What PlasmaChem does

PlasmaChem GmbH is a privately held specialty nanomaterials company founded in 1993 in Mainz, Germany, by Dr. Alexey Kalachev and now headquartered at the Berlin-Adlershof science and technology park (Schwarzschildstr. 10, 12489 Berlin). The company develops, manufactures, and sells a broad portfolio of nanomaterials — including NanoDiamonds, NanoCeramics, NanoMetals, Carbon Nanotubes, Fullerenes, Quantum Dots, MOFs, Tectomers, and Phosphonic Acids — produced via detonation, vacuum, plasma, and ultra-thin film processes. Beyond raw nanopowders, PlasmaChem has developed proprietary downstream products: patented BioDiamond DLC coatings for cardio-implants, the TRIO line of drug-eluting surgical implants, the BIOMETAL family of bioabsorbable stent alloys, the ADDO engine oil additive based on nanodiamonds and nanographite, the Galvanoadditive line of metal-plating suspensions (with a disclosed contract with Siemens AG), and the EU-funded TINOHEAT plasmonic nanoceramic re-heaters for the plastics industry.

The company runs a hybrid go-to-market: direct e-commerce through shop.plasmachem.com (254 SKUs, unit pricing from €41 to €250+, custom synthesis, and contract analysis services including BET, DLS, and Tribology) combined with an exclusive global distributor network covering China, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Russia, plus marketing partners for ADDO and metal-plating additives in India. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time product sales of consumable nanomaterials to research institutions and industrial customers, supplemented by service revenue from analytical testing. The company serves four primary customer segments — R&D/research institutions, medical device manufacturers, industrial manufacturers (automotive, plastics, packaging, metal plating), and educational institutions — and maintains strategic R&D relationships with Humboldt University of Berlin (joint Single Molecular DNA-Chip development) and Bayer AG (the LensWista AG joint venture for super-long-wear contact lenses, formed in 2004). Operating geographies span EMEA, Asia-Pacific, and North America; the firm has 11–50 employees, is founder/owner-controlled with no disclosed institutional investors, and its only disclosed external funding is a €55,975 EISMEA grant in 2016.

Name

PlasmaChem

Legal name

PlasmaChem GmbH

Website

https://plasmachem.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PlasmaChem GmbH is a Berlin-based specialty nanomaterials manufacturer (founded 1993) producing NanoDiamonds, Quantum Dots, Carbon Nanotubes, DLC-coated cardio-implants, biodegradable stent alloys, and industrial additives, sold globally via online shop and an exclusive distributor network to R&D labs, medical device makers, and industrial manufacturers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Nanomaterials Sales: Production and sale of nanomaterials including NanoDiamonds, NanoCeramics, NanoMetals, Quantum Dots, Carbon Nanotubes, Fullerenes, Nanowires, and composite Nano-particles. Sold through online shop and distributor network globally.
2. Medical Device Coatings: BioDiamond DLC-coated cardio-implants with biocompatible nano-layered coating. Business established from 1998 with patented cardio-implants.
3. ADDO Engine Oil Additive: Motor oil additive on base of nanodiamonds and nanographite for engine oil applications. Result of 15 years of research on nano-enabled technologies.
4. Industrial Nano-Products: Ready-to-use industrial nano-products including nano-abrasives, additives to engine oils, and composite nano-suspensions for electroplating and electroless plating of metals. Business contract established with Siemens AG.
5. Contract Analysis Services: BET surface area measurements, particle size analysis by DLS, and tribology testing services. Offered to customers requiring material characterization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

PlasmaChem manufactures and sells nanomaterials (nanodiamonds, quantum dots, carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, nanowires, MOFs, phosphonic acids), medical device coatings and implants (BioDiamond DLC coatings, TRIO drug-eluting cardio-implants, BIOMETAL biodegradable stents), industrial additives (ADDO engine oil additive, Galvanoadditive for metal plating), and contract analytical services (BET, DLS, Tribology, custom synthesis). The company serves research, medical device, industrial, and educational customers globally through an online shop and exclusive distributor network.

Product overview

PlasmaChem is a nanomaterials technology company founded in 1993 in Mainz, Germany, now located in Berlin-Adlershof science park. The company's core offerings center on nanomaterials, detonation-, vacuum-, plasma-, and ultra-thin film technologies with biomedical and technical applications. The main product portfolio includes Nanomaterials (Nanopowders) such as NanoDiamonds, NanoCeramics, NanoMetals, Carbon Nanotubes, Fullerenes, and Quantum Dots; medical device coatings (BioDiamond DLC, TRIO cardio-implants, BIOMETAL biodegradable stents); industrial products (ADDO engine oil additives, Galvanoadditive for metal plating); analytical services (NanoLuminograph, BET, DLS, Tribology testing); and specialty materials (Tectomers, Metal-Organic Frameworks, Phosphonic Acids). In 2005, PlasmaChem launched the world's first General Catalogue of Nanomaterials. The company operates an e-commerce platform (shop.plasmachem.com) with over 254 products and maintains distributor networks across Asia, Europe, and globally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BioDiamond: Patented cardio-implants with biocompatible nano-layered Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC)-coating.
• ADDO
• TRIO
• NanoLuminograph

Products and services

• Nanomaterials (Nanopowders) Comprehensive portfolio of nanomaterials including NanoDiamonds, NanoCeramics, NanoMetals, Carbon Nanotubes, Fullerenes, and composite Nano-particles produced via detonation, vacuum, plasma, and ultra-thin film technologies. Sold to research institutions, universities, and R&D laboratories worldwide.
• BioDiamond (DLC Coatings) Patented cardio-implants with biocompatible nano-layered Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coating serving as an effective barrier against leakage of heavy metal ions (Cr, Ni, Mo) from surgical stainless steel 316L. Used in medical implant applications.
• TRIO Cardio-Surgical Implants New generation cardio-surgical implants with controlled drug elution and biosoluble (biodegradable) temporary implants for medical device manufacturers.
• ADDO Engine Oil Additive Engine oil additive based on nanodiamonds and nanographite that smooths moving engine parts, reducing friction and mechanical losses while improving engine power and decreasing fuel consumption. Used by automotive and industrial customers.
• Galvanoadditive Additives for metal plating and electroplating processes, including composite nano-suspensions for electroplating and electroless plating of metals. Used by industrial metal finishing customers, including Siemens AG.
• Quantum Dots Super-stable quantum dots for LED applications including multiple variants (CdSe/ZnS, CdTe, InP/Zn(Se,S), ZnCdSeS alloyed, ZnCuInS/ZnS, Perovskite PbMeX3, and AgInS2 (PLAIS)). Used for color correction in displays and true green light applications by electronics and display manufacturers.
• BIOMETAL Biodegradable Stents Bioabsorbable stents made from tailored biodegradable alloys based on natural components of substance exchange in human body. Full degradation requires few weeks without requiring long-term antiplatelet therapy. Used by medical device manufacturers.
• Tectomers Novel self-assembling molecules consisting of oligoglycine units linked to a common center. Used for coating surfaces with extra-regular 2-D or 3-D layers of monomolecular thickness for research and surface engineering applications.
• Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) Crystalline compounds consisting of metal ions coordinated to organic molecules forming porous three-dimensional structures. Products include ZIF-8, ZIF-67, Cu-BTC, and aluminium fumarate for gas storage, purification, and catalysis applications.
• Phosphonic Acids Alkylphosphonic acids with C6-C18 chain lengths widely used for production of nanoparticles such as quantum dots, nano-metals, and nano-ceramics, as well as for hydrophobic monolayer coatings.
• Educational Exploration Kits Quantum Dots Exploration Kit for schools and universities containing real quantum dot samples, cuvettes, UV lamps, and worksheets. Also includes Solar Cell educational kit with ITO glass substrates and TiO2 powder for teaching nanotechnology and renewable energy concepts.
• Custom Synthesis Service Custom synthesis services for new materials or modification of existing nanomaterials, offered to research institutions and industrial customers requiring tailored nano-materials.
• BET Surface Area Analysis Service Contract analysis service for specific surface area and porosity measurement using BET nitrogen multipoint analysis, offered to customers requiring material characterization.
• DLS Particle Size Analysis Service Contract analysis service for particle size measurement of colloidal solutions using dynamic light scattering, covering particles from few nm to 1 micron.
• Tribology Testing Service Contract analysis service for tribological testing of metals and metal coatings including friction coefficients, wear analysis, and microscopical track width measurement.
• NanoLuminograph Surface Analysis Novel and unique surface analysis method using nano-luminograph technology. Surface temperature transition (DSC-like) analysis tool with R&D phase completed, several patent applications filed and granted at national phase.
• Single Molecular DNA-Chip Single molecular chip where DNA, RNA, or other macromolecules are properly arranged in solid state array for direct nano-scopic sequencing of genomes, developed in cooperation with Humboldt University.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30% energy savings at just 10 ppm of new plasmonic nano-ceramic re-heater in PET
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bayer AGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004Joint venture LensWista AG founded in 2004 with Bayer IndustryService (Leverkusen) for manufacturing and promotion of contact lenses of super-long wear (>90 days/nights permanent usage). LensWista is located in Berlin/Adlershof.
• Humboldt University of BerlincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClose cooperation with Chair Physics of Macromolecules (Prof. J.P. Rabe) where PlasmaChem has own research facilities providing measurements using scanning probe techniques (AFM/STM/STS). Joint development of Single Molecular DNA-Chip technology for direct nanoscopic genome sequencing.
• Semiotic LLC, RussiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint development of low-price, high accuracy, mass production molecular diagnostic glycan microchip presented at Analytica 2016.
• TINOHEAT ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU-granted industrial project (Grant Agreement number 73248) developing plasmonic nanoceramic particles for plastic industry energy savings. Project demonstrates 30% energy savings in PET processing.
• HINAMOX ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean project (2010-2014) targeting understanding of nanoparticles' influence on environment and human health. PlasmaChem contributed expertise on metal oxide nanoparticles safety study involving 7 groups across Europe, Mexico and China.
• Max-Planck-Institute of Polymer ResearchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHistorical partnership where Dr. Alexey Kalachev worked at the institute before founding PlasmaChem, maintaining close relationship through joint R&D projects.
• Filgen Inc., JapancoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor agreement signed July 2016 for distribution of PlasmaChem's nanomaterials in Japan. Provides access to local R&D and industrial customers.
• 3D-nano Co., PolandcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor agreement signed January 2015 for distribution of nanomaterials in Poland. Allows access to local R&D and industrial customers.
• Beijing AnWeiAn Lab Equipment Co., Ltd., ChinacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor agreement signed December 2011 for distribution of nanomaterials and ADDO in China. Professional distributor for laboratory equipment and engineering goods.
• Reinste Nano Ventures Pvt. Ltd., IndiacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor agreement signed August 2011 for distribution of nanomaterials in India. Company associated with Indian Nanotechnology consortium.
• Emaxwin Technology Corp., TaiwancoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor agreement signed June 2012 for distribution of nanomaterials and ADDO in Taiwan. Professional distributor for nano products, optical, automotive, additive and chemical materials.
• iNexus Inc., South KoreacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor for nanomaterials in South Korea, operating from Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si. Participated with PlasmaChem at NANO KOREA 2013 exhibition.
• Bioportugal Lda, PortugalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor agreement signed May 2011 for distribution of nanomaterials in Portugal. Company focused on import and marketing of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics.
• Comercial Química Massó, S.A. (CQM), SpainminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor agreement signed April 2011 for distribution of nanomaterials in Spain. Leading company in Spain commercializing chemical specialities in agriculture, gardening, home products, glass, additives sectors.
• Vision Development Co., Ltd, JapanminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMarketing partner in Tokyo, Japan providing additional market access beyond exclusive distributor Filgen.
• KVM Chemical Consultancy, IndiaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMarketing partner in India specifically for ADDO and metal plating additives, based in Bangalore.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Strem Chemicals: Specialty chemicals catalog supplier (acquired by Ascensus) offering organometallics, nanomaterials, MOFs and catalysts to research institutions. Comparable to PlasmaChem in the chemistry-tools-and-nanomaterials segment with overlapping customer base and distribution model.
• US Research Nanomaterials (US-Nano): Houston-based catalog and bulk supplier of nanopowders, quantum dots, carbon nanotubes and specialty nanomaterials. Closely comparable to PlasmaChem in product breadth, online-shop distribution, and customer base of academic and industrial R&D buyers.
• SkySpring Nanomaterials: Houston-based supplier of nanopowders, quantum dots, graphene and CNT products for research and industrial applications. Closely mirrors PlasmaChem's online-shop-heavy distribution and broad nanomaterial product catalog.
• American Elements: US-based manufacturer and distributor of nanomaterials (nanopowders, quantum dots, nanotubes, MOFs) sold via catalog and direct sales to R&D and industrial customers. Directly comparable to PlasmaChem's core nanomaterials business model, including custom synthesis and bulk supply.
• Nanocs: New York-based nanomaterials manufacturer and distributor offering gold/silver nanoparticles, quantum dots, nanodiamonds, and PEG-derivatives. Directly comparable to PlasmaChem as a smaller catalog nanomaterials supplier serving R&D customers.
• Nanoshel: Manufacturer and global supplier of nanomaterials including metal nanoparticles, quantum dots, carbon nanotubes and MOFs. Comparable to PlasmaChem as a multi-category nanomaterials catalog supplier serving research and industrial customers worldwide.

Regional players

• Reinste Nano Ventures: India-based nanomaterials distributor and consortium member already serving as PlasmaChem's exclusive India distributor (signed 2011). Comparable as an India-focused nanomaterials supplier with overlapping catalog and customer base.

Emerging players

• Adámas Nanotechnologies: Specialist in fluorescent nanodiamonds (FNDs) for bioimaging, sensing and quantum applications. Comparable to PlasmaChem specifically in the single-digit nanodiamond product line, with overlap in diamond-based nanomaterials for research.
• NN-Labs (formerly NN Crystal/Cincinnati Nanoworks): Manufacturer of semiconductor quantum dots, nanoplatelets and perovskites for displays, lighting and biomedical imaging. Closely comparable to PlasmaChem's quantum dots division and shares display-industry customers.

Broad incumbents

• Sigma-Aldrich (Merck KGaA): Operates the world's largest research-chemicals catalog including an extensive nanomaterials portfolio. Comparable to PlasmaChem as a broad-line nanomaterials and specialty-chemicals supplier to R&D and industry, but with vastly greater scale, brand recognition and distribution reach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/plasmachem-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 PlasmaChem