Centec

What Centec does

Centec GmbH is a privately held German process technology company founded in 1976 and headquartered in Maintal near Frankfurt. It designs, manufactures, and commissions custom-engineered, skid-mounted process systems and high-precision inline sensors for liquid measurement and production, serving industrial manufacturers in the beverage, brewing, food, dairy, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and chemical sectors. Approximately 90% of revenue is generated outside Germany via wholly-owned subsidiaries and a global partner network spanning Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific.

The company operates a portfolio of more than 70 products across two interconnected lines. Process equipment includes mixers and blenders (MultiMixer, Carboblender, Blender), carbonation and nitrogenation systems (Carbonator, Nitrogenator, DeCarbonator), deaeration platforms (DeGaS-Hot/Cold, DGS, VeGas, OXYSTEAM), pasteurization (FlashPasto), water treatment (IONTEC, REVOTEC, ULTRATEC, PW-Erzeuger, WFI generation), CIP/SIP units, distillation lines for spirits, yeast management systems (Yeast Propagator, Yeast Pitch, Yeast Recycler, Yeast Thermolyzer), and pharmaceutical formulation vessels. The sensor family includes OXYTRANS (luminescence-quenching optical O2), CARBOTEC NIR/TR-PT (optical and P/T-based CO2), RHOTEC and RHOTEC ALC-TAX (oscillating U-tube density, the latter PTB-certified for fiscal alcohol measurement), SONATEC (ultrasonic concentration), and a suite of beverage- and pharma-specific monitors. The portfolio is protected by European Patent 1 439 438 B1 covering the core density measurement method.

The business model combines project-based, custom-engineering sales of process plants (one-time high-value contracts that include planning, engineering, automation, FAT/SAT, and on-site commissioning) with hardware sales of standalone sensors and recurring service, spare parts, calibration, and remote support. Distribution is executed through wholly-owned subsidiaries in the USA, India, China, Brazil, Thailand, the UK, and the Czech Republic, complemented by regional channel partners such as ProDetec (Australia/NZ), Pars Analitik (Turkey), and Flow Process Technology (Mexico). The company is family-owned as part of the Koukol Group, led by Managing Director Dr. Robert Koukol since 1990, with no external institutional investment disclosed.

Name

Centec

Legal name

Centec GmbH

Website

https://centec.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Centec GmbH is a privately-held German process technology company founded in 1976 that designs custom skid-mounted process systems and high-precision inline sensors (O2, CO2, density, alcohol) for beverage, brewing, pharmaceutical, food, and chemical liquid processing manufacturers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Process Equipment & Measurement Technology

NAICS

Totalizing Fluid Meter and Counting Device Manufacturing (334514), Food Product Machinery Manufacturing (333241), Measuring, Dispensing, and Other Pumping Equipment Manufacturing (333914)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Totalizing Fluid Meters & Counting Devices (3824)

akta.pro primary industry

Process Automation Instrumentation & Control (DCS, Valves, Actuators, Analyzers) (IMAHAHAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Separation & Filtration Equipment (Filters, Centrifuges, Membranes) (IMAHAEAB), Filling & Dosing Equipment (Liquid, Powder, Aseptic) (IMALAOAB), Chemical Processing Equipment (Reactors, Mixers, Agitators) (IMAHAEAA)

Keywords

• Process plant engineering
• Inline process sensors
• Beverage processing equipment
• Pharmaceutical water systems
• Process measurement technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Maintal

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Process Plant Engineering & Manufacturing: Design, engineering, manufacturing and commissioning of fully automated, skid-mounted process systems tailored to individual customer requirements. Covers turnkey projects from planning through engineering, automation, FAT/SAT and on-site startup. Revenue is project-based, typically involving significant engineering content and long sales cycles.
2. Inline Process Sensors & Measurement Equipment: Sale of proprietary inline sensors for O2, CO2, density, concentration and related parameters. Sensors are sold as standalone units or as integrated components within larger process plant systems. Includes PTB-certified measurement systems for fiscal applications.
3. Service, Maintenance & After-Sales Support: Commissioning, maintenance, spare parts, calibration and remote support services. Goal is high plant availability and stable long-term process quality over the entire equipment lifecycle. Service is provided globally through subsidiaries and partner network.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Centec develops and manufactures automated, skid-mounted process plants and high-precision inline sensors for liquid processing in beverage, brewing, food, pharmaceutical and chemical industries. The portfolio combines custom-engineered turnkey process systems (mixing, carbonation, deaeration, water treatment, distillation, CIP/SIP, yeast management) with proprietary inline measurement sensors for O2, CO2, density and concentration. Solutions are designed, engineered and commissioned in-house across headquarters in Germany and manufacturing in the Czech Republic, with global sales and service through subsidiaries and partners.

Product overview

Centec offers turnkey process solutions combining automated skid-mounted process systems with high-precision inline sensors for the beverage, brewing, food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. The portfolio consists of two interconnected product lines: (1) Process equipment including mixing/blending systems (MultiMixer, Carboblender, Blender), carbonation/nitrogenation (Carbonator, Nitrogenator, DeCarbonator), deaeration (DeGaS-Hot/Cold, DGS, VeGas, OXYSTEAM), pasteurization (FlashPasto), water treatment (IONTEC, REVOTEC, ULTRATEC, PW-Erzeuger, WFI systems), CIP/SIP systems, distillation lines (Batch/Industrial/Multi/Pilot), yeast management (Yeast Propagator, Pitch, Recycler, Thermolyzer), and specialized equipment for sugar solutions, wort processing, and pharmaceutical formulations; (2) Inline sensors for O2 (OXYTRANS TR/M), CO2 (CARBOTEC NIR/TR-PT), density/concentration (RHOTEC, RHOTEC ALC-TAX), Brix (BRIX MONITOR), alcohol (ALKOHOL MONITOR, BEER MONITOR, Ethanol-Messsystem EMS), extract/Plato (EXTRAKT MONITOR, PLATO MONITOR), Oechsle (OECHSLE MONITOR), and multi-component analysis (COMBITEC, SONATEC). All systems feature modular design, PLC automation, and full CIP capability, with pharmaceutical products meeting GMP, FDA, and GAMP requirements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• OXYTRANS TR – Optical Inline Oxygen Sensor Optical inline sensor for continuous measurement of dissolved oxygen (O2) in liquids and gases based on the luminescence quenching principle; no electrolyte required and no O2 consumption during measurement. For breweries, beverage, pharma and chemical process lines.
• OXYTRANS M – Portable Optical Oxygen Sensor Portable optical sensor for mobile measurement of dissolved O2 in liquids and gases using luminescence quenching technology; complements the OXYTRANS TR inline version for spot-check use.
• RHOTEC – Density & Concentration Sensor High-precision oscillating U-tube density sensor for continuous measurement of density and concentration in 2-component mixtures, using resonance frequency detection with internal reference oscillator. For beverage, food, pharma and chemical processes.
• RHOTEC ALC-TAX – PTB-Certified Alcohol Measurement PTB-certified density sensor for legally compliant alcohol measurement in spirits production with calibration accuracy of 0.0001 g/cm3; meets PTB and BfB requirements for fiscal alcohol measurement in Germany (European Patent 1 439 438 B1).
• SONATEC – Ultrasonic Concentration Sensor High-precision ultrasonic concentration sensor for continuous measurement in 2-component mixtures based on sound velocity; uses ultrasonic pulse transmission through the liquid with product-specific polynomial calibration.
• CARBOTEC NIR – Optical CO2 Sensor Optical CO2 sensor using NIR (non-dispersive infrared) technology for continuous measurement of dissolved carbon dioxide in beverages and process liquids.
• CARBOTEC TR-PT – CO2 Sensor (Pressure-Temperature) CO2 sensor based on pressure-temperature measurement principle for continuous CO2 determination in industrial beverage and process applications.
• BEER MONITOR – Inline Alcohol, Extract & Original Gravity Inline monitoring system combining alcohol, extract and original gravity (Stammwürze) measurement for brewery production control.
• ALKOHOL MONITOR – Inline Alcohol Measurement Inline alcohol measurement system for continuous monitoring of ethanol content during production.
• ALKOHOL-BRIX MONITOR – Combined Inline Measurement Combined inline measurement system for alcohol content and Brix value for beverage production monitoring.
• BRIX MONITOR – Inline Brix Measurement Inline Brix measurement system for continuous concentration monitoring in food and beverage production.
• EXTRAKT MONITOR – Inline Extract (°Plato) Measurement Inline extract measurement system for continuous monitoring of °Plato values during fermentation.
• PLATO MONITOR – Inline °Plato Measurement Inline Plato measurement system for monitoring °Plato values during cider production.
• OECHSLE MONITOR – Inline Oechsle Measurement Inline Oechsle measurement system for wine and cider production using density or ultrasonic technology.
• COMBITEC – 3-Component Concentration Analysis Three-component concentration analysis system for complex mixture monitoring in process applications.
• Ethanol-Messsystem EMS Ethanol measurement system for alcohol monitoring in distillation and production processes.
• MultiMixer – Multi-Component Mixing Multi-component mixing system for precise blending of multiple ingredients in beverages; the first Centec MultiMixer launched in 1998.
• Carboblender – High Gravity Blending & Carbonation Combined blending and carbonation system for high-gravity brewing applications, first introduced in 1994.
• Blender – High Gravity Blending High-gravity blending system for efficient mixing and carbonation of beverages.
• Carbonator – Carbonation System Carbonation system for continuous dissolution of CO2 into beverages for controlled carbonation, first introduced in 1991.
• Nitrogenator – Nitrogenation System Continuous nitrogenation system using proprietary vortex-venturi injector technology for dissolution of nitrogen into beverages for stable foam characteristics.
• DeCarbonator – Decarbonation & Carbonation Combined decarbonation and carbonation system for precise CO2 control in beverages.
• DeGaS-Hot – Hot Water Column Deaeration Hot water deaeration system using column technology for thermal removal of dissolved gases from process water.
• DeGaS-Cold – Cold Water Column Deaeration Cold water deaeration system using column technology for removal of dissolved oxygen from process water at lower temperatures.
• DGS – Membrane Water Deaeration Membrane-based water deaeration system for efficient removal of dissolved oxygen from process water, launched in 1995.
• VeGas – Vacuum Deaeration Vacuum deaeration system for removal of oxygen from liquids using spray evacuation technology with OXYTRANS sensor monitoring.
• OXYSTEAM – Steam Boiler Water Deaeration Boiler water deaeration control system using OXYTRANS sensor for precise O2 measurement in the steam dome and controlled blowdown valve regulation; can reduce steam losses by up to 95% with ROI in less than 6 months.
• FlashPasto – Flash Pasteurization Flash pasteurization system for short-time heating to ensure microbiological stability of beverages, introduced in 1997.
• CIP – Cleaning in Place Cleaning-in-place system for automated hygienic cleaning of process equipment without disassembly.
• CIP-Anlage Pharma GMP-compliant cleaning-in-place system designed for pharmaceutical production environments.
• SIP – Sterilization in Place Sterilization-in-place system for automated in-situ sterilization of process equipment, typically paired with PureSteam for sterile operation.
• Distillation Line – Batch Semi-automatic batch distillery system for pilot production and small to medium batches (100–1,000 l per run) of spirits.
• Distillation Line – Industrial Fully automated industrial distillery system for large-scale spirits production (1,000–5,000 l per run).
• Distillation Line – Multi Fully automated multi-function distillery system for industrial batch production (1,000–5,000 l per run) of whisky, gin and vodka.
• Distillation Line – Pilot Manual pilot distillery system for development runs and small-scale production.
• Yeast Propagator Yeast propagation system for controlled growth of yeast cells in sterile propagation tanks with OXYTRANS monitoring; launched in 2021.
• Yeast Pitch – Fully Automated Yeast Dosing Fully automated yeast dosing system for precise and homogeneous yeast cell addition to the wort stream, introduced in 1993.
• Yeast Recycler – Beer Recovery from Yeast Cross-flow filtration system using durable ceramic membranes for beer recovery from waste or surplus yeast; produces yeast-free filtrate with minimal oxygen uptake, allowing up to 5% recovered beer to be reintroduced into the brewing process without quality impact.
• Yeast Thermolyzer Thermal yeast inactivation system for pasteurisation of waste yeast using heat treatment for protein and vitamin B recovery.
• DeAlcoTec – Dealcoholisation Dealcoholisation system for production of alcohol-free and reduced-alcohol beverages with aroma recovery, launched in 2007.
• PW-Erzeuger – Purified Water Generation System Purified water (PW) generation system for pharmaceutical applications meeting Ph.Eur. and USP standards with modular skid design.
• WFI-Kalt Cold WFI Generation System Cold Water for Injection (WFI) generation system using membrane-based technology (RO/EDI/UF) for pharmaceutical water production at ambient temperature.
• WFI Multi-Stage Distillation System Multi-stage distillation system for production of Water for Injection (WFI) for pharmaceutical applications, launched as the first turnkey WFI plant in 2006.
• PureSteam – Pure Steam Generator Pure steam generator for sterile, pyrogen-free steam production for SIP sterilisation of tanks, pipelines and filling machines.
• IONTEC – Water Softening & Demineralization Water softening and demineralisation system for pre-treatment of water in production processes.
• REVOTEC – Reverse Osmosis Reverse osmosis system for demineralised water production for beverage applications including beer mix drinks.
• ULTRATEC – Ultrafiltration Ultrafiltration system for membrane-based separation and endotoxin control in water treatment.
• Wort Aerator Wort aeration system for controlled O2 or sterile air addition using vortex-venturi injector technology for optimal fermentation conditions.
• Easyomer – Hop Pre-Isomerisation Hop isomerisation system for controlled pre-isomerisation of hops in brewing processes.
• Juice Aerator Aeration system for controlled oxygen addition to juice during production.
• FILTEC AC – Activated Carbon Filtration Activated carbon filtration system for removal of colour, taste and odour compounds from liquids.
• FILTEC M – Media Filtration Media filtration system for polishing filtration of beverages and liquid foods.
• Tanks & Vessels Industrial tanks and vessels for beverage, pharmaceutical and food applications; manufactured in-house since 2014 at the Czech Republic facility.
• Zuckerlöser – Sugar Dissolving System Sugar dissolving system for rapid and homogeneous preparation of sugar solutions using injector and radial jet mixer technology for batch or continuous operation.
• Dosieranlage – Dosing System Dosing system for precise addition of liquids or ingredients in industrial processes.
• ADoS – Additive Dosing System Additive dosing system for precise addition of ingredients in beverage and food production processes.
• Craftline – Process Systems for Craft Breweries Process systems specifically designed for craft breweries with modular configuration options.
• Milk pH Adjustment pH adjustment system for precise control of milk pH in dairy processing.
• Neutralisationsanlage – Automated pH Neutralisation Automated pH neutralisation system for wastewater treatment in industrial processes.
• Mobile CIP Unit Mobile cleaning-in-place unit for decentralised cleaning of process equipment.
• Einheitsdruck-System – Unit Pressure Tank Control Unit pressure system for precise tank pressure control in beverage production.
• Loop-Rücklauf – Loop Return Monitoring Unit Loop return monitoring and control unit for distribution systems in pharmaceutical water applications.
• Loop-Verteilstation Distribution station for pharmaceutical water systems with integrated monitoring.
• Transferschränke – Hygienic Transfer Cabinets Transfer cabinet for hygienic transfer of media in production areas without circulation loop; GMP-compliant design.
• Pump Skid – Hygienic Process Water Station Hygienic process water pumping station mounted on skid frame for beverage and food production.
• Valve Block – Ventilblöcke Valve blocks for hygienic process control and media distribution in beverage and pharmaceutical systems.
• Trinkwasserübergabestation Drinking water transfer station providing hygienic connection between municipal water network and pharmaceutical water treatment systems.
• Formulierungsbehälter Pharmaceutical formulation vessel for reproducible preparation of liquid pharmaceutical products with precise process control.

Quantifiable outcome

• Steam loss reduction of up to 95% with OXYSTEAM boiler water deaeration system
• +3 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Koukol Group (Parent Holding)coreOthersCentec GmbH is part of a privately held corporate group under Koukol Group, which also includes Deltamedica GmbH (pharmaceutical and medical products), Biomedica (biomedical and healthcare solutions), KIMM Invest (investments and business development), and Duomedica (medical products and healthcare solutions). All group companies operate independently with clear strategic focus and own customer responsibilities.
• ProDetec Pty. Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distribution and support partner for Centec process measurement and control solutions across Australia and New Zealand. Provides inline sensors and analysers for oxygen, CO2, density and concentration, as well as automated systems for blending, dosing, filtration and dealcoholisation. Technical expertise and local support ensure reliable implementation.
• Pars AnalitikcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal partner in Turkey for sales, technical consulting and after-sales service for Centec products. Specializes in laboratory and process analytics and supports customers with application-oriented consulting, service and training.
• Flow Process TechnologycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTrusted partner in Mexico specializing in advanced process solutions for beverage and liquid-processing industries. Delivers engineered systems, integration and service tailored to customer requirements. Combines Centec global technology standards with local execution for efficient, compliant plants.
• Deltamedica GmbHminorOthersPart of the Koukol Group. Pharmaceutical and medical products company operating independently from Centec.
• BiomedicaminorOthersPart of the Koukol Group. Biomedical and healthcare solutions company operating independently.
• DuomedicaminorOthersPart of the Koukol Group. Medical products and healthcare solutions company operating independently.
• KIMM InvestminorOthersPart of the Koukol Group. Investment and business development company operating independently.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves17 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Anton Paar: Austrian manufacturer of high-precision density, concentration, and sound-velocity measurement instruments. Directly comparable to Centec in oscillating U-tube density (RHOTEC vs. DMA) and ultrasonic concentration (SONATEC) technologies, and competes in the same brewery and beverage customers.
• Bürkert Fluid Control Systems: German manufacturer of measurement and control systems for liquids and gases. Overlaps with Centec in process sensors, valves, and skid-level fluid control for beverage, pharma and chemical applications.

Broad incumbents

• Endress+Hauser: Global leader in industrial process instrumentation for flow, level, pressure, temperature, and analytics. Competes with Centec's sensor portfolio across beverage, food, pharma and chemicals, but at vastly larger scale and with broader product scope.
• Mettler-Toledo: Global manufacturer of precision instruments including process analytics and inline measurement. Competes with Centec in density, concentration and pH/conductivity measurement for food, beverage and pharma applications.
• GEA Group: Large German-based supplier of process technology for food, beverage and pharma. Overlaps with Centec in brewery process systems, separators, and liquid processing skids, though at much broader portfolio scale.
• Krones AG: German-based global market leader in brewery and beverage process and packaging technology. Competes with Centec in brewery cold blocks, carbonation, blending, and turnkey process plant engineering, particularly for large brewers.
• Alfa Laval: Swedish provider of heat transfer, separation, and fluid handling equipment. Comparable to Centec in brewery and dairy heat exchangers, filtration/separation (Yeast Recycler cross-flow), and hygienic process skids.
• Hach: Part of Danaher, Hach supplies water quality analysis and process measurement. Comparable to Centec in dissolved oxygen and water analytics for boiler feedwater and pharma-grade water systems (PW/WFI).
• Pentair: Global water treatment and process solutions provider. Overlaps with Centec in water purification, demineralization, and process water systems for beverage and pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Emerging players

• Hamilton Company: Specialty manufacturer of inline process sensors including optical dissolved oxygen measurement. Direct technical overlap with Centec's OXYTRANS luminescence-quenching oxygen sensors in beverage and pharma applications.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/centec-gmbh

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Centec