Distran
Distran AG, founded in 2013 in Zürich from ETH Zurich, manufactures ultrasonic cameras using a proprietary 124-element sensor array to detect, localize, and quantify pressurized gas leaks in real time. The company sells handheld (Ultra Pro Max, Ultra Pro Lite) and fixed (SonicView) certified systems to oil & gas, chemical, power, aerospace, and government operators across 50+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersZürich, Switzerland
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Distran does
Distran AG is a Swiss industrial sensor company founded in 2013 as a spin-off from the Autonomous System Lab at ETH Zurich. The company invented the world's first ultrasonic camera and today manufactures a portfolio of acoustic imaging products that detect and quantify pressurized gas leaks from a safe distance of up to 100 meters, including the Ultra Pro Max and Ultra Pro Lite handheld cameras and the SonicView fixed 24/7 monitoring system. Core technology rests on a proprietary 124-element ultrasound sensor array that captures acoustic emissions, reconstructs their spatial origin via phase-difference analysis, and overlays the result onto real-time optical video, augmented by the DeepRange signal processing algorithm and a patented quantification method validated by INERIS. All products carry ATEX, IECEx, and UL certifications for hazardous-area deployment, and integrate with industrial control systems via OPC-UA, relays, 4-20mA, and CMMS reporting workflows.
Distran sells primarily through enterprise field sales targeting oil & gas operators, chemical processors, power generators, industrial gas companies, and mission-critical environments such as aerospace and hydrogen systems, with a broad distributor network serving 50+ countries. The company also pursues public sector sales through a Carahsoft channel partnership. Revenue is generated predominantly through hardware sales (Ultra Pro Max, Ultra Pro Lite, SonicView) complemented by professional services, training, and software/cloud subscriptions via the Audalytics reporting platform; pricing is quote-based under multi-year contracts. Headquartered in Zürich with wholly-owned subsidiaries in Lyon and Beaumont, Texas, plus personnel in Germany, Denmark, and Bahrain, Distran counts 60+ employees and has raised approximately CHF 10.8M across a Series B led by Swisscanto Private Equity with ALIAD, Energie 360°, Zürcher Kantonalbank, and Innosuisse. Named customers include TotalEnergies, Shell, BASF, ExxonMobil, Air Liquide, EDF, ENGIE, Arkema, Linde, and NASA.
Distran firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Distran
- Legal name
- Distran AG
- Website
- https://distran.swiss
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Distran AG, founded in 2013 in Zürich from ETH Zurich, manufactures ultrasonic cameras using a proprietary 124-element sensor array to detect, localize, and quantify pressurized gas leaks in real time. The company sells handheld (Ultra Pro Max, Ultra Pro Lite) and fixed (SonicView) certified systems to oil & gas, chemical, power, aerospace, and government operators across 50+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Distran industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Acoustic Imaging / Gas Leak Detection Equipment
- NAICS
- Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)
- SIC
- Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Advanced Leak Quantification & Emissions Measurement (Methane Quantification/OGI/Flux) (EUAJADAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Active Leak Detection & Acoustic Surveying (Ground Mics, Correlators, Hydrophones) (EUANAKAA), Process Analytical Instrumentation (Gas analyzers, spectroscopy, pH/ORP, conductivity) (IMAGAFAE), Gas Line Inspection, Pressure Testing & Certification (HSAOAKAD)
Keywords
Where Distran is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Zürich
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Distran business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Ultrasonic Camera Hardware Sales: Sale of portable handheld cameras (Ultra Pro Max, Ultra Pro Lite) and fixed monitoring systems (SonicView). Hardware forms the primary revenue stream with varying price points based on specifications and certifications.
- Fixed Monitoring Solutions: Continuous 24/7 gas leak monitoring systems with zone-specific alerts and integration capabilities. Includes project management, site survey, commissioning, and training services.
- Professional Services: Training, commissioning, and implementation services provided alongside hardware. Includes role-based training for operators, safety teams, and supervisors.
- Software and Cloud Services: Reporting, cloud, and API integration capabilities. Data export via Audalytics or SD card for inspection documentation and integration with maintenance systems.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Ultra Pro Max - High-performance portable leak detection camera |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Ultra Pro Lite - Core acoustic leak detection at lower price point |
| Other | Multi-year contract | SonicView - Fixed monitoring acoustic gas leak detection system |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Distran product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Distran manufactures ultrasonic acoustic cameras for industrial gas leak detection. Its product line includes handheld inspection devices (Ultra Pro Max, Ultra Pro Lite) and a fixed 24/7 monitoring system (SonicView), all built on a proprietary 124-element ultrasound sensor array that captures, localizes, and quantifies pressurized gas leaks in real time and overlays the results on optical video. The hardware is complemented by Audalytics reporting, training, and commissioning services.
Product overview
Distran manufactures ultrasonic cameras for gas leak detection, offering a portfolio of handheld inspection devices and fixed monitoring systems. The handheld product line includes the Ultra Pro Max (high-performance, full feature set with DeepRange and DCL), and Ultra Pro Lite (entry-level, core functionality without advanced noise reduction). The fixed monitoring solution, SonicView, provides continuous 24/7 monitoring with zone-specific alerts and industrial system integration via OPC-UA. All products utilize the proprietary Acoustic Leak Imaging (ALI) technology platform built on a 124-element ultrasound sensor array, enabling detection of any pressurized gas type from a safe distance. The products share common capabilities including real-time leak quantification, ATEX/IECEx hazardous area certification, and integration with existing maintenance and CMMS systems.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SonicView: Next generation acoustic gas leak detection system for fixed monitoring of large areas with 24/7 monitoring, zone-specific alerts, and visual confirmation of leaks.
- Ultra Pro Max
- Ultra Pro Lite
Products and services
- Ultra Pro Max High-performance handheld acoustic camera for gas leak detection in real industrial conditions. Features 180° acoustic field of view, 4× optical zoom, DeepRange signal processing for noisy environments, real-time leak rate quantification, and Detection Confidence Level (DCL). ATEX/IECEx/UL certified for hazardous areas. Targeted at enterprise operators in oil & gas, chemical, power generation, and aerospace.
- Ultra Pro Lite Lower-cost handheld acoustic camera delivering the core acoustic detection capability including any-gas-type detection, real-time leak quantification, and ATEX certification. Designed for moderate-noise industrial environments when budget is the primary constraint.
- SonicView Fixed acoustic gas leak detection system for continuous 24/7 monitoring of large industrial areas. Features a 20m detection radius, 180° field of view, 1-second response time, zone-specific alerts, and integration with PLC/DCS via OPC-UA, relays, and 4-20 mA. ATEX/IECEx certified for hazardous environments.
Quantifiable outcome
- Detect leaks up to 10x faster than point-by-point methods
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Distran
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Distran technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
AI capability7 records
Feature7 records
Distran partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- CarahsoftcorePartnership to expand access to passive ultrasound detection technology for the public sector. Carahsoft provides government agencies access to Distran's advanced leak detection solutions through their distribution channels and multiple contracts.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Distran competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Teledyne FLIR: Teledyne FLIR is the dominant manufacturer of optical gas imaging (OGI) infrared cameras for industrial leak detection. It competes directly with Distran's ultrasonic cameras in oil & gas LDAR programs and emissions inspection workflows, with a much larger installed base and global service network.
- Honeywell: Honeywell offers a broad portfolio of fixed gas detection systems, flame and gas detectors, and emissions monitoring solutions across oil & gas, chemical, and power generation. While not a direct acoustic-camera competitor, it overlaps with Distran in fixed gas leak monitoring tenders at large industrial operators.
- Dräger: Dräger is a global manufacturer of gas detection instruments, fixed and portable, used in oil & gas, chemical, and mining safety. It competes indirectly with Distran where end customers choose between portable sniffers/IR cameras and acoustic cameras for routine LDAR.
- MSA Safety: MSA Safety produces fixed and portable gas detectors and flame detection systems sold to industrial safety buyers globally. Its installed base in oil & gas and chemical overlaps with Distran's customer set, making it a competitor for the leak detection portion of safety budgets.
- SLB (Schlumberger): SLB (formerly Schlumberger) provides digital and emissions management solutions for oil & gas operators, including methane detection and monitoring services. Through its SENSIA brand it competes with Distran in fugitive emissions and LDAR programs at upstream and midstream operators.
Direct peers
- INFICON: INFICON manufactures leak detection instruments including ultrasonic and sniffer-based systems for industrial and HVAC/refrigeration applications. It is one of the closest direct competitors to Distran in ultrasonic/acoustic leak detection hardware.
- Sonotec: Sonotec develops ultrasonic testing and acoustic emission measurement equipment, including airborne ultrasound leak detectors used in industrial inspection. It competes with Distran in the ultrasonic/acoustic leak detection niche with handheld cameras and fixed sensors.
- Opgal Optronic Industries: Opgal manufactures optical gas imaging (OGI/IR) cameras for detecting hydrocarbon and other gas leaks in industrial facilities. It competes head-to-head with Distran's ultrasonic cameras in oil & gas LDAR and emissions compliance applications.
Emerging players
- HBK (Hottinger Brüel & Kjær): HBK is a global leader in sound and vibration measurement, with acoustic instrumentation used in industrial acoustic monitoring and emissions applications. It is adjacent to Distran's acoustic leak imaging business and could expand into fixed acoustic gas leak detection.
Regional players
- Heath Consultants: Heath Consultants provides gas leak detection services and equipment (including optical gas imaging and combustible gas indicators) primarily in North America for natural gas distribution utilities. It overlaps with Distran in methane leak survey work for utilities and pipelines.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Distran social profiles
Digital presenceDistran compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance8 records
Distran financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Distran leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Distran subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Distran funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds5 records
Investors6 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Distran 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 Distran
What does Distran do?
Distran manufactures ultrasonic acoustic cameras for industrial gas leak detection. Its product line includes handheld inspection devices (Ultra Pro Max, Ultra Pro Lite) and a fixed 24/7 monitoring system (SonicView), all built on a proprietary 124-element ultrasound sensor array that captures, localizes, and quantifies pressurized gas leaks in real time and overlays the results on optical video. The hardware is complemented by Audalytics reporting, training, and commissioning services.
Is Distran a public or private company?
Distran is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Distran founded?
Distran was founded in 2013. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Distran based?
Distran is headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does Distran make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Ultrasonic Camera Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are fixed Monitoring Solutions, professional Services and software and Cloud Services.
Who are Distran's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Teledyne FLIR, Honeywell, Dräger, MSA Safety and SLB (Schlumberger). Direct peers are INFICON, Sonotec and Opgal Optronic Industries. HBK (Hottinger Brüel & Kjær) is listed as an emerging player. Heath Consultants is listed as a regional player.
Does Distran have an API?
No public API is recorded for Distran.
What industry is Distran in?
Distran's product category is Industrial Acoustic Imaging / Gas Leak Detection Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAJADAK, Advanced Leak Quantification & Emissions Measurement (Methane Quantification/OGI/Flux), with a secondary code of EUANAKAA, Active Leak Detection & Acoustic Surveying (Ground Mics, Correlators, Hydrophones). Its NAICS code is 33451 and its SIC code is 3823.