SINTEF

What SINTEF does

SINTEF is one of Europe's largest independent applied research institutes, founded in 1950 in Trondheim, Norway, and operating with 2,200 employees across 80 nationalities. The institute delivers world-leading research across 12 areas including renewable energy, ocean space, materials, digitalisation, sustainable production, and transport and mobility, serving 3,000+ customers annually through 6,000+ commissioned projects. SINTEF operates through five wholly-owned research subsidiaries (SINTEF Community, SINTEF Digital, SINTEF Energi, SINTEF Industri, SINTEF Ocean) plus regional entities across Norway and a Brussels office, with unique assets including Norway's only independent complete microchip fabrication line (MiNaLab).

The institute's underlying technology portfolio spans proprietary innovations such as the Ocean Charger inductive magnetic vessel charging system, mined lined rock cavern hydrogen storage, LiDAR wind measurement for wind-assisted propulsion, HDMax catalysts for plastic pyrolysis upgrading, thermal batteries using recycled aluminum, and AI-driven air traffic control assistance. Notable legacy inventions include GSM mobile technology, electronic airbag sensors (33 million units shipped), multiphase oil transport, Ugelstadkulene polymer particles, and green concrete with up to 80% lower CO2. SINTEF's business model combines professional services revenue from commissioned research contracts with substantial managed services revenue from EU research programme coordination (Horizon Europe, Clean Hydrogen Partnership), national Norwegian research funding (Research Council of Norway, NOK 1.1B quantum initiative), and bilateral government partnerships (e.g., India-Norway 2026-2029).

Customer segments span industrial enterprises (Equinor, Yara, SalMar, Odfjell, PostNord, Rolls-Royce, Raufoss Technology), government agencies (Norwegian Defence Estate Agency, CSIR India, Research Council of Norway), EU research programmes, and academic institutions, with NTNU as a foundational partner since 1950. Distribution is relationship-based through direct commissioned research, EU consortium coordination, government-to-government bilateral partnerships, and university collaboration, with technology commercialization channeled through SINTEF TTO.

Name

SINTEF

Legal name

SINTEF

Website

https://sintef.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

SINTEF is one of Europe's largest independent applied research institutes, employing 2,200 people across 12 research areas and delivering 6,000+ commissioned projects annually for 3,000+ industrial, government, and academic clients across Norway and Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Applied Research and Development Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Siting, Resource Assessment & Environmental Tech R&D (Remote Sensing, Wake Modeling, Wildlife Mitigation) (EUAMAOAJ)

Keywords

• Applied research services
• Industrial research and development
• Materials science research
• Renewable energy research
• Maritime and ocean research

Headquarters

HQ city

Trondheim

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices15 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Commissioned Research Projects: SINTEF performs thousands of commissioned research assignments annually for both small and large customers across industrial, government, and academic sectors. Revenue derived from research service contracts.
2. EU Research Programme Funding: Coordinating major EU-funded projects including Horizon Europe and Clean Hydrogen Partnership grants. Examples: H2Accelerate TRUCKS (€30M), NORHyWAY (€20M), HyCavern (€20M), SECASSURED (Horizon Europe), P4Q (€50M).
3. Bilateral Government Research Partnerships: Government-to-government research collaborations such as India-Norway partnership (2026-2029) covering ocean energy, CCUS, bio-based materials. CSIR funding of approximately INR 341 lakh.
4. National Research Funding: Norwegian government funding including NOK 244M for quantum technology research centres and NOK 1.1B planned quantum investment. Research Council of Norway grants.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

SINTEF is an independent research institute delivering commissioned applied research and innovation services across 12 technology areas (building and construction, sustainable production, digitalisation, renewable energy, ocean space, health, climate, food and agriculture, materials, microsystems and nanotechnology, society and security, transport and mobility). The institute performs 6,000+ research projects annually for 3,000+ customers, leveraging world-leading laboratories and developing proprietary technologies such as the MiNaLab microchip fabrication line, Ocean Charger inductive marine charging, and hydrogen value chain solutions.

Product overview

SINTEF is one of Europe's largest independent research institutes, offering a broad portfolio of research services, technical standards, and knowledge products rather than a unified software product. Its core offerings include Byggforskserien (building quality standards) and Våtromsnormen (wet room construction standards) as foundational reference works for the construction industry, complemented by the SINTEF Store for publications and courses, and an extensive publications database with over 13,000 research titles. The institute operates across multiple specialized research areas including materials, ocean space, renewable energy, digitalization, and health, providing consulting services, laboratory facilities, and project collaboration to industry clients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Byggforskserien A comprehensive building quality standard series providing documented solutions for architects, engineers, contractors, and craftsmen. Known as the building industry's quality norm, it has been published for nearly 70 years and serves as the foundational reference work for the Norwegian construction industry.
• Våtromsnormen Building industry standard for designing and constructing watertight and functional wet rooms with high quality and long lifespan. Used by Norwegian building professionals for compliant wet-room construction.
• SINTEF Store Online platform for purchasing SINTEF publications, professional books, and digital courses covering research and technical documentation. Customers can buy individual standards, books, and courses online.
• SINTEF Publications Database Digital database containing over 13,000 titles including journal articles, papers, books, research reports, and presentations from SINTEF research activities. Provides searchable access to SINTEF's research output for industrial, academic, and government users.

Quantifiable outcome

• H2Accelerate TRUCKS: Deploying 125 hydrogen trucks across 6 European countries by 2028
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 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

Feature10 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kongsberg Maritime (AWESOME Project)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2026AWESOME (Advanced Wind Energy System Optimization & Monitoring for Efficiency) - EU Horizon Europe project led by Kongsberg Maritime with 14-15 European partners including SINTEF. Deploying wind-assisted propulsion systems on Odfjell chemical tanker and Neoliner Origin RoRo vessel to reduce maritime emissions.
• HyCavern ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 June 2026European consortium of 15 partners coordinated by SINTEF Industry to develop next-generation underground hydrogen storage using mined, lined rock caverns. Three-year project developing advanced steel liner solutions, low-carbon concrete systems, simulation tools, monitoring technologies, and GIS-based site selection toolkit. Supported by Clean Hydrogen Partnership.
• Power to Hydrogen (P2H2)coreTechnology or Integration · 29 May 2026SINTEF ordered half-megawatt AEM electrolyzer system from Power to Hydrogen for deployment at Tiller facility in Q4 2026. System produces green hydrogen for PYROCO2 EU Green Deal project (gas fermentation converting CO2 to acetone). Second commercial project for P2H2 following landmark Port of Antwerp-Bruges installation.
• DIALOG Project ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2026EU-funded project coordinated by SINTEF investigating safe integration of AI in aviation to support Air Traffic Controllers. Consortium includes Deep Blue, DSNA, ONERA, Radboud University, and DFS. Developed Teamwork Assistant - AI-driven system working alongside human operators.
• NORHyWAYcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 May 2026Green hydrogen project led by RENERGY through FI - Fremtidens Industri with SINTEF as technical coordinator. €963M planned investments, €20M EU funding from Clean Hydrogen Partnership. Target: 37,081 tonnes green hydrogen/year by 2030, cutting 345,000 tonnes CO2 annually. 16 industrial partners across production, storage, distribution, end-use including maritime transport and heavy-duty mobility. Norway's first Large Scale Hydrogen Valley.
• India-Norway Research Partnership (CSIR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2026Extended research partnership between India and Norway for 2026-2029 covering ocean energy, CCUS, and bio-based materials. CSIR providing funding of approximately INR 341 lakh (Rs 3.41 crore). Part of Prime Minister Modi's five-nation tour agreements.
• VardcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 May 2026SINTEF and Vard developed Ocean Charger - inductive magnetic charging system enabling electric vessels to recharge directly at sea without physical contact. Targets Service Operation Vessels for wind farms and Platform Supply Vessels. Vard envisions wireless charging infrastructure along Norwegian coast.
• Rolls-RoycecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 February 2026Partnership with Rolls-Royce to develop hybrid aircraft engine targeting potential 30% CO2 emission reduction for domestic flights. SINTEF developing electrical insulation for engine stator to withstand high voltages and frequencies.
• H2Accelerate TRUCKS ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 January 2026Europe's largest EU-funded project for zero-emission hydrogen-powered heavy-duty transport, coordinated by SINTEF and backed by €30 million from Clean Hydrogen Partnership. Deploying 125 hydrogen trucks across 6 European countries by 2028. New partners include Scania CV AB, Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility Germany, and Hyliko. TEAL Mobility (TotalEnergies/Air Liquide JV) strengthening refuelling infrastructure.
• SECASSURED ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 January 2026European research and innovation project funded under Horizon Europe developing AI-based tools for securing modern software and hardware systems. 19 organisations from 10 European countries coordinated by SINTEF AS. Partners include Fraunhofer FOKUS, Aalto University, NTNU, CERTH, and industry players from telecom, energy, aerospace sectors.
• P4Q (Photonics for Quantum)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 January 2026Europe-wide €50M pilot project (€25M EU + €25M national governments) with 29 partners across 12 countries. Developing quantum photonic chip manufacturing standards and production techniques to transition quantum technologies from lab to industrial production.
• Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 November 2025Partnership to deploy AI solutions for elderly care. SINTEF providing research expertise, TCS providing technology deployment capabilities.
• NTNU (Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing primary university partner since SINTEF's founding in 1950. Joint research facilities including MiNaLab (Norway's only independent complete microchip fabrication line), tribology laboratory. SINTEF established with NTH (now NTNU) and maintains deep collaboration on research, talent development, and technology transfer.
• MIT Sea GrantminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMIT Sea Grant AquaCulture Shock program bringing MIT students to SINTEF Ocean's Aquaculture Robotics and Autonomous Systems Laboratory in Trondheim. Students work on AI-based fish feeding optimization and underwater robotic systems for net repair.
• Nordic Energy ResearchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSINTEF Executive Vice President Nils Røkke participated in COP30 panel discussing Nordic-South American clean hydrogen collaboration. Nordic region has 167 hydrogen projects with 8M tonnes/year potential; Latin America has 7M tonnes/year potential.
• Clariant and BorealiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPilot-scale project in Norway to upgrade pyrolysis oil from plastic waste into cracker-grade feedstock using Clariant's HDMax and HYDEX catalysts. Validates closed-loop pathway for circular plastics economy.
• Norwegian Quantum Technology EcosystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFour new research centres for quantum technology with NOK 244M investment. Involves Simula, University of Oslo, SINTEF, NTNU with industry partners IBM Norway, Kongsberg Discovery, DNB, Statkraft, Hydro, Telenor, Toshiba. Part of NOK 1.1B national quantum initiative.
• REFHYNE ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerShell-led 100 MW hydrogen electrolyzer plant at Wesseling, Germany. SINTEF AS part of consortium with ITM Power, Linde, TECNALIA, ERM, CONCAWE. Supported by EU Horizon 2020. Plant producing 16,000 tonnes hydrogen annually from 2027.

Scale indicators20 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research): TNO is the Dutch applied research organization with ~3,500 employees focused on transitions in energy, circular economy, defense, and digital. Closely comparable to SINTEF in size, non-profit foundation structure, and revenue model mix of contract research plus public funding; both participate heavily in EU Horizon programs.
• CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation): CSIRO is Australia's national science agency with ~5,500 employees operating across energy, manufacturing, agriculture, and digital. Comparable government-funded applied research model with similar commissioned research and consortium leadership functions.
• RISE Research Institutes of Sweden: RISE is Sweden's state-owned research and innovation partner with ~3,300 employees across multiple applied research areas. Directly comparable Nordic peer with similar multi-disciplinary scope, public funding mix, and industry contract research model.
• National Research Council Canada (NRC): NRC is Canada's primary national R&D organization with ~3,800 employees across 14 research centers covering advanced manufacturing, energy, health, and ocean technology. Closely comparable to SINTEF in mandate, structure, and customer base (industrial + government).
• VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: VTT is Finland's state-owned applied research organization with ~2,200 employees working across bioeconomy, energy, industry, and digital. Highly comparable Nordic peer with similar revenue mix and EU project participation; both serve industrial clients and government agencies with commissioned research.
• CEA (French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission): CEA is one of France's largest public research organizations with ~20,000 employees focused on energy, defense, information technology, and health. Comparable to SINTEF's energy and decarbonization R&D (hydrogen, CCUS, renewables) at greater scale; both coordinate major EU-funded consortium projects.
• Fraunhofer Society: Germany's Fraunhofer Society is the largest applied research organization in Europe with ~30,000 employees across 76 institutes, performing contract research for industry and government. Directly comparable to SINTEF in mission, funding mix (public + private), and institute structure; both operate as non-profit applied research foundations with similar Horizon Europe participation.

Broad incumbents

• DLR (German Aerospace Center): DLR is Germany's national aeronautics and space research center with ~10,000 employees covering energy, transport, aerospace, and security. Comparable applied research structure and EU project coordination role; partial overlap with SINTEF's transport, energy, and maritime research areas.
• CSIC (Spanish National Research Council): CSIC is Spain's largest public research institution with ~13,000 employees spanning natural sciences, engineering, and humanities. Broader academic-leaning peer to SINTEF with overlapping applied research in materials, energy, and ocean sciences; comparable government-funded R&D model.
• Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI): ITRI is Taiwan's leading applied research organization with ~6,000 employees focused on industrial technology, electronics, and materials. Comparable in mission of translating R&D into industrial application with broader commercial orientation; less direct overlap than European peers but similar institute structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SINTEF
• Facebookfacebook.com/sintefforskning
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sintef
• Instagraminstagram.com/sintef_forskning

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Subsidiaries12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments2 records

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

Frequently asked questions about SINTEF