What Bluefors does

Bluefors is a privately held Finnish manufacturer, headquartered at Arinatie 10, Helsinki, that designs and produces cryogen-free dilution refrigerator measurement systems achieving sub-10 millikelvin temperatures — the cooling infrastructure on which superconducting quantum computers and a wide swath of millikelvin physics experiments depend. The core product line spans dilution refrigerator platforms (XLDsl, LD, Ultra-Compact LD, SD, LH), 1K systems including the XLDHe high-power platform, 4K systems, the KIDE Cryogenic Platform (designed to scale beyond 1,000 qubits), the Modular Cryogenic Platform, and a Cryogenic Wafer Prober for wafer-level testing below 2 K. Following the 2023 acquisition of Cryomech, the portfolio expanded to include PT-series pulse tube cryocoolers, Gifford-McMahon cryocoolers, and a helium management lineup (HeRL-series reliquefiers, LHeP liquid helium plants, and helium recovery systems). Additional revenue comes from integrated measurement infrastructure — high-density and coaxial wiring, optical fibers, Cri/oFlex, cryogenic electronics, and superconducting magnets — plus Total System Care service contracts and Bluefors Lab access.

The company monetizes predominantly via enterprise hardware sales with quote-based custom pricing on systems carrying 6–9 month lead times, layered with recurring service revenue and lab-services income. It sells directly to quantum technology companies (IBM Quantum Network, Google Quantum AI, IQM, D-Wave, Silicon Quantum Computing, Photonic, QuantrolOx), premier research institutions (Universities of Chicago, Cornell, Yale, NYU, Duke, Penn, Niels Bohr Institute, IISER Thiruvananthapuram, Simons Observatory, Forschungszentrum Jülich, AIST Japan), and life-sciences/NMR users. Direct sales coverage is operated from Helsinki, Syracuse, Brooklyn, Chicago, Tokyo (via the acquired Rockgate distributor), Munich, and Delft (R&D), with wholly-owned subsidiaries Cryomech and Rockgate supporting US and Japan operations.

Bluefors reported 2024 revenues above $200M, has more than 1,500 systems installed worldwide, and holds an estimated 80%+ share of the global cryogen-free dilution refrigerator market. Leadership comprises CEO Kim Povlsen, founders Rob Blaauwgeers and Pieter Vorselman (COO), and Chairman Kimmo Alkio. No external equity funding rounds are disclosed, consistent with a bootstrapped, founder-controlled capital structure.

Name

Bluefors

Legal name

Bluefors Oy

Website

https://bluefors.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Bluefors, headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, is the world's leading manufacturer of cryogen-free dilution refrigerator measurement systems, serving quantum computing companies (IBM, Google, IQM, D-Wave), research institutions, and NMR/life sciences labs with ultra-low temperature cooling infrastructure.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cryogenic Measurement Systems

NAICS

Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (333415), Ventilation, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (3334)

SIC

Refrigeration & Service Industry Machinery (3580), Air-Cond & Warm Air Heatg Equip & Comm & Indl Refrig Equip (3585)

akta.pro primary industry

Dilution Refrigerators & Ultra-Low Temperature Platforms (HDAGABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cryogenic Systems & Cryostats (HDAGABAA), Calibration, Characterization & Test Instrumentation (Cryo/RF) (HDAGABAM), Cryogenic Wiring, Interconnects & RF Cabling (HDAGABAE), Cryogenic Packaging, Enclosures & Thermal Interfaces (Sample Holders, PCBs, Connectors) (HDAGABAO), Quantum Control, Cryogenics & Measurement Research (HDAGAMAC)

Keywords

• Cryogenic cooling systems
• Dilution refrigerators
• Quantum computing infrastructure
• Pulse tube cryocoolers
• Helium management systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Helsinki

HQ country

Finland

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Cryogenic Systems Hardware Sales: Sale of dilution refrigerator measurement systems, pulse tube cryocoolers, 1K and 4K systems, and large-scale quantum infrastructure platforms
2. Measurement Infrastructure & Components: Sales of measurement infrastructure including wiring solutions, magnets, cryogenic electronics, and system options
3. Liquid Helium Management Products: Helium reliquefiers, liquid helium plants, helium recovery systems for laboratory helium conservation
4. Service & Maintenance (Total System Care): Total System Care service plans, customer support, training, health checks, relocation services, and spare parts for ongoing system maintenance
5. Bluefors Lab Services: Laboratory facilities available for customers to test and develop products using Bluefors equipment

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Bluefors designs, manufactures, and sells cryogen-free dilution refrigerator measurement systems, pulse tube cryocoolers, and helium management products that achieve ultra-low temperatures (millikelvin range) for quantum computing hardware and fundamental physics research. The company also provides large-scale quantum infrastructure platforms (KIDE and Modular Cryogenic Platforms) supporting 1,000+ qubits, plus measurement infrastructure (wiring, magnets, cryogenic electronics) and service offerings including Total System Care and Bluefors Lab facilities.

Product overview

Bluefors is a Finnish company that designs and manufactures cryogenic cooling solutions for quantum technology and scientific research. The product portfolio centers on dilution refrigerator measurement systems (XLDsl, LD, Ultra-Compact LD, SD, LH) that achieve ultra-low temperatures near absolute zero, required for quantum computing hardware. The company also offers the KIDE Cryogenic Platform for large-scale quantum computing supporting 1000+ qubits, and the Modular Cryogenic Platform for scalable quantum applications. Additional product lines include 1K systems (down to 0.5K), 4K systems (down to 4K), and the Cryogenic Wafer Prober for wafer-level testing. Following the acquisition of Cryomech (2023), Bluefors expanded to include pulse tube cryocoolers (PT series), Gifford-McMahon cryocoolers, liquid helium plants, helium reliquefiers (HeRL series), and helium recovery systems. Measurement infrastructure components include high-density wiring, coaxial wiring, twisted pair wiring, optical fibers, Cri/oFlex, microwave readout modules, cryogenic low-noise amplifiers, IR filters, and superconducting magnets (solenoid and vector). Services include Total System Care, Bluefors Lab access, training, health checks, and relocation services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cryomech: Cryocooler brand acquired by Bluefors, offering pulse tube cryocoolers and Gifford-McMahon cryocoolers for cryogenic cooling applications.

Products and services

• XLDsl Dilution Refrigerator Measurement System High-performance cryogen-free dilution refrigerator measurement system designed for demanding uses requiring larger experiment space and superior performance, used by quantum computing and physics research labs.
• LD Dilution Refrigerator Measurement System Bluefors' most sold dilution refrigerator measurement system, with versatility suitable for many different experimental needs in quantum and physics research.
• Ultra-Compact LD System All-in-one, ultra-compact cryogenic measurement system based on the LD platform, designed for superconducting qubit and spin qubit experiments.
• SD Dilution Refrigerator Measurement System Compact cryogen-free dilution refrigerator measurement system suitable for various experimental needs in quantum research and related applications.
• LH Dilution Refrigerator Measurement System Cryogen-free dilution refrigerator measurement system designed for specific experimental requirements in cryogenic research.
• XLDHe High Power System Cryogen-free helium-4 powered measurement system for experiments in the 1 K temperature range, delivering 200-700 mW cooling power at 1-1.2 K and base temperatures below 900 mK. Targeted at spin qubit quantum computing research and single photon detector applications.
• KIDE Cryogenic Platform Scalable cryogenic platform designed for large-scale quantum computing, supporting more than 1,000 qubits with a completely new architecture.
• Modular Cryogenic Platform Scalable cryogenic platform for the most demanding quantum applications, featuring a modular architecture.
• Cryogenic Wafer Prober Unique system for wafer-level testing of cryogenic quantum devices, electronics, and detectors at temperatures below 2 K.
• Pulse Tube Cryocoolers (Cryomech PT Series) Cryomech Pulse Tube Cryocoolers offering industry-leading capabilities with the widest variety and largest capacities available, including PT205, PT310, PT403, PT405, PT407, PT810, PT815, and PT820 models with cooling capacities ranging from 14W to 130W at various temperatures.
• Gifford-McMahon Cryocoolers (Cryomech) Cryomech Gifford-McMahon Cryocoolers providing high cooling capacities and robust performance for applications in the 20-80 K range.
• Helium Reliquefiers (Cryomech HeRL Series) Cryomech Helium Reliquefiers (HeRL series) intended for helium recovery from single helium-consuming devices, transforming NMR magnets into closed-loop, zero-boil-off systems with significantly reduced power consumption.
• Liquid Helium Plants (Cryomech) Cryomech Liquid Helium Plants allowing users to liquefy helium from any room temperature source, available in models LHeP15, LHeP22, LHeP28, LHeP55, and LHeP80.
• Helium Recovery System (Cryomech) Cryomech Helium Recovery Systems enabling laboratories to manage helium consumption and conservation with large-scale helium recovery capabilities.
• Compact Recovery System (Cryomech) Cost-effective Cryomech Compact Recovery System for helium management, especially for low boil-off applications.
• Liquid Nitrogen Plants Systems for producing liquid nitrogen, available in models LNP10, LNP20, LNP40, LNP60, LNP120, and LNP240.
• Total System Care Comprehensive service program covering maintenance, health checks, training, relocation services, and spare parts to ensure Bluefors and Cryomech systems operate at best performance levels with maximum uptime.
• Bluefors Lab Laboratory service providing access to Bluefors cryogenic systems at facilities in Delft (Netherlands) and Chicago (US) for customer product testing and development purposes.
• Customer Care Technical support and customer care services for Bluefors and Cryomech products, including product support contacts for both brands.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,500 systems installed and operational in labs worldwide
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Chicago Quantum ExchangecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 May 2026Bluefors joined Chicago Quantum Exchange in May 2026, a major quantum technology hub in the US.
• QphoXminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 March 2026Partnership to enable optical control of superconducting qubits using Bluefors dilution refrigerator systems.
• MAHE / Quantum-Hub@MAHEminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 March 2026Memorandum of Agreement signed March 2026 with Manipal Academy of Higher Education for Quantum-Hub@MAHE in Bengaluru, India. Bluefors provides dilution refrigeration systems for India's indigenous quantum hardware ecosystem aligned with India's National Quantum Mission.
• New York UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 March 2026Bluefors and NYU signed MoU to advance quantum information science.
• Rockgate (Tokyo, Japan)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 25 May 2023Acquisition of Tokyo-based distributor Rockgate to establish direct presence in Japan's cryogenics market. The deal aimed to enhance Bluefors' market proximity and customer service in Japan, a key growth region in cryogenics and quantum technology.
• Cryomech (Syracuse, New York)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 March 2023Completed acquisition of Cryomech, a cryocooler technology company based in Syracuse, New York. The acquisition enhances Bluefors' presence in the US and strengthens its portfolio in cryogenics, impacting industries such as quantum technology and fundamental physics research.
• InterlunecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBluefors is pursuing a $300 million deal with U.S. startup Interlune to source helium-3 from lunar mining by 2027. Interlune has secured approximately $500 million in helium-3 supply contracts including from Bluefors, with deliveries starting in 2028.
• IBM Quantum NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBluefors secured over 80 systems in purchase orders from IBM Quantum Network for quantum data center expansion.
• Google Quantum AIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBluefors secured over 80 systems in purchase orders from Google Quantum AI for quantum data center expansion.
• IQM Quantum ComputerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBluefors secured over 80 systems in purchase orders from IQM for quantum data center expansion.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Lake Shore Cryotronics: Lake Shore Cryotronics manufactures cryogenic temperature sensors, probes, and measurement instruments that complement dilution refrigerators. They sell into the same quantum computing and physics research customer base as Bluefors, often as a co-supplier of measurement infrastructure.
• Cryomagnetics: Cryomagnetics manufactures superconducting magnet systems and cryogenic accessories for research and NMR applications. They are a smaller competitor and ecosystem participant, supplying components and magnets that integrate into Bluefors-style dilution refrigerator systems.
• Zero Point Cryogenics: Zero Point Cryogenics is a Canadian manufacturer of dilution refrigerators targeting the quantum computing and research market. They are an emerging competitor to Bluefors, particularly in the North American academic and commercial quantum ecosystem.

Direct peers

• Advanced Research Systems: Advanced Research Systems designs and manufactures cryogenic equipment including closed-cycle cryostats and cryogenic systems for scientific research. They compete with Bluefors in the low-temperature research market, particularly for cryostats used in physics and materials science.
• Quantum Design: Quantum Design produces cryogenic measurement systems including the PPMS DynaCool and optical cryostats used in physics and materials research. While stronger in physical property measurement than ultra-low temperature, they are a recurring competitor in academic lab equipment budgets.
• ICE Oxford: ICE Oxford manufactures cryogenic systems and superconducting magnet cryostats for research and industrial applications including quantum computing. They are an emerging competitor in the dilution refrigerator and cryostat space, often targeting custom research installations.
• Oxford Instruments NanoScience: Oxford Instruments' NanoScience division manufactures dilution refrigerators and cryogenic measurement systems for quantum computing and physics research. It is the most direct head-to-head competitor to Bluefors, particularly with the Proteox and Pt systems, serving the same quantum computing and academic lab customer base.
• Janis Research: Janis Research designs and manufactures cryogenic systems including cryostats and continuous-flow and liquid-helium cryostats for physics and quantum research. They are a smaller, established competitor to Bluefors with overlap in research-grade cryogenic platforms.
• attocube systems: attocube systems manufactures cryogenic measurement systems, nanopositioners, and cryogenic microscopy tools for quantum and low-temperature physics research. They compete with Bluefors in dilution refrigerators and adjacent cryogenic instrumentation for academic and industrial quantum labs.
• Leiden Cryogenics: Leiden Cryogenics designs and manufactures ultra-low temperature dilution refrigerators for quantum technology and fundamental physics research. They compete directly with Bluefors in academic and research labs, particularly in Europe, with a focus on customization and high magnetic field applications.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BlueFors_Ltd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bluefors-cryogenics

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A2 records

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Bluefors