Surrey NanoSystems
Surrey NanoSystems is a UK nanomaterials company that manufactures Vantablack, a proprietary carbon nanotube ultra-black coating absorbing up to 99.965% of light, sold to aerospace, optics, automotive, infrared, and design customers via direct sales and a global distribution partnership with Ellsworth Adhesives.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersNewhaven, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Surrey NanoSystems does
Surrey NanoSystems is a UK-based nanomaterials company founded in 2005 and headquartered in Newhaven that develops and manufactures Vantablack, a proprietary carbon nanotube metamaterial coating reported to absorb up to 99.965% of light. Its product portfolio is organized into three series: the VB 100 Series (carbon nanotube metamaterials grown via proprietary RF plasma processing for unrivalled infrared and optical absorption with super-hydrophobic properties), the VB 200 Series (metamaterial-based paint with fast curing and low outgassing for stray light suppression), and the VB 300 Series (carbon nanotube-free spray-applicable formulation), with Vantablack 310 positioned as a durable aerospace and optics variant. The underlying technology combines vertically aligned carbon nanotube forests with RF plasma deposition and metamaterial chemistry to deliver low reflectance across visible to far-infrared wavelengths and across all angles of incidence.
The company serves five customer verticals: aerospace and optics/imaging as primary segments, and automotive, infrared sensing, and design/effects as secondary segments, addressing problems such as stray light contamination in satellite optics and telescopes, thermal management in infrared systems, and ultra-dark visual aesthetics in luxury and architectural applications. Revenue is generated through direct enterprise sales of Vantablack coatings and, as announced in January 2026, through a global distribution partnership with Ellsworth Adhesives that broadens reach into aerospace and optics channels. Pricing is custom quotation-based with multi-year contracts, and the company maintains a small headcount of 11-50 employees, consistent with a specialist industrial materials business rather than a high-volume manufacturer. The Vantablack trademark is registered, and the company has been funded by UK institutional investors including IP Group, Octopus Ventures, Parkwalk Advisors, and New Wave Ventures, with the largest disclosed round of $7.06 million in 2012.
Surrey NanoSystems firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Surrey NanoSystems
- Legal name
- Surrey NanoSystems
- Website
- https://surreynanosystems.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Surrey NanoSystems is a UK nanomaterials company that manufactures Vantablack, a proprietary carbon nanotube ultra-black coating absorbing up to 99.965% of light, sold to aerospace, optics, automotive, infrared, and design customers via direct sales and a global distribution partnership with Ellsworth Adhesives.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Surrey NanoSystems industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Nanomaterial Coatings
- NAICS
- Paint and Coating Manufacturing (32551), Paint, Coating, and Adhesive Manufacturing (3255), Research and Development in Nanotechnology (541713)
- SIC
- Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Carbon Black & Bulk Pigments (IMAEAAAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Acrylics & Methacrylates (PMMA, Acrylic Resins) (IMAEANAG)
Keywords
Where Surrey NanoSystems is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Newhaven
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
Surrey NanoSystems business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Vantablack Product Sales: Surrey NanoSystems generates revenue through the sale of ultra-black coating products across multiple series (VB 100, VB 200, VB 300), each designed for different application requirements and ease of distribution. The company sells directly and through distribution partners globally.
- Distribution Partnership Revenue: Revenue flows through the global distribution partnership with Ellsworth Adhesives for Vantablack 310 and related ultra-black coatings, expanding market reach in aerospace and optics sectors.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom quotation-based pricing for Vantablack products |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
Surrey NanoSystems product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Surrey NanoSystems manufactures and sells Vantablack, the world's blackest coating that absorbs up to 99.965% of light, based on proprietary carbon nanotube metamaterial technology processed via RF plasma. The offering spans three core product series (VB 100 carbon nanotube metamaterials, VB 200 metamaterial-based fast-curing paint, and VB 300 carbon nanotube-free sprayable coatings) plus the Vantablack 310 variant, sold to aerospace, space optics, automotive, infrared sensing, and design customers globally through direct sales and the Ellsworth Adhesives distribution partnership.
Product overview
Surrey NanoSystems offers Vantablack®, the world's blackest coating technology that absorbs up to 99.965% of light. The product portfolio comprises three distinct series: the VB 100 Series (carbon nanotube metamaterials with RF plasma processing for unrivalled IR and optical absorption), the VB 200 Series (metamaterial-based paint with fast curing for stray light suppression), and the VB 300 Series (carbon nanotube-free formulation designed for broader distribution). These products serve diverse applications across aerospace, space optics, automotive, infrared sensing, and design effects industries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- VB 100 Series: Carbon nanotube metamaterials for RF plasma processed unrivalled IR and optical absorbers with super-hydrophobic properties.
- VB 200 Series
- VB 300 Series
- Vantablack® 310
Products and services
- Vantablack 100 Series Carbon nanotube metamaterial coating processed via RF plasma that delivers the lowest reflectance from visible to far infrared across all angles of incidence, with super-hydrophobic properties for aerospace, space optics, and scientific applications.
- Vantablack 200 Series Metamaterial-based paint coating with fast curing and low outgassing designed for stray light suppression in aerospace, automotive, and infrared applications.
- Vantablack 300 Series Carbon nanotube-free ultra-black metamaterial paint suitable for standard spray application, designed for broader distribution into aerospace and optical applications.
- Vantablack 310 High-performance ultra-black coating offering durability, low outgassing, environmental compliance, and ease of application using standard spray techniques, for aerospace and optics customers distributed globally through Ellsworth Adhesives.
Quantifiable outcome
- Absorbs 99.965% of light
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Surrey NanoSystems
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Surrey NanoSystems technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Surrey NanoSystems partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Ellsworth AdhesivescoreSurrey NanoSystems announced a global distribution collaboration with Ellsworth Adhesives to distribute Vantablack 310 and other ultra-black coatings worldwide. The partnership leverages Ellsworth's established distribution network to serve aerospace and optics customers with high-performance ultra-black coatings offering durability, low outgassing, and environmental compliance. The products can be applied using standard spray techniques.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Surrey NanoSystems competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Acktar Ltd: Israeli manufacturer of Acktar Black ultra-black and high-emissivity coatings for space, optics, and defense applications. Closest direct competitor to Vantablack, with overlapping performance benchmarks and customer base.
Emerging players
- Haydale Graphene Industries: UK-based advanced materials company specializing in functionalized graphene and other carbon nanomaterials. Comparable scale and technology platform, with overlapping applications in aerospace coatings and composites.
- Cambridge Nanosystems: UK-based carbon nanomaterial producer with expertise in CVD-grown carbon nanotubes and graphene. Similar technology foundation and UK base to Surrey NanoSystems, addressing aerospace and energy applications.
- NanoXplore: Canada-based graphene and carbon nanomaterial supplier serving automotive, aerospace, and industrial markets. Comparable emerging player in functional carbon materials with downstream coatings and composites applications.
- Angstron Materials: US-based producer of graphene nanoplatelets and carbon nanomaterials for aerospace, automotive, and coatings applications. Comparable technology platform and emerging-stage profile.
Broad incumbents
- PPG Industries (Aerospace Coatings): Global coatings major with a dedicated aerospace coatings business serving OEMs and MRO customers. Significantly larger and broader, but competes for the same aerospace coatings wallet share with Surrey NanoSystems' VB 200/310 lines.
- AkzoNobel Aerospace Coatings: Global paints and coatings major with a dedicated aerospace coatings portfolio. Represents the broad-incumbent alternative for aircraft and spacecraft manufacturers evaluating Vantablack.
- Hempel A/S: Danish global coatings supplier with a strong aerospace, marine, and protective coatings franchise. Provides scale-driven competition in industrial ultra-dark and functional coatings.
Others
- II-VI Incorporated (now Coherent Corp): Vertically integrated photonics and optics platform serving aerospace, defense, and laser systems. Adjacent rather than competitive—Vantablack coatings are consumed in II-VI/Coherent-style optical assemblies for stray-light control.
- Edmund Optics: Global supplier of optical components and coatings to research and industrial customers. Acts as a channel-adjacent peer in the optics value chain where Surrey NanoSystems' VB 100 and VB 200 series are deployed.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Surrey NanoSystems social profiles
Digital presenceSurrey NanoSystems financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Surrey NanoSystems leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Surrey NanoSystems funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors5 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Surrey NanoSystems 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 Surrey NanoSystems
What does Surrey NanoSystems do?
Surrey NanoSystems manufactures and sells Vantablack, the world's blackest coating that absorbs up to 99.965% of light, based on proprietary carbon nanotube metamaterial technology processed via RF plasma. The offering spans three core product series (VB 100 carbon nanotube metamaterials, VB 200 metamaterial-based fast-curing paint, and VB 300 carbon nanotube-free sprayable coatings) plus the Vantablack 310 variant, sold to aerospace, space optics, automotive, infrared sensing, and design customers globally through direct sales and the Ellsworth Adhesives distribution partnership.
Is Surrey NanoSystems a public or private company?
Surrey NanoSystems is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Surrey NanoSystems founded?
Surrey NanoSystems was founded in 2005. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Surrey NanoSystems based?
Surrey NanoSystems is headquartered in Newhaven, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Surrey NanoSystems make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Vantablack Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are distribution Partnership Revenue.
Who are Surrey NanoSystems's main competitors?
Acktar Ltd is listed as a direct peer. Emerging players are Haydale Graphene Industries, Cambridge Nanosystems, NanoXplore and Angstron Materials. Broad incumbents are PPG Industries (Aerospace Coatings), AkzoNobel Aerospace Coatings and Hempel A/S. Others are II-VI Incorporated (now Coherent Corp) and Edmund Optics.
Does Surrey NanoSystems have an API?
No public API is recorded for Surrey NanoSystems.
What industry is Surrey NanoSystems in?
Surrey NanoSystems's product category is Specialty Nanomaterial Coatings. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAEAAAF, Carbon Black & Bulk Pigments, with a secondary code of IMAEANAG, Acrylics & Methacrylates (PMMA, Acrylic Resins). Its NAICS code is 32551 and its SIC code is 2851.