recognized from license fees.
3. CNT Product Sales: Direct sales of CNT-based products including transparent conductive films, CNT membranes (EUV pellicles, inspection membranes), film heaters, and sensors. Products are sold to automotive and semiconductor customers with revenue from consumables and spare parts.
4. Post-Processing Equipment and Services: Canatu provides post-processing peripherals, consumables, lifecycle services, and spare parts to ensure uninterrupted reactor operation. Services include installation, Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), and ongoing technical support.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Canatu designs, manufactures, and sells advanced carbon nanotube (CNT) materials and finished products, organized around three product platforms: Transparent Conductive Films, CNT Membranes, and Electrochemical Detection. The company also sells custom CNT synthesis reactors (CNT100 SEMI for semiconductor membranes and CNT100 HPR for high-volume automotive film production) and licenses its proprietary Dry Deposition™ and FC-CVD technology to enable in-house CNT manufacturing. Products serve automotive (film heaters, ADAS camera heaters, 3D touch sensors), semiconductor (EUV pellicles, inspection membranes, optical filters), and medical diagnostics (electrochemical biosensors) end markets.

Product overview

Canatu Plc is a carbon nanomaterial developer that creates advanced carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for industry-transforming products. The company operates a platform-based model with three core product platforms: Transparent Conductive Films, CNT Membranes, and Electrochemical Detection. These platforms serve three main industries: Semiconductor (EUV pellicles, inspection membranes, optical filters, and CNT reactors including CNT100 SEMI and CNT100 HPR), Automotive (film heaters, ADAS camera heaters, and touch sensors in 3D), and Medical Diagnostics (electrochemical biosensors and sensors). Canatu manufactures its own reactors using Floating Catalyst Chemical Vapor Deposition (FC-CVD) and patented Dry Deposition™ technology, enabling mass production since 2015 for automotive and since 2021 for semiconductor applications. The company also develops future technologies including carbon nanotube transistors and solar cell interlayers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CNT100 SEMI Reactor Custom-designed CNT synthesis reactor optimized for producing high-precision CNT membrane products for semiconductor applications, featuring a precision-optimized single-tube design and tailor-made collection chambers (1-2 A3 size). Sold to semiconductor manufacturers for EUV pellicle and inspection membrane production.
• CNT100 HPR Reactor High-performance reactor engineered for high-volume CNT film production with two tubes, large 600x600mm collection chambers, designed for seamless integration into fully automated roll-to-roll film production lines. Used by automotive customers for transparent conductive film manufacturing.
• EUV Pellicle Membranes CNT membrane pellicles that protect photomasks from particle contamination during EUV lithography, with up to 97% EUV transmission and the ability to increase EUVL productivity by 8-15%. Sold to semiconductor equipment manufacturers and fab facilities.
• Inspection Membranes Ultra-thin debris filters for pre- and post-lithography quality control that prevent particle contamination on photomasks and optics while maintaining high EUV/X-ray transmittance. Used by semiconductor manufacturers for mask inspection.
• EUV and X-ray Filters Coated CNT membrane optical filters that selectively block unwanted particles, electrons, and photons while providing high EUV and X-ray transmittance. Used in advanced applications including space telescopes (ATHENA X-ray filter for European Space Agency).
• Film Heaters Wire-free CNT film heaters offering fast, uniform, and power-efficient heating with industry-leading optical performance, using 40% less energy than traditional wire heaters. Used for automotive sensor de-icing and defogging.
• ADAS Camera Heaters CNT-based camera heaters ensuring reliable ADAS camera performance in any weather with high transmittance at visible and infrared wavelengths and even heating. Targeted at automotive OEMs and tier-1 suppliers for advanced driver assistance systems.
• 3D Touch Sensors Award-winning thermoformable and bendable transparent touch sensors that can be integrated into displays, plastic, glass, leather, or textiles for intuitive in-vehicle user interfaces. Co-developed with TS TECH for door trims and Daimler for 3D touch door panels.
• Electrochemical Biosensors CNT-based electrochemical biosensors demonstrating over 10x higher sensitivity than competitors for point-of-care diagnostics, with capability to detect multiple biomarkers simultaneously. Targeted at medical diagnostics developers and clinical research institutions.
• Electrochemical Sensors Highly sensitive CNT-based electrochemical sensors for veterinary care, environmental monitoring, food and beverages, and industrial process monitoring applications beyond medical diagnostics.
• Transparent Conductive Films High-performance transparent conductive CNT films with record-breaking sheet resistance of 35Ω/sq at 90% transmittance, zero reflectance and haze, high color neutrality, and extreme stretchability over 200%. Sold to automotive and electronics customers for heaters and flexible touch applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• CNT pellicle membranes can increase EUVL productivity by 8-15%
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic, research, development and commercial.

• FINE SEMITECH CORPORATION (FST)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 24 October 2024Canatu granted commercial production license for CNT100 SEMI reactor to Korean semiconductor company FST in October 2025. License authorizes FST to mass-produce CNT pellicle membranes using the CNT100 SEMI reactor. FST received Site Acceptance Test (SAT) approval for the first reactor enabling mass production of advanced EUV pellicles.
• DENSOcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Joint Development Agreement signed in 2021 to develop high-performance reactors for CNT film production. Collaboration aimed at tripling Canatu's film manufacturing productivity. DENSO is a leading mobility supplier and long-standing partner, strengthening capabilities in ADAS camera heaters. In 2025, Canatu and DENSO co-created CNT100 HPR reactor with enhanced design, process controls, and serviceability including component upsizing and novel parallel furnace design.
• European Space Agency (ESA)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership since 2020 to develop X-ray filter for ATHENA telescope using CNT technology. Canatu developed fully carbon nanotube-based optical filter for X-ray astronomy enabling precise celestial imaging by allowing X-rays to pass while blocking other wavelengths. Novel all-carbon support structure developed with Ametek Finland Ltd. and University of Palermo.
• ImeccoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Collaboration since 2015 to develop CNT pellicle membranes meeting targets for lifetime and properties. Imec, a world-leading research hub in nanoelectronics and digital technologies, demonstrated CNT pellicle use on NXE:3300 EUV scanner with single-pass EUV transmission up to 97% and low, correctable imaging impact.
• Aalto UniversityresearchStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for CNT research and development including carbon nanotube transistor applications. Collaboration leverages university expertise in nanoelectronics and provides access to advanced research capabilities.
• VTT Technical Research Centre of FinlandresearchStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership with VTT, a leading Nordic research institute, supporting Canatu's technology development and innovation initiatives.
• Helsinki University HospitalresearchStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with leading Finnish university hospital to develop electrode strips for point-of-care measurements of painkiller concentrations. Early-stage clinical research studies evaluating prototype test strips for paracetamol and opioid detection.
• TS TECHdevelopmentStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint development of 3D touch switches for in-vehicle applications. TS TECH and Canatu developed decorative door trim with 3D touch switches to control power seat adjustments, combining Canatu's touch sensors with TS TECH's decorative trims for intuitive user experience.
• FaureciadevelopmentStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutomotive partnership for CNT applications in vehicle interiors and sensors. Faurecia, a leading automotive technology company, has collaborated with Canatu on automotive sensor development.
• HosidencommercialChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChannel partner for automotive electronics components integrating Canatu's technology into automotive applications.
• WebastodevelopmentStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutomotive partnership for roof and sensor heating solutions integrating Canatu's CNT film heater technology.
• CovestrodevelopmentStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaterials partnership for CNT applications with Covestro, a leading polymer materials supplier, supporting automotive and other industrial applications.
• Methode ElectronicsdevelopmentStrategic or Co-development PartnerElectronics partnership for automotive and other applications integrating Canatu's CNT technology.
• SekisuidevelopmentStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaterials partnership with Sekisui for CNT applications in automotive and other industrial sectors.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• OCSiAl: One of the world's largest producers of single-walled carbon nanotubes, competing head-to-head with Canatu in supplying high-grade CNT materials for automotive, electronics, and industrial applications. Both firms sell CNT powders and downstream CNT-enabled products into overlapping end markets.
• Resonac (formerly Showa Denko): Major Japanese specialty chemicals and CNT producer with significant carbon nanotube manufacturing capacity. Competes with Canatu in CNT materials and conductive applications, including battery and electronics adjacencies.
• LG Chem: South Korean chemical and battery materials leader with a CNT product line. Competes with Canatu in supplying CNTs for battery electrodes, conductive films, and other advanced materials applications globally.
• Meijo Nano Carbon: Japanese specialist in carbon nanotube and fullerene materials, including double-walled and multi-walled CNTs. Competes with Canatu in supplying high-purity CNTs for electronics and industrial customers in Asia.
• Nanocyl: Belgian manufacturer of multi-walled carbon nanotubes serving automotive, electronics, and energy applications. Direct CNT materials peer with overlapping customers in conductive plastics and specialty industrial materials.
• Jiangsu Cnano Technology: Leading Chinese producer of multi-walled and few-walled carbon nanotubes supplying lithium-ion battery, conductive, and structural applications. A direct global CNT peer with significant scale in conductive materials markets.

Broad incumbents

• Cabot Corporation: Global specialty chemicals and performance materials company with a portfolio including carbon blacks, fumed silica, and advanced carbons. Comparable as a broad incumbent in carbon-based industrial materials supplying automotive, electronics, and infrastructure customers.
• Birla Carbon: World's largest manufacturer of carbon black, supplying rubber, plastics, and specialty applications. A broader incumbent in industrial carbon materials whose downstream conductive and specialty grades overlap with some Canatu use cases.
• Arkema: French specialty materials company with a CNT/graphene nanotube product line (Graphistrength). A broad incumbent offering competing conductive CNT masterbatches and additives for energy storage, composites, and electronics.

Emerging players

• C3 Nano: US-based transparent conductive film provider using silver nanowire technology targeting touch sensors, flexible displays, and automotive smart surfaces. An emerging competitor offering an alternative technology to Canatu's CNT transparent conductive films in overlapping end applications.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CanatuVideos
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/canatu

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds6 records

Investors7 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Canatu Plc