What IS-Instruments Ltd does

IS-Instruments Ltd is a UK-based micro-SME founded in 2015 that designs and manufactures compact Raman spectrometers, laser-based spectroscopic instruments, and bespoke LIDAR systems. The company's technology originated in space instrumentation and has been translated into industrial applications across nuclear decommissioning, pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical manufacturing, fusion energy research, oil and gas, and aerospace. Core technical platforms include the High-Etendue Raman Spectrometer (HES), the Notus Gas Raman system using proprietary hollow-core microstructured optical fibre, the Odin Deep-UV Raman instrument with a self-aligning diode laser, a static Spatial Heterodyne Spectroscopy (SHS) architecture with no moving parts, and a photon-counting imaging LIDAR developed under the European Space Agency for planetary landing.

IS-Instruments generates revenue through direct B2B sales of hardware (spectrometers, Raman probes, LIDAR units), bespoke custom development, and professional services including in-house sampling and Fabry-Pérot expertise. The go-to-market is enterprise field sales with no resellers, supplemented by participation in Innovate UK, UKAEA Fusion Industry Programme, and ESA collaborative R&D consortia (Digital_Lyo, InSPIREmed, Sustainable Future Factory, GRADE) that double as funded R&D channels and customer acquisition pipelines. Named customers include AstraZeneca, GSK, UKAEA, Sellafield Ltd, Amentum, Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics, and Tata Steel, with ISO 9001:2015 certification underpinning qualification for regulated procurement.

The company operates from Tonbridge, Kent with 1-10 employees, is privately held with no disclosed institutional shareholders, and has not raised venture or growth equity. Its growth is funded primarily through project-based grants and consortium contracts, which simultaneously de-risk technology development and seed pipeline customers in target verticals such as fusion fuel cycle monitoring, freeze-drying PAT, and nuclear decommissioning sensing.

Name

IS-Instruments Ltd

Legal name

IS-Instruments Ltd

Website

https://is-instruments.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

IS-Instruments Ltd is a UK micro-SME designing compact Raman spectrometers, gas analysers, and photon-counting LIDAR for nuclear decommissioning, pharmaceutical manufacturing, fusion energy, and aerospace customers, selling via direct B2B sales and collaborative R&D consortia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Spectroscopic and Laser-Based Instrumentation

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

Mass Spectrometry & Spectroscopy Instruments (HLAGAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Analytical Instruments & Chromatography Systems (HLAGAIAA), Material Characterization & Spectroscopy (NMR/FTIR/MS) (HLAGADAK)

Keywords

• Raman spectroscopy instruments
• Laser spectroscopy equipment
• Gas analysis spectrometers
• Photon-counting LIDAR systems
• Remote sensing instrumentation

Headquarters

HQ city

Kent

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Raman Spectrometers and Laser Instrumentation: Sale of spectroscopic and laser-based instruments including Raman spectrometers, HES spectrometers, miniature spectrometers, Odin DUV Raman, Notus gas Raman, and associated probes (RP40, RP50, RP1000). Direct B2B sales to industrial customers.
2. Bespoke LIDAR Solutions: Custom-designed LIDAR systems for specific customer requirements, including space and planetary landing applications.
3. In-House Sampling Services: Laboratory sampling services for customers requiring analysis of materials using company instrumentation.
4. Fabry-Pérot Expertise Services: Technical expertise and services for Fabry-Pérot interferometry applications for research and industry.
5. Consulting and Custom Development: Tailored solutions for clients with specific requirements, leveraging in-house team knowledge and experience.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

IS-Instruments designs, develops, and manufactures compact Raman spectrometers, gas Raman systems, deep-UV Raman instruments, and photon-counting imaging LIDAR systems for industrial, nuclear, pharmaceutical, fusion energy, and space applications. The portfolio is built on proprietary hollow-core microstructured optical fibre and spatial heterodyne spectroscopy, complemented by Raman probes, in-house sampling services, and Fabry-Pérot consulting.

Product overview

IS-Instruments Ltd is a specialist developer and manufacturer of compact spectroscopic and laser-based instrumentation. The product portfolio centres on Raman spectroscopy technology originally developed for space applications, adapted for industrial, pharmaceutical, nuclear, and fusion energy use. Core products include the HES (High-Etendue Spectrometer) platform, Raman Spectrometer line, Odin™ Deep-UV Raman, Notus Gas Raman system, and Miniature Spectrometer, complemented by a range of Raman probes (RP40, RP50, RP1000, Suction Cup). The company also produces specialised systems including photon-counting LIDAR for planetary landing, spatial heterodyne spectrometers (SHS) with no moving parts, and the GRADE system for tritium detection in fusion applications. Products utilise proprietary hollow-core microstructured fibre technology and are designed for demanding environments including extreme conditions, nuclear facilities, and industrial processes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Raman Spectrometer The world's highest throughput Raman spectrometer for identifying and classifying substances in extreme environments, using optical fibre rather than a slit to maximise light throughput.
• HES (High-Etendue) Spectrometer High-étendue Raman spectrometer that uses optical fibre instead of a slit to allow the laser to reach its target, delivering higher throughput than traditional slit-based instruments for industrial Raman measurements.
• Notus Gas Raman Spectrometer Gas Raman system using patented hollow-core microfibre technology for detecting multiple gas species on-site without consumables or sample preparation, supporting real-time multi-gas analysis.
• Odin Deep-UV Raman Spectrometer Deep-UV Raman spectrometer with a self-aligning diode laser that eliminates the need for air purging, designed for fluorescence suppression and high molecular specificity for biomolecular analysis.
• Miniature WiFi-Enabled Spectrometer Compact WiFi-enabled miniature spectrometer designed for portable spectroscopic measurements in industrial environments.
• RP40 Raman Probe F1 telescopic Raman probe designed for remote Raman measurements, suitable for extreme environments.
• RP50 Raman Probe Raman probe suitable for extreme environment deployment.
• RP1000 Stand-off Raman Probe Stand-off Raman probe capable of measurements from 3 metres distance for remote chemical identification in extreme environments.
• Suction Cup Raman Probe Probe mounted to the exterior of a freeze-dryer to measure samples in borosilicate glass vials non-invasively, supporting through-vial Raman monitoring during lyophilisation.
• Imaging LIDAR System Compact, high-speed photon-counting imaging LIDAR system for planetary landing applications, supporting autonomous navigation on Martian and lunar surfaces with operating distances from metres to approximately 5 km and range resolution approaching 2 cm.
• In-House Sampling Services Laboratory sampling services for customers requiring analysis of materials using the company's spectroscopic instrumentation.
• Fabry-Pérot Expertise Services Technical expertise and consulting services for Fabry-Pérot interferometry applications in research and industry.
• Bespoke LIDAR Solutions Custom-designed LIDAR systems engineered to specific customer requirements, including bespoke units for space and planetary landing applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• 700 tonnes CO2 savings per new product and up to 300 tonnes per year per freeze-dryer during operation
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUKAEA leads the Fusion Industry Programme (FIP) which funds and supports ISI's GRADE (Gas RAman Detection of Tritium) technology development. ISI's gas Raman system has been successfully tested at UKAEA facilities and is progressing toward deployment in operational tritium environments. The partnership is essential for commercial readiness for future fusion power plants.
• Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC), University of SouthamptoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on development and optimisation of hollow-core microstructured optical fibre technology. ORC's expertise in microstructured hollow-core fibre has been crucial for ISI's gas Raman instruments, enabling laser light to interact with gas samples in a controlled way while maintaining sensitivity needed for fuel-cycle applications.
• Amentum (formerly Jacobs/Wood Nuclear)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmentum has been engaged with ISI since 2017, both as a customer and partner. Collaboration includes nuclear decommissioning applications with ROV deployment, and tritium detection testing at Amentum facilities under GRADE project. Amentum provides access to nuclear test facilities and operational expertise.
• i3D roboticscoreTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration on nuclear decommissioning project combining ISI's stand-off Raman system with i3D's stereo vision technology integrated onto ROV platforms. i3D supplies stereo camera systems for robotic inspection deployments.
• European Space Agency (ESA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerESA supports ISI's imaging LIDAR development programme for planetary landing applications. Collaboration focuses on development of compact, high-speed photon-counting LIDAR systems for autonomous landing operations on Martian and lunar surfaces.
• Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics (FCAP)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFive-year engagement with FCAP both as customer and collaborative innovation partner on range of projects. FCAP serves as technology provider in InSPIREmed consortium for photonic PAT development.
• Centre for Process Innovation (CPI)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRTO partner in Sustainable Future Factory consortium. CPI provides expertise in process innovation for pharmaceutical manufacturing applications.
• AstraZenecacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead partner in Sustainable Future Factory project. AstraZeneca provides industrial evaluation platforms and real-world assets for testing ISI's Deep-UV Raman monitoring systems in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Project aims to build scalable, low-emission, data-driven manufacturing platforms.
• GSK (GlaxoSmithKline)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner in InSPIREmed consortium providing bioprocess platforms for validation and deployment of ISI's photonic PAT technologies in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• CytivamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry partner in InSPIREmed consortium providing industrial bioprocess platforms for validation and deployment of ISI's photonic sensing technologies.
• MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegulatory partner in InSPIREmed consortium and Digital_Lyo project. MHRA advises on formulation standards, validation requirements, and ensures analytical tools are compatible with regulatory guidance and GMP expectations.
• NPL (National Physical Laboratory)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational metrology body partner in InSPIREmed consortium providing standards and measurement expertise for photonic sensing technologies.
• FIS 360 / Game Changers ProgrammemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFIS 360 manages the Game Changers programme which funded nuclear decommissioning project in partnership with Sellafield Ltd and National Nuclear Laboratory.
• Sellafield LtdmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK nuclear site operator and end user for ISI's stand-off Raman sensing technology for nuclear decommissioning applications.
• National Nuclear LaboratorymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK nuclear laboratory partner in nuclear decommissioning sensing project alongside Sellafield Ltd and Amentum.
• SiemensmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital-twin technology contributor in Digital_Lyo project, collaborating on modelling and predictive control for freeze-drying process optimisation.
• De Montfort University (LyoGroup)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in Digital_Lyo project providing analytical routines and mapping TVIS data to process parameters. Leading development of Centre of Excellence for multi-PAT and digital-twin solutions.
• University of StrathclydemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in InSPIREmed consortium supporting advanced modelling, multimodal data fusion, and control strategies development.
• UCL Mullard Space Science LaboratoryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner listed on partners page, indicating collaboration in space-related instrumentation development.
• Tata SteelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial partner and collaborator listed on company partners page.
• Joanneum InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner listed on company partners page.
• Sheffield Hallam UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner listed on company partners page.
• University of LeedsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in Sustainable Future Factory consortium.
• University of LiverpoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in Sustainable Future Factory consortium.
• Newcastle UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in Sustainable Future Factory consortium.
• University of NottinghamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in Sustainable Future Factory consortium.
• Queen Mary University of LondonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in Sustainable Future Factory consortium.
• University of CambridgeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in Sustainable Future Factory consortium.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Renishaw: Renishaw's Spectroscopy Products Division manufactures industrial and research Raman spectrometers, probes, and imaging systems widely used in pharma PAT and materials analysis, directly competing with IS-Instruments' Raman product line for the same enterprise customers.
• B&W Tek (Metrohm): B&W Tek (now part of Metrohm) supplies portable and handheld Raman spectrometers and probes for pharma, forensics, and hazardous material identification — mirroring ISI's stand-off Raman and RP-series probes for nuclear and extreme-environment chemical identification.
• Wasatch Photonics: Wasatch Photonics develops Raman spectroscopy systems and custom volume-phase gratings for OEM and end-user applications in pharma, biomedical, and materials research — a comparable peer in compact and high-throughput Raman instrumentation.
• Kaiser Optical Systems (part of Magritek): Kaiser is a leading manufacturer of Raman spectroscopy instrumentation and probes for process analytical technology (PAT) in pharmaceutical manufacturing and chemical processing, directly overlapping with ISI's pharma PAT and reaction monitoring offerings.

Broad incumbents

• TSI Incorporated: TSI manufactures particle and gas analysers plus laser-based remote sensing and LIDAR products for environmental and industrial monitoring, overlapping with ISI's gas analysis and LIDAR capabilities for industrial and research customers.
• HORIBA Scientific: HORIBA Scientific is a major analytical instrumentation manufacturer offering Raman, FTIR, fluorescence, and particle characterisation systems across research and industrial markets — broader portfolio than ISI but overlapping in Raman and gas-analysis product categories.
• Bruker Optics: Bruker is a global manufacturer of FTIR, Raman, and NIR spectroscopy instruments used in pharma, materials, and life sciences, competing with ISI's spectroscopy portfolio in the same enterprise procurement environments.

Emerging players

• EM Photonics: EM Photonics develops LIDAR and 3D imaging sensors, including flash LIDAR and photon-counting systems for range imaging and mapping applications — comparable in photon-counting imaging LIDAR technology for planetary landing and surveying use cases.
• Raptor Photonics: Raptor Photonics designs scientific cameras and photon-counting detectors including Geiger-mode arrays used in LIDAR and spectroscopy — directly comparable supply-side photonics capability underpinning ISI's photon-counting imaging LIDAR.
• Snowy Range Instruments: Snowy Range Instruments specialises in portable and handheld Raman spectrometers for field chemical identification (narcotics, explosives, pharma) — comparable niche scale and product positioning to ISI's portable Raman line, though more consumer/law-enforcement focused.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/RamanSystemsISI
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCgnwih7YM7W02k6AWjywzZQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/is-instruments-ltd
• Facebookfacebook.com/ISInstruments

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

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 IS-Instruments Ltd