Sprana
Sprana is a Lithuanian process analytics company that builds Near Infrared spectroscopy analyzers for real-time monitoring of nitrogen fertilizer production (UAN, Urea, DEF/AdBlue) at industrial plants, with technology validated by Stamicarbon and a recent expansion into AI-based PET preform inspection.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersVilnius, Lithuania
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Sprana does
Sprana (UAB Sprana) is a privately held Lithuanian industrial process analytics company founded in 2012, headquartered in Vilnius, that designs and manufactures Near Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy-based process analytical instrumentation for real-time on-line, in-line, and at-line monitoring of industrial processes. Its core product portfolio centers on the NIRSpec UAN Process Analyzer and NIRSpec Urea-s Analyzer, which provide continuous measurement of Urea Ammonium Nitrate (UAN) and Urea solution components — including Urea, Ammonium Nitrate, Water, and Biuret — with proprietary multivariate calibration models validated by Stamicarbon B.V. (Maire Tecnimont), the global urea technology licensing leader. Supporting offerings include the NIRSPEC-LAB Benchtop Analyzer, certified liquid calibration standards validated by FMTC at ppm accuracy, and tiered subscription maintenance services (BASIC €580/month, ADVANCED €830/month) with 24/7 hotline and expedited technician options. The company serves nitrogen fertilizer plant operators (UAN, Urea, DEF/AdBlue, Ammonia production) globally, with US field service delivered through partner Contech Control Services in La Porte, TX, and a more recent entry into plastics quality control via its machine vision and AI-based PET Preform Defect Inspection System (PDIS), completed in April 2024.
The business model combines one-time capital equipment sales of process and benchtop analyzers with recurring maintenance subscriptions, complemented by government and EU non-dilutive funding (€1.08M INVEGA loan in 2023, Eurostars grant in 2023, two Eureka projects 2025-2027, and an EU Regional Development Fund export competitiveness grant 2024-2026). Go-to-market is direct sales-led with a Business Development Manager supported by channel partnerships — primarily Stamicarbon for validation and customer referrals in licensed urea plants — and conference-driven lead generation at CRU Nitrogen + Syngas events in the USA and Europe. The company is founder-controlled (Dr. Raimundas Steponavičius as CEO, Mindaugas Steponavičius as co-founder), employs 1-10 people, and has no disclosed parent company, public listing, or institutional venture capital round beyond a 2019 Iron Wolf Capital seed of approximately $623K. Sprana (UAB Sprana) is a privately held Lithuanian industrial process analytics company founded in 2012, headquartered in Vilnius, that designs and manufactures Near Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy-based process analytical instrumentation for real-time on-line, in-line, and at-line monitoring of industrial processes. Its core product portfolio centers on the NIRSpec UAN Process Analyzer and NIRSpec Urea-s Analyzer, which provide continuous measurement of Urea Ammonium Nitrate (UAN) and Urea solution components — including Urea, Ammonium Nitrate, Water, and Biuret — with proprietary multivariate calibration models validated by Stamicarbon B.V. (Maire Tecnimont), the global urea technology licensing leader. Supporting offerings include the NIRSPEC-LAB Benchtop Analyzer, certified liquid calibration standards validated by FMTC at ppm accuracy, and tiered subscription maintenance services (BASIC €580/month, ADVANCED €830/month) with 24/7 hotline and expedited technician options. The company serves nitrogen fertilizer plant operators (UAN, Urea, DEF/AdBlue, Ammonia production) globally, with US field service delivered through partner Contech Control Services in La Porte, TX, and a more recent entry into plastics quality control via its machine vision and AI-based PET Preform Defect Inspection System (PDIS), completed in April 2024.
The business model combines one-time capital equipment sales of process and benchtop analyzers with recurring maintenance subscriptions, complemented by government and EU non-dilutive funding (€1.08M INVEGA loan in 2023, Eurostars grant in 2023, two Eureka projects 2025-2027, and an EU Regional Development Fund export competitiveness grant 2024-2026). Go-to-market is direct sales-led with a Business Development Manager supported by channel partnerships — primarily Stamicarbon for validation and customer referrals in licensed urea plants — and conference-driven lead generation at CRU Nitrogen + Syngas events in the USA and Europe. The company is founder-controlled (Dr. Raimundas Steponavičius as CEO, Mindaugas Steponavičius as co-founder), employs 1-10 people, and has no disclosed parent company, public listing, or institutional venture capital round beyond a 2019 Iron Wolf Capital seed of approximately $623K.
Sprana firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sprana
- Legal name
- UAB Sprana
- Website
- https://sprana.eu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Sprana is a Lithuanian process analytics company that builds Near Infrared spectroscopy analyzers for real-time monitoring of nitrogen fertilizer production (UAN, Urea, DEF/AdBlue) at industrial plants, with technology validated by Stamicarbon and a recent expansion into AI-based PET preform inspection.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sprana industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Process Analytical Instrumentation
- NAICS
- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)
- SIC
- Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Process Analytical Instrumentation (Gas analyzers, spectroscopy, pH/ORP, conductivity) (IMAGAFAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Nitrogen Fertilizers (Ammonia/Urea/UAN) (IMAEAEAA)
Keywords
Where Sprana is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Vilnius
- HQ country
- Lithuania
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Sprana 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
Revenue model
- Process Analyzer Equipment Sales: Sale of NIRSpec UAN and Urea-s process analyzers as industrial capital equipment installed in fertilizer plants for continuous on-line monitoring.
- Maintenance and Service Contracts: Recurring subscription-based maintenance services (BASIC €580/month, ADVANCED €830/month) including remote maintenance, calibration updates, diagnostics, and on-site support. Additional extras include 24/7 hotline support, expedited technician deployment, and site visits.
- Benchtop NIR Analyzers: Sale of benchtop laboratory instruments for routine analysis, with introductory pricing of €30,000 (25% discount from €40,000 market price) for first 10 customers, including extended warranty, calibration updates, and support.
- Liquid Calibration Standards: Certified reference materials for quality assurance, cross-checks, process control, and calibration verification. Standards for Urea, UAN, and DEF/AdBlue solutions with ppm-level accuracy.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | BASIC Remote Maintenance - €580/month |
| Subscription | Monthly | ADVANCED Remote and On-Site Maintenance - €830/month per measurement point |
| Subscription | Annual | 24/7 Hotline Support (Expert Level) - €3,200/year |
| Subscription | Other | Expedited Technician (48h) - €1,000 per 3 months |
| Subscription | Other | Extra Site Visit - €1,500/day |
| One time/ perpetual license | Other | NIRSPEC-LAB Benchtop Analyzer Kick-Start Offer - €30,000 |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Sprana product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sprana designs, manufactures, and sells Near Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy-based process analyzers for the continuous, real-time on-line measurement of chemical composition in nitrogen fertilizer production streams, including Urea Ammonium Nitrate (UAN), Urea solutions, and Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF/AdBlue). The portfolio includes industrial process analyzers, benchtop laboratory analyzers, certified liquid calibration standards, and recurring maintenance service packages.
Product overview
Sprana is a Process Analytical Instrumentation company specializing in applied molecular spectroscopy (UV-Vis-NIR-MIR) for on-line/in-line/at-line analysis and monitoring of industrial processes. The core product portfolio centers on the NIRSpec UAN Process Analyzer and NIRSpec Urea-s Analyzer for real-time continuous monitoring of nitrogen fertilizer production streams (UAN, Urea, DEF/AdBlue). Supporting products include the NIRSPEC-LAB Benchtop Analyzer for laboratory measurements, Liquid Calibration Standards for verification and calibration, and Maintenance Services packages. The company also developed a PET Preform Defect Inspection System using machine vision and AI for plastic packaging quality control. Technology is validated by Stamicarbon for nitrogen industry applications, with communication via MODBUS RTU/ASCII interface.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- NIRSpec UAN: On-line process analyzer for Urea Ammonium Nitrate composition measurement
- NIRSpec Urea-s
- NIRSPEC-LAB
Products and services
- NIRSpec UAN Process Analyzer On-line NIR process analyzer for continuous real-time measurement of all Urea Ammonium Nitrate (UAN) components including Urea, Ammonium Nitrate, Water, and Biuret concentrations, with accuracy up to 0.1% wt. Outputs data to DCS/SCADA for process and product quality control in nitrogen fertilizer plants.
- NIRSpec Urea-s Analyzer On-line analyzer for real-time continuous analysis of Urea Solution chemical composition, validated for Stamicarbon licensed technologies. Features proprietary multivariate calibration compensating for product temperature variation and turbidity, with accuracy up to 0.1% wt for all components.
- NIRSPEC-LAB Benchtop NIR Analyzer Benchtop NIR analyzer for routine laboratory measurements of liquid products in the Nitrogen Industry, purpose-built for UAN, DEF/AdBlue, and Urea Solutions. Double beam instrument with temperature-controlled cell holder, long-life light source, accuracy up to 0.06% wt, and results in 5 seconds.
- Liquid Calibration Standards Certified reference materials for Urea solutions, UAN, and DEF/AdBlue, with certified component concentration accuracy of 1 part per million (0.0001% wt). Standards validated with LC-MS method by FMTC - Lithuanian Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, used for calibration verification, quality assurance, and process control.
- Maintenance Services Care service packages including BASIC (€580/month) and ADVANCED (€830/month per measurement point) remote and on-site maintenance, plus add-ons for 24/7 hotline support, expedited technician deployment, and additional site visits. Includes calibration updates, diagnostics, and on-site support.
- PET Preform Defect Inspection System (PDIS) On-line inspection system using machine vision and AI technology for detection of black specks, inclusions, haziness, and yellowing in PET preforms containing recycled materials (rPET). Developed for plastic packaging quality control with 0.5mm defect detection capability.
Quantifiable outcome
- Estimated $3.8 million annual profitability increase for a single UAN plant (330 production days/year, 1700 tons/day capacity)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Sprana
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Sprana technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability5 records
Feature7 records
Sprana partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.
- Stamicarbon B.V.coreStamicarbon, the urea technology licensing leader (part of Maire Tecnimont), signed a technological cooperation agreement with Sprana on January 17, 2022, to co-develop Process Analytic Technology (PAT) solutions for Nitrogen Industry processes. The partnership validates Sprana's analyzers for Stamicarbon technologies and directs customers to the validated solution. First developments focus on online analysis of DEF/AdBlue and urea solution.
- Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (Vilniustech)coreEureka network project partner for '100% baseline technology' innovation. Vilniustech leads research activities with Sprana and Arenal to implement continuous 100% baseline technology in single beam spectroscopic analyzers. Project value €348,726, EUREKA funding €300,000. Duration 2025-2027.
- Vilnius UniversitycoreEureka project partner for 'NIR spectroscopy analysis for urea solutions' developing multicriteria calibration methods. Project value €357,276, funding €299,153. Duration 2025-2027. Vilnius University brings quantum chemistry and molecular dynamics expertise.
- UAB PutoksnissecondaryLithuanian PET preform producer collaborating on Norway Grants R&D project for PET preform defect inspection system. Successfully adapted 'Alfa' prototype to customer's production line in December 2022.
- IDN (International Development Norway)secondaryNorwegian consulting and projects management company collaborating with Sprana and UAB Putoksnis on Norway Grants project for PET preform quality control. Objective is to adapt and commercialize the resulting product in EU and world markets.
- ArenalsecondaryPartner in Eureka '100% baseline technology' project alongside Vilniustech and Sprana, contributing to internationalization of Lithuanian science.
- Contech Control Services, Inc.secondaryUS service and engineering partner based in La Porte, TX (2801 Sens Road, La Porte, TX 77571) providing on-the-ground installation, startup, and maintenance support for Sprana analyzers in North America.
- FMTC - Lithuanian Center for Physical Sciences and TechnologysecondaryValidates Sprana's liquid calibration standards with LC-MS method, ensuring certified accuracy of 1 part per million for concentration measurements in calibration fluids.
- Quantum Light Instruments Ltd.secondaryPartner in EU project for FTIR-ATR technology development for quantitative analysis of solid/bulk materials in industrial streams. Project implemented under EU's COVID-19 response program (2020-2022).
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Sprana competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Endress+Hauser: Endress+Hauser is a global leader in industrial process instrumentation, including on-line NIR and spectroscopic analyzers used in chemical, fertilizer, and adjacent process industries. It competes directly with Sprana for nitrogen fertilizer plant analyzer purchases with broader portfolio and larger installed base.
- Mettler Toledo: Mettler Toledo's Process Analytics division sells NIR and ReactIR on-line analyzers used in chemical production. Overlap with Sprana in applying NIR to liquid chemical/fertilizer compositions, targeting the same continuous-monitoring use cases.
- Bruker Optics: Bruker Optics manufactures FT-NIR and process spectrometers (MATRIX-F, MPA) used for at-line and on-line chemical composition analysis. Directly comparable to Sprana in offering NIR-based process analyzers with proprietary calibration software.
- BÜCHI Labortechnik: BÜCHI sells NIR process and at-line analyzers (NIRFlex, ProxiMate) for chemical and pharmaceutical applications, including liquid composition analysis. Closely comparable to Sprana in NIR technology stack and lab/process instrument portfolio.
Broad incumbents
- ABB: ABB supplies process analyzers (including NIR and FT-NIR) alongside its larger DCS and automation portfolio. Competes in nitrogen and specialty chemical plants where it can bundle analyzers with control systems, a broader play than Sprana.
- Siemens Process Analytics: Siemens sells SITRANS process analytics instruments (including NIR) bundled with its SIMATIC PCS 7 DCS. Competes with Sprana where customers seek integrated automation + analyzer solutions from a single supplier.
- Yokogawa Electric: Yokogawa supplies process analyzers alongside its CENTUM DCS, including spectroscopic instruments used in fertilizer and chemical plants. Indirect competition due to broader automation focus.
- Emerson (Rosemount Analytical): Emerson's Rosemount Analytical line includes process NIR and FT-NIR analyzers (e.g., PHA, MAX) sold to chemical and fertilizer producers. Competes with Sprana as part of Emerson's larger automation and reliability portfolio.
Emerging players
- Kett Electric Laboratory: Kett produces NIR-based composition analyzers used in industrial process and lab settings, with focus on moisture and composition measurement. Comparable as a specialized NIR competitor in process analytics, though with a different industry emphasis.
- Unity Scientific (KPM Analytics): Unity Scientific (now part of KPM Analytics) manufactures NIR process analyzers for food, feed, and industrial applications. Comparable as a smaller specialty NIR vendor pursuing adjacent verticals to Sprana's chemical/fertilizer focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Sprana social profiles
Digital presenceSprana financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sprana leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Sprana funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sprana 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 Sprana
What does Sprana do?
Sprana designs, manufactures, and sells Near Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy-based process analyzers for the continuous, real-time on-line measurement of chemical composition in nitrogen fertilizer production streams, including Urea Ammonium Nitrate (UAN), Urea solutions, and Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF/AdBlue). The portfolio includes industrial process analyzers, benchtop laboratory analyzers, certified liquid calibration standards, and recurring maintenance service packages.
Is Sprana a public or private company?
Sprana is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Sprana founded?
Sprana was founded in 2012. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Sprana based?
Sprana is headquartered in Vilnius, Lithuania, in the Europe region.
How does Sprana make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Process Analyzer Equipment Sales are the primary driver. The others are maintenance and Service Contracts, benchtop NIR Analyzers and liquid Calibration Standards.
Who are Sprana's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Endress+Hauser, Mettler Toledo, Bruker Optics and BÜCHI Labortechnik. Broad incumbents are ABB, Siemens Process Analytics, Yokogawa Electric and Emerson (Rosemount Analytical). Emerging players are Kett Electric Laboratory and Unity Scientific (KPM Analytics).
Does Sprana have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sprana.
What industry is Sprana in?
Sprana's product category is Process Analytical Instrumentation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGAFAE, Process Analytical Instrumentation (Gas analyzers, spectroscopy, pH/ORP, conductivity), with a secondary code of IMAEAEAA, Nitrogen Fertilizers (Ammonia/Urea/UAN). Its NAICS code is 334516 and its SIC code is 3826.