HeiQ Materials
HeiQ Materials is a Swiss deeptech materials innovator (founded 2005, ETH Zurich spin-off) developing proprietary platforms in biotechnology, advanced materials, and sustainable solutions. It serves 300+ global brand and industrial customers across textiles, cleaning, cosmetics, defense, and electronics through licensing, product sales, and innovation services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersSchlieren, Switzerland
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What HeiQ Materials does
HeiQ Materials is a Swiss deeptech materials innovator founded in 2005 as a spin-off from ETH Zurich, headquartered in Schlieren (Zurich), Switzerland, with 101–250 employees. The company develops and commercializes proprietary technology platforms across biotechnology, advanced materials, and sustainable solutions — notably HeiQ AeoniQ (climate-positive cellulosic filament yarn positioned as a biodegradable alternative to polyester/nylon), HeiQ Synbio (probiotic and synbiotic systems for cleaning, personal care, water, and textiles), HeiQ GrapheneX (porous graphene membranes for next-generation batteries), HeiQ Xpectra (spectrally selective transparent coatings for building, defense, and electronics), and HeiQ IoniX (programmable ionic liquids replacing hazardous industrial chemicals). It also markets a deep bench of branded textile treatments (HeiQ Cool, Fresh, Mint, Pure, Serica, Smart Temp, Allergen Tech, Skin Care, etc.) and operates the HeiQ Chrisal probiotic cleaning line acquired in 2021.
HeiQ generates revenue through three primary streams: (1) technology licensing and royalties (e.g., patent licenses to Oberthur Fiduciaire and VHP Security Paper for silver-based antimicrobial overprint varnishes used in banknotes and passports), (2) product sales of its biotechnology, textile, cleaning, coatings, and specialty chemical products through a global distribution network spanning Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia, Greater China, Africa, and Australasia, and (3) innovation services including joint material development, grant funding support, and material testing for enterprise customers. Go-to-market is enterprise-led via direct partnerships with 300+ global brands and industrial customers including Hugo Boss, Patagonia, Puma, Nespresso, Ecolab, Bosch, Siemens, and Coperni, supplemented by channel partners such as THE LYCRA COMPANY (which holds exclusive global distribution rights for AeoniQ) and regional distributors.
Strategically, HeiQ transitioned from public ownership (delisted from the London Stock Exchange in November 2024) to a private, founder- and anchor-investor-controlled entity, with co-founder/CEO Carlo Centonze (~19%) and Chairman Darren Morcombe (~22%, via Springtide Capital) as principal shareholders. The company has executed a series of inorganic moves — acquisitions of Chrisal (2021), RAS AG (€5.1M, 2021), and Tarn-Pure Holdings (2023) — and most recently spun out its flagship AeoniQ yarn business into a joint venture majority-owned by Portuguese pulp producer Altri SGPS (July 2025), while retaining interests alongside equity co-investors Hugo Boss and MAS Holdings under a US$100M, 5-year offtake agreement.
HeiQ Materials firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- HeiQ Materials
- Legal name
- HeiQ Ltd.
- Website
- https://heiq.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- HeiQ Materials is a Swiss deeptech materials innovator (founded 2005, ETH Zurich spin-off) developing proprietary platforms in biotechnology, advanced materials, and sustainable solutions. It serves 300+ global brand and industrial customers across textiles, cleaning, cosmetics, defense, and electronics through licensing, product sales, and innovation services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
HeiQ Materials industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Advanced Materials & Specialty Chemicals
- NAICS
- Paint and Coating Manufacturing (32551), Paint and Coating Manufacturing (325510), Fabric Coating Mills (31332), Fabric Coating Mills (313320), Textile and Fabric Finishing and Fabric Coating Mills (3133), Textile and Fabric Finishing Mills (313310), Paint, Coating, and Adhesive Manufacturing (3255)
- SIC
- Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851), Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890), Broadwoven Fabric Mills, Man Made Fiber & Silk (2221), Coating, Engraving & Allied Services (3470), Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860), Adhesives & Sealants (2891)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Textile, Leather & Paper Specialty Chemicals (IMAEABAM)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Coating & Finishing Chemicals Application (Resins/Softening/Water-Repellent/FR/Antimicrobial) (IMAOACAD), Coated & Laminated Industrial Fabrics (Tarpaulins/Awnings/Inflatables/Architectural Membranes) (IMAOADAI), Coated, Laminated & Membrane Fabrics (CRAAAMAF), Specialty & Functional Coatings (Anti-microbial/Anti-slip/Insulating) (IMAIAKAM), Packaging & Can Coatings (IMAEAGAF)
Keywords
Where HeiQ Materials is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Schlieren
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
HeiQ Materials business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Technology Licensing: Licensing of proprietary textile, antimicrobial, coating, and biotechnology technologies to industrial partners. Includes patent licensing for antimicrobial overprint varnishes.
- Product Sales: Sale of technology-driven products including biotechnology solutions, textile technologies, cleaning & laundry products, coatings, and specialty chemicals.
- Innovation Services: Joint material development, funding & grant support, innovation networks, and material testing services for partners.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
HeiQ Materials product offering
Product offeringCore offering
HeiQ Materials develops and manufactures proprietary deeptech materials and chemical technologies for diverse industries including textiles, cleaning, cosmetics, water treatment, defense, batteries, building & construction, and animal care. The company sells branded technology platforms (HeiQ AeoniQ™, HeiQ Synbio™, HeiQ GrapheneX™, HeiQ Xpectra™, HeiQ IoniX™) and finished textile/coating products to enterprise customers, while also offering innovation services (joint material development, funding/grant support, material testing) and licensing of patented technologies such as silver-based antimicrobial overprint varnishes.
Product overview
HeiQ Materials is a Swiss deeptech materials innovator founded in 2005 as an ETH Zurich spin-off, offering a diversified portfolio of technology-driven products organized into distinct categories: Biotechnology (probiotic and synbiotic chemistries), Textiles (thermoregulation and cosmetic treatments), Cleaning & Laundry (probiotic/synbiotic/biosurfactant products), Defense & Aerospace (transparent signature management coatings), Batteries & Electronics (next-gen lithium battery materials and transparent electrodes), Water Treatment (probiotic water systems), Building & Construction (HeiQ Xpectra thermal management coatings), Cosmetics & Personal Care (synbiotic ingredients including HeiQ Skin Care), Animal Care (microbial applications), Coatings & Polymers (advanced surface coatings), Industrial Chemicals, and Flooring & Carpets (surfactants and additives). The company also operates major technology platforms including HeiQ Xpectra (transparent multispectral coatings), HeiQ Synbio (synbiotic systems), HeiQ GrapheneX (porous graphene for batteries), HeiQ IoniX (programmable ionic liquids), and AeoniQ™ (climate-positive cellulosic yarn joint venture with Altri Group). Notable branded products include HeiQ Allergen Tech, HeiQ Cool, HeiQ Fresh, HeiQ Mint, HeiQ Pure, HeiQ Serica, HeiQ Smart Temp, HeiQ Synbio Dry, HeiQ X-Repell, and HeiQ VivoTech product lines.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- HeiQ AeoniQ: Climate-positive, biodegradable cellulosic filament yarn technology designed to replace polyester and nylon in textiles.
- HeiQ Synbio
- HeiQ GrapheneX
- HeiQ Xpectra
- HeiQ IoniX
- HeiQ Life Sciences
Products and services
- AeoniQ™ Yarn Climate-positive, biodegradable cellulosic filament yarn made from renewable eucalyptus-based pulp, designed as a sustainable alternative to polyester and nylon. Reduces CO2 emissions by at least 3.2 kg per kg of yarn compared to polyester. Fully biodegradable in marine, soil, freshwater, and industrial composting environments (certified by TÜV Austria and OEKO-TEX®). Targeted at apparel and home textile manufacturers including Hugo Boss, Patagonia, Lameirinho, Coperni, and others.
- HeiQ Xpectra™ Spectrally selective transparent coating platform for signature management, energy control, and climate control applications. Reduces heat transfer coefficient of walls by up to 25%. Also serves as a transparent conductive coating for flexible electronics such as organic photovoltaics (OPV). Targeted at building & construction, defense, and electronics manufacturers.
- HeiQ Synbio™ Synbiotic systems technology platform introducing combinations of probiotics and prebiotics into cleaning, personal care, water, and textile applications for balanced microbial ecosystems. Targeted at cleaning products, personal care, water treatment, and textile manufacturers.
- HeiQ GrapheneX™
Quantifiable outcome
- Reduces CO2 emissions by at least 3.2 kg per kg of yarn compared to polyester
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use HeiQ Materials
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
HeiQ Materials technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
HeiQ Materials partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
21 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- Oberthur FiduciairemajorPatent license agreement granting rights to use HeiQ's silver-based antimicrobial technology in overprint varnishes, including the Bioguard® range used for secured printing worldwide.
- VHP Security Paper B.V.majorSubsidiary of Oberthur Fiduciaire, granted license for antimicrobial overprint varnish technology for high-security paper products including banknotes and passports.
- Altri SGPScorePortuguese sustainable pulp producer acquiring majority stake in AeoniQ™ to build world's first industrial AeoniQ plant at Altri's Caima pulp mill in Portugal starting 2026. Initial capacity of 1,750 tons per year. Vertical integration from eucalyptus-based pulp to finished yarn. Joint venture named 'Aeon iQ' combines Altri's industrial expertise with HeiQ's technological capability.
- THE LYCRA COMPANYcoreAcquired exclusive distribution rights for AeoniQ™ textile yarn globally, supporting market access and commercialization of the climate-positive fiber.
- Tarn-Pure Holdings LtdmajorAcquired UK-based Tarn-Pure Holdings Ltd, a Welsh company, to enhance portfolio of sustainable hygiene products through integration of metallic copper and silver technologies. Aligned with increased EU market demand for non-synthetic antimicrobials.
- RAS AGcoreAcquired Germany-based RAS AG for €5.1 million to expand market share in hygiene solutions and antimicrobial technologies. RAS AG develops antimicrobial, hygiene-enhancing additives, and durable coatings, serving over 50 customers including Bosch and Siemens.
- ArchromamajorPartnership to bring revolutionary antimicrobial and odor-control solutions to the textile industry announced January 2026.
- PatagoniamajorIndustry partner using HeiQ technologies for sustainable apparel production.
- PumamajorIndustry partner using HeiQ textile technologies.
- EcolabmajorIndustry partner in cleaning and hygiene solutions using HeiQ technologies.
- NespressomajorIndustry partner utilizing HeiQ technologies.
- Hugo BossmajorGerman fashion brand using HeiQ technologies and co-investor in AeoniQ™.
- Leonhard KurzminorIndustry partner in decorative coating and finishing technologies.
- BoschmajorCustomer acquired through RAS AG acquisition - uses antimicrobial and hygiene-enhancing additives.
- SiemensmajorCustomer acquired through RAS AG acquisition - uses antimicrobial and hygiene-enhancing additives.
- RiopeleminorDevelopment partner for AeoniQ™ textile applications.
- ImpetusminorDevelopment partner for AeoniQ™ textile applications.
- LameirinhominorDevelopment partner featuring AeoniQ™ in vegan silk bedding line presented at Heimtextil 2025.
- Aunde GroupminorDevelopment partner for AeoniQ™ textile applications.
- AmannminorDevelopment partner for AeoniQ™ textile applications.
- Market Research FutureminorMarket research firm providing industry data on precision fermentation market projections.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves2 records
Expansion highlights6 records
HeiQ Materials competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Archroma: Swiss-headquartered global leader in textile dyes, specialty chemicals, and coating solutions. Announced a partnership with HeiQ in January 2026 to deliver antimicrobial and odor-control textile technologies, indicating direct overlap in textile chemistry markets and customer base.
- CHT Group: German specialty chemicals company producing textile auxiliaries, dyes, silicones, and functional coatings for textiles. Direct competitor to HeiQ in textile finishing chemistry, with overlapping customers in performance apparel and home textiles.
- DyStar: Specialty chemical manufacturer focused on dyes, colorants, and auxiliaries for the textile industry. Competes directly with HeiQ's textile finishing chemicals and serves the same global apparel and home textile brands.
- Rudolf Group: German specialty chemicals supplier focused on textile finishing, including antimicrobial, hydrophobic, and soft-handle technologies. Closely comparable to HeiQ's portfolio of textile performance additives and finishing chemistries.
Emerging players
- Spiber: Japanese biotech company producing Brewed Protein™ fibers as sustainable alternatives to animal-derived and synthetic materials. Comparable to HeiQ AeoniQ in targeting apparel brands with next-generation bio-based textile fibers.
- Bolt Threads: US-based biotech company developing bio-based and lab-grown fibers (e.g., Mylo™, b-silk™) for apparel. Directly comparable as a sustainable fiber innovator competing with HeiQ AeoniQ in replacing conventional polyester and silk.
- Carbios: French biotech company developing enzymatic recycling technologies for PET plastics and textile fibers. Adjacent and emerging player in the sustainable textile materials space, with technology complementary to HeiQ's biodegradable fiber strategy.
Broad incumbents
- Solvay: Belgian specialty chemicals major with materials, coatings, and biotechnology operations. Comparable as a larger specialty chemicals player adjacent to HeiQ's ionic liquids, advanced materials, and industrial chemistry businesses.
- Huntsman Textile Effects: Division of Huntsman Corporation providing dyes, textile chemicals, and digital inks to global apparel brands. As a much larger incumbent in textile chemistry, it competes with HeiQ across antimicrobial, finishing, and performance chemical offerings for major apparel customers.
- Croda International: UK-listed global specialty chemicals company serving personal care, life sciences, and industrial markets. Comparable to HeiQ in personal care ingredients, antimicrobial technologies, and performance specialty chemistries across multiple consumer verticals.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
HeiQ Materials social profiles
Digital presenceHeiQ Materials compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
HeiQ Materials financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
HeiQ Materials leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles18 records
HeiQ Materials subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
HeiQ Materials funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
HeiQ Materials M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A3 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about HeiQ Materials
What does HeiQ Materials do?
HeiQ Materials develops and manufactures proprietary deeptech materials and chemical technologies for diverse industries including textiles, cleaning, cosmetics, water treatment, defense, batteries, building & construction, and animal care. The company sells branded technology platforms (HeiQ AeoniQ™, HeiQ Synbio™, HeiQ GrapheneX™, HeiQ Xpectra™, HeiQ IoniX™) and finished textile/coating products to enterprise customers, while also offering innovation services (joint material development, funding/grant support, material testing) and licensing of patented technologies such as silver-based antimicrobial overprint varnishes.
Is HeiQ Materials a public or private company?
HeiQ Materials is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was HeiQ Materials founded?
HeiQ Materials was founded in 2005. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is HeiQ Materials based?
HeiQ Materials is headquartered in Schlieren, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does HeiQ Materials make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Technology Licensing is the primary driver. The others are product Sales and innovation Services.
Who are HeiQ Materials's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Archroma, CHT Group, DyStar and Rudolf Group. Emerging players are Spiber, Bolt Threads and Carbios. Broad incumbents are Solvay, Huntsman Textile Effects and Croda International.
Does HeiQ Materials have an API?
No public API is recorded for HeiQ Materials.
What industry is HeiQ Materials in?
HeiQ Materials's product category is Advanced Materials & Specialty Chemicals. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAEABAM, Textile, Leather & Paper Specialty Chemicals, with a secondary code of IMAOACAD, Coating & Finishing Chemicals Application (Resins/Softening/Water-Repellent/FR/Antimicrobial). Its NAICS code is 32551 and its SIC code is 2851.