What LemnaTec does

LemnaTec GmbH, headquartered in Aachen, Germany, is a specialized instrumentation vendor focused on digital plant phenotyping and digital seed testing. Founded in 1998 and operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of publicly-listed Nynomic AG since August 2019, the company designs and manufactures integrated systems combining proprietary imaging hardware — including RGB, multispectral and hyperspectral (VNIR/SWIR), near-infrared, thermal, chlorophyll fluorescence (PAM/OJIP), 3D laser triangulation, and deep-cooled vacuum CCD bioluminescence cameras — with the AI-assisted LemnaTec Software Suite (LemnaControl, LemnaExperiment, LemnaGrid, and Lemna3D). Its product portfolio spans the PhenoAIxpert family (entry-level to high-throughput conveyor-based systems), RootAIxpert HT, HyperAIxpert, CanopyAIxpert for greenhouse deployments, FieldAIxpert for outdoor field plots, and the SeedAIxpert line for digital seed and seedling testing, complemented by rhizotron accessories and the partner-developed PHENOM portable microscope.

The company's principal customers are academic and government research institutions, plant genomics facilities (e.g., IPK Gatersleben, Rothamsted Research, RIKEN, Donald Danforth Plant Science Center), agricultural biotechnology and seed companies (Bayer CropScience, Syngenta), and specialized testing laboratories (ecotoxicology). Hardware and software are sold through a direct enterprise sales motion from Aachen supplemented by exclusive distribution partners in roughly 20 countries across Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East. Revenue is generated via capital equipment sales (multi-year quotation-based contracts), software licenses and maintenance, and recurring professional services delivered through the LemnaTec Academy. Following the 2025 acquisition of SpexAI Technology, the company is extending its scope from laboratory research into production-floor plant sensing applications, broadening its long-term addressable market beyond the conventional academic phenotyping base.

As of 2025/2026 the company reports 70+ cumulative customers in 30+ countries, 450+ peer-reviewed customer publications referencing its technology, and applications spanning 80+ species, positioning it as the longest-tenured independent specialist in a global plant phenotyping market projected to grow from approximately USD 382.6 million in 2026 to USD 889.1 million by 2033.

Name

LemnaTec

Legal name

LemnaTec GmbH

Website

https://lemnatec.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

LemnaTec is a German specialist in digital plant phenotyping and seed testing systems, selling proprietary imaging hardware and AI-assisted software (PhenoAIxpert, SeedAIxpert, FieldAIxpert families) to academic research institutes, seed companies, and agricultural biotechnology firms in 30+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Plant Phenotyping Systems

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Phenotyping Technologies & Services (Field/Controlled Environment) (AFABALAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Seed Testing Services (Germination, Purity, Vigor, Seed Health) (AFACAKAL), Seed Quality Testing & Certification Services (AFAGAIAI), Seed Quality Testing & Certification Support (Germination, Purity, Vigor) (AFAOADAK), Seed Testing, Certification & Quality Assurance (Germination, Purity, Phytosanitary) (AFABAFAM)

Keywords

• Plant phenotyping systems
• Digital seed testing
• Hyperspectral imaging
• Greenhouse automation
• 3D laser scanning

Headquarters

HQ city

Aachen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware Systems Sales: LemnaTec sells specialized plant phenotyping and seed testing hardware systems ranging from compact manual laboratory setups (PhenoAIxpert, SeedAIxpert) to large-scale automated conveyor-based systems (PhenoAIxpert HT, CanopyAIxpert, FieldAIxpert). Systems include imaging cabinets, sensors, robotic automation, and conveyor systems. Delivery includes initial training and analysis pipeline development.
2. Software Licenses and Updates: LemnaTec Software Suite (LemnaControl, LemnaExperiment, LemnaGrid, Lemna3D) is sold with software licenses, updates, and maintenance contracts. Annual software maintenance and updates are available through service contracts.
3. Professional Services and Training: LemnaTec Academy provides customized training programs, hands-on workshops, expert consulting, and data analysis services. Initial training is included with new system delivery. Additional training classes and customer-specific analysis development are offered as separate services.
4. Service and Maintenance Contracts: Service contracts covering maintenance, troubleshooting, software license management, system upgrades, and ongoing support for existing phenotyping systems.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

LemnaTec designs, manufactures, and sells integrated digital plant phenotyping and seed testing systems, combining proprietary imaging hardware (RGB, hyperspectral, chlorophyll fluorescence, near-infrared, thermal, laser scanning, and bioluminescence cameras) with the AI-powered LemnaTec Software Suite and ancillary cultivation accessories. Offerings span compact laboratory cabinets, conveyor-based high-throughput plant-to-sensor systems, sensor-to-plant greenhouse and field installations, and dedicated digital seed testing lines, complemented by the LemnaTec Academy training, professional services, and ongoing software/maintenance contracts.

Product overview

LemnaTec offers a comprehensive plant phenotyping and seed testing portfolio centered on imaging and AI-powered image analysis systems. The core product line includes the PhenoAIxpert family (PhenoAIxpert, PhenoAIxpert Pro, PhenoAIxpert Pro Root, PhenoAIxpert CF, PhenoAIxpert HT, PhenoAIxpert Flex, PhenoAIxpert ES), RootAIxpert HT, HyperAIxpert, CanopyAIxpert, and FieldAIxpert systems for various laboratory, greenhouse, and field applications. Seed testing is addressed through the SeedAIxpert line (SeedAIxpert, SeedAIxpert HTC, SeedAIxpert HT). All hardware systems are integrated with the LemnaTec Software Suite comprising LemnaControl, LemnaExperiment, LemnaGrid, and Lemna3D for system control, image analysis, and 3D processing. The portfolio supports diverse imaging modalities including RGB, hyperspectral, NIR, infrared, chlorophyll fluorescence, bioluminescence, and 3D laser scanning, all processed through machine learning-powered analysis. Root phenotyping accessories include Rhizotron boxes, RhizoStore, and RhizoMove. The recently acquired SpexAI extends capabilities to production environment monitoring. PHENOM (from partner MIAtecs) addresses microscopic phenotyping needs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SpexAI by LemnaTec: Plant sensing system dedicated to monitor growth and development of plants in production environments, suitable for early detection of stress and disease occurrence
• PhenoAIxpert
• SeedAIxpert
• CanopyAIxpert
• FieldAIxpert
• HyperAIxpert
• RootAIxpert HT
• LemnaTec Academy
• LemnaTec Software Suite
• PhenoAIxpert ES

Products and services

• PhenoAIxpert Versatile entry-level laboratory phenotyping system with top-down RGB imaging under white LED light, used to phenotype seedlings, Arabidopsis, plant parts, insects, and samples in pots, MTPs, and petri dishes for academic and commercial research customers.
• PhenoAIxpert Pro Advanced laboratory phenotyping system with top-down and horizontal imaging of potted upright-growing plants, with optional multispectral imaging and 3D space carving for crop and Arabidopsis research.
• PhenoAIxpert Pro Root Combined shoot and root phenotyping system with shoot top- and side-imaging and root imaging at a rhizotron plate, featuring a patented LED light for root imaging and matching rhizotron boxes.
• PhenoAIxpert CF Chlorophyll fluorescence phenotyping system supporting PAM and OJIP protocols with advanced LEDs for measuring and saturation light, used to assess photosynthetic efficiency and stress responses.
• PhenoAIxpert HT Automated high-throughput plant-to-sensor phenotyping system with conveyor-based transport, top- and side-view multi-sensor phenotyping, weighing and watering options, and root phenotyping capabilities for large-scale research.
• PhenoAIxpert Flex Flexible imaging cabinet for crop plants offering RGB multiview imaging, hyperspectral imaging (VNIR and SWIR), and 3D laser scanning, delivered with the LemnaTec Software Suite.
• PhenoAIxpert ES High-sensitivity bioluminescence imaging system combining a deep-cooled vacuum CCD camera with RGB phenotyping to detect and image very weak light emissions and match luminescence signals to plant phenotypes.
• RootAIxpert HT Automated phenotyping system for plants grown in large rhizotrons with simultaneous shoot and root imaging at both horizontal and vertical resolution for root architecture research.
• HyperAIxpert Multimodal top-view phenotyping system for samples up to 20 cm height including seedlings, MTPs, and petri dishes, with automated imaging and optional automated sample feeding for laboratory workflows.
• CanopyAIxpert Multi-camera sensor-to-plant phenotyping system for greenhouses and growth rooms, featuring multimodal top-view imaging with advanced analytical software and machine learning for canopy-scale phenotyping.
• FieldAIxpert Automated sensor-to-plant phenotyping system for outdoor field plot installations, built on a 3-axis industrial portal crane with rail-guided x-axis for natural drainage in field experiments.
• SeedAIxpert Manually operated digital seed testing system with top-down RGB imaging, measuring seed count, seed purity, germination, and seedling emergence quality for seed companies and seed testing labs.
• SeedAIxpert HTC Semi-automatic digital seed testing system with top-down RGB imaging for seed and seedling analysis, adding sample handling automation to the SeedAIxpert line.
• SeedAIxpert HT Automated high-throughput digital seed testing system with top-down RGB imaging for seed features, germination, and seedling quality traits at industrial seed testing throughput.
• LemnaTec Software Suite AI-powered plant phenotyping software platform bundling LemnaControl (hardware and recording control), LemnaExperiment (experiment management and analysis), LemnaGrid (graphical programming interface for image analysis pipelines without coding), and Lemna3D (3D point cloud and space carving analysis); sold with software licenses, updates, and maintenance contracts.
• SpexAI by LemnaTec Plant sensing system dedicated to monitoring growth and development of plants in production environments, enabling early detection of stress and disease occurrence; extends LemnaTec's offerings from research applications into production floor operations.
• PHENOM Portable Phenotyping Microscope Portable, plugin-style plant phenotyping microscope (dimensions 20 cm x 4 cm x 10 cm, 350 g) with USB 3.0 connectivity, operating range -1C to 70C and 80g/m3 humidity, supporting 5X, 10X, and 20X adaptive optics for non-destructive stomata imaging with real-time AI-powered open/closed stomata analysis; developed by partner MIAtecs and marketed through LemnaTec.
• Root Phenotyping Accessories (Rhizotron Boxes, RhizoStore, RhizoMove) Cultivation and handling accessories for root phenotyping: Rhizotron boxes (420 mm x 340 mm, ~400 mm rooting depth, 30 mm slit width, 3.6 L substrate volume) enabling root growth along a transparent plate; RhizoStore rack for light-shielded storage of 10 Rhizotrons at 45 degrees; RhizoMove trolley for transporting five Rhizotrons at 45 degrees.
• LemnaTec Academy Training and Consulting Customized training programs, hands-on workshops, expert consulting, and customer-specific data analysis services for digital plant phenotyping, including video-based training classes from basic to expert levels; initial training is bundled with new system delivery with additional paid offerings.

Quantifiable outcome

• LemnaTec systems are used in 30+ countries by 70+ customers and have supported 450+ scientific publications
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers14 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

AI capability13 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SpexAIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLemnaTec acquired SpexAI Technology, merging it into LemnaTec. This acquisition extends LemnaTec's capabilities in plant sensing from research applications to production floor environments, integrating SpexAI's sensing technology into LemnaTec's product portfolio.
• MIAtecscoreTechnology or IntegrationMIAtecs developed PHENOM, a portable and plugin plant phenotyping microscope. PHENOM is a partner-developed product marketed through LemnaTec, featuring USB 3.0 connectivity, adaptive optics (5X, 10X, 20X), and non-destructive plant imaging for stomata analysis. MIAtecs founder Fabien Miart gives talks at LemnaTec-partnered conferences.
• Fytagoras BVminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Fytagoras BV for seed respiration technology (SRA Seed Testing), announced in LemnaTec Newsletter 02/2021. Fytagoras provides seed respiration measurement technology integrated with LemnaTec's digital seed testing portfolio.
• ComputomicsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLemnaTec established cooperation with Computomics for distribution of CropScore, a crop-related analytics product. Computomics distributes CropScore through LemnaTec's sales channels.
• Analytik Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distribution partner for UK and Ireland. LemnaTec and Analytik Ltd. signed a distribution agreement (announced 2020) and actively participate together in conferences such as Rhizosphere 6 and UK Plant Phenomics Conference. Analytik exhibits and presents elevator pitches at conferences on LemnaTec's behalf.
• OPTOPRIMcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distribution partner for France. Established as part of LemnaTec's distribution partnership expansion announced in 2020.
• Portable Analytic Solutions (PAS)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distribution partner for Australia and New Zealand, established 2020. PAS exhibits LemnaTec products at events such as the International Society for Seed Science Conference 2025.
• Polaris Science Pte. Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partnership established in 2020 for Singapore and Malaysia. Specializes in scientific instruments for plant research.
• R2F AGROBUSINESScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partnership established in May 2021 for Brazil. Headquartered in Garuva-SC with commercial office in São Paulo-SP.
• ZealquestcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distribution partner for China. Actively sponsors and presents LemnaTec technology at the International Conference on Plant Phenomics 2025 in Sanya.
• LaserPoint (Italy)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution agreement established in July 2020 for Italy.
• Nynomic GroupcoreOthersLemnaTec GmbH has been a member of the Nynomic group of companies since August 2019. Nynomic AG is an internationally leading manufacturer of non-contact, non-destructive optical measurement technology. The group includes Spectral Engines Oy, LayTec AG, APOS GmbH, Avantes B.V., Sensortherm GmbH, tec5 AG, and m-u-t GmbH with their subsidiaries. LemnaTec benefits from the group's shared technology base in spectroscopy and optical measurement.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Keygene: Keygene is a plant breeding and phenotyping technology company offering trait discovery and digital phenotyping services, directly overlapping with LemnaTec's agricultural biotech and seed company customer segment.
• Phenospex: Phenospex is a direct competitor offering PlantEye and FieldScanner phenotyping systems using 3D laser and multispectral imaging for laboratory, greenhouse, and field plant phenotyping. Named alongside LemnaTec as a key player in the same market reports.
• WIWAM: WIWAM provides automated plant phenotyping systems (WIWAM XY, WIWAM Line Scanalyzer) for greenhouse and growth chamber applications, directly competing with LemnaTec's PhenoAIxpert and Scanalyzer platforms across research institutions.

Emerging players

• Arable Labs: Arable builds in-field crop sensing and analytics devices (Arable Mark) for continuous plant and microclimate monitoring, partially overlapping with LemnaTec's SpexAI production-environment sensing strategy.
• Hiphen: Hiphen specializes in UAV/drone-based high-throughput phenotyping and remote sensing for crop trials, intersecting with LemnaTec's field phenotyping (FieldAIxpert) offerings via a complementary aerial imaging approach.

Broad incumbents

• Bayer Crop Science: Bayer Crop Science is both a LemnaTec enterprise customer and a potential competitor given its large internal R&D phenotyping capabilities and ownership of Climate FieldView digital agronomy platform.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Thermo Fisher's analytical instruments division serves life-science and agricultural research laboratories with spectroscopy and imaging platforms, representing a much larger incumbent with overlapping buyer personas to LemnaTec's research customers.
• Taranis: Taranis is a precision agriculture platform combining aerial imagery, AI, and field-level crop intelligence, serving similar agricultural enterprise customers as LemnaTec with a broader, software-centric offering.
• BASF Digital Farming (xarvio): BASF's xarvio digital farming arm is identified as a key player in the plant phenotyping market alongside LemnaTec. As one of the world's largest agrochemical companies, BASF has the resources to build or buy phenotyping technology at scale.

Others

• Mettler-Toledo: Mettler-Toledo is a major analytical and precision instrument manufacturer with laboratory automation product lines serving similar industrial and life-science customers, providing an adjacent benchmark for instrument-based business models.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/lemnatec
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/LemnaTec2008
• Facebookfacebook.com/LemnaTec
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lemnatec

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 LemnaTec