What Cambustion does

Cambustion Ltd is a Cambridge, UK-based designer and manufacturer of high-grade scientific instrumentation for ultrafast gas and aerosol particle measurement, in operation since 1987. The Products division builds a portfolio of chemi-luminescence NOx analyzers (CLD500, CLD50), flame-ionisation hydrocarbon analyzers (HFR500, FID50, FID600), NDIR CO/CO2 analyzers (NDIR500, NDIR50), fast aerosol spectrometers and classifiers (DMS500 Mk3, M2AS, CPMA, AAC, CPC 5210), a DPG standalone particulate filter testing system, an SCS smoking machine, and accessories (CSA catalytic stripper, AD60 diluter, UDAC charger, MSE electrometer, AF10 flowmeter). Differentiated technical specifications include hydrocarbon and NOx response times as fast as 1ms (1kHz), CLD50 100ms T10-90% response with 5ppb NO sensitivity, DMS500 sizing from 5nm to 2.5 microns at 10Hz, and DPF loading rates up to 20g/hr. The CSA accessory is legislated for Euro 6 solid-particle measurement and the AAC is referenced in ISO 21501-1:2025.

Revenue is generated through four streams: (1) high-value, low-volume capital equipment sales, (2) Powertrain Engineering Services from a Cambridge facility with 8 transient engine dynamometers plus chassis and hub dynamometers, (3) Measurement, Aerosol Science, and Air Quality Consultancy staffed by PhD-qualified scientists, and (4) short-term instrument rentals. Customers are segmented vertically across automotive emissions, aerosol science research, medical research, metrology and calibration, air quality monitoring, and smoking/vaping product testing, with instrumentation deployed in over 35 countries. Distribution combines direct sales from Cambridge with local representatives and distributors in China, France, India, Japan and South America. The company is privately held (Cambustion Ltd), transitioned to an Employee Ownership Trust on 14 November 2025, and operates CamMotive as a sister sub-brand for E-powertrain and hydrogen test services; it holds ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certifications and the Ford Motor Company Q1 Quality Standard.

Name

Cambustion

Legal name

Cambustion Ltd

Website

https://cambustion.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Cambustion Ltd designs and manufactures ultrafast gas analyzers and aerosol particle instrumentation and provides powertrain, aerosol-science, and air-quality consultancy services from Cambridge, UK, serving automotive, research, medical, metrology, air-quality, and smoking/vaping customers in 35+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Scientific Instrumentation for Gas and Particle Measurement

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

Process Analytical Instrumentation (Gas analyzers, spectroscopy, pH/ORP, conductivity) (IMAGAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS) & Stack Testing (EUAHADAA)

Keywords

• Scientific gas analyzers
• Aerosol instrumentation
• Engine emissions measurement
• Particulate filter testing
• Powertrain testing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Cambridge

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, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Scientific Instrumentation Sales: Sale of high-value, low-volume research instruments for gas and particle measurement including ultrafast gas analyzers (FID, CLD, NDIR), particle analyzers (DMS500, CPMA, AAC), and filter testing systems (DPG). Products are sold directly and through regional representatives.
2. Powertrain Engineering Services: Powertrain testing and development services provided from Cambridge, UK facility including engine and vehicle dynamometer testing, calibration development, aftertreatment evaluation, and DPF testing services for global automotive clients.
3. Measurement Consultancy: Consulting services using degree and PhD qualified scientists and engineers for gas and aerosol measurements, filtration characterization, medical device testing, and air quality consulting.
4. Product Rental: Short-term rental of instruments ideal for projects of shorter duration or where capital budget is not available. Rental includes full support from expert engineers and scientists.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Cambustion designs and manufactures high-grade scientific instrumentation for ultrafast gas and particle measurement, including FID/CLD/NDIR gas analyzers, DMS500, CPMA and AAC aerosol instruments, the DPG standalone particulate filter testing system, and the SCS smoking machine. The company complements its product portfolio with powertrain engineering services from its Cambridge test facilities and degree-/PhD-qualified measurement consultancy spanning aerosols, air quality and emissions.

Product overview

Cambustion offers a portfolio of high-grade analytical instruments for gas and particle measurement, alongside powertrain engineering services. The product range is organised into six categories: (1) Gas instrumentation including the HFR500/FID50/FID600 fast hydrocarbon analysers, CLD500/CLD50 fast NOx analysers, and NDIR500/NDIR50 fast CO & CO2 analysers; (2) Particle classifiers including the AAC (Aerodynamic Aerosol Classifier) for aerodynamic diameter from 25nm to 5 micrometres, and the CPMA (Centrifugal Particle Mass Analyser) for direct mass classification serving as a primary mass standard; (3) Particle counting & sizing including the DMS500 Mk3 fast aerosol sizer (5nm-2.5 microns), M2AS mass-mobility spectrometer, MSE mobility separator electrometer, and 5210 wide-range condensation particle counter; (4) Particle conditioning accessories including the AD60 aerosol diluter, diffusion dryer, UDAC charger, electrostatic precipitator, AF10 flowmeter, and PSL calibration kit; (5) Smoking & vaping solutions centred on the SCS smoking machine supporting ISO standards and user-defined profiles; (6) Exhaust aftertreatment testing anchored by the DPG standalone particulate filter testing system, plus accessories like the CSA catalytic stripper accessory for the DMS500. The Powertrain Engineering Services group provides dynamometer-based development and testing from Cambridge, with sister brand CamMotive handling E-powertrain services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CamMotive: E-powertrain development and testing services brand offering 4WD chassis dynamometer, 4WD hub dynamometer system, battery cell, module and pack test systems, e-motor testing and a hydrogen test cell.

Products and services

• HFR500 Fast Hydrocarbon (HC) Analyzer Fast response flame ionisation detector (FID) for measuring hydrocarbon concentration with millisecond response times, enabling cycle-by-cycle gaseous emissions resolution for engine and aftertreatment development.
• FID50 THC Analyzer Fast hydrocarbon analyser for total hydrocarbon measurement in engine exhaust and emissions testing applications.
• FID600 Fast HC Analyzer Fast hydrocarbon analyser with modular design offering HC measurement at up to 1kHz for real-drive emissions (RDE), cold start, catalyst heating and EGR measurement applications.
• CLD500 Fast NOx Analyser Chemi-luminescence detector (CLD) for fast NO and NOx measurement, with two-channel capability for cycle-by-cycle NOx emissions analysis in engine and aftertreatment development.
• CLD50 Fast NOx Analyser Fast CLD for ambient or engine NO/NO2 measurement, combining ultra-fast response (100ms T10-90%) with 5ppb sensitivity for roadside pollution studies, pedestrian exposure, and medical inhaled nitric oxide therapy applications.
• NDIR500 Fast CO & CO2 Analyser Non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) analyser for fast two-channel CO and CO2 measurement, used in air-fuel ratio calculation, EGR measurement, and engine cycle-by-cycle analysis.
• NDIR50 Fast CO & CO2 Analyser Enhanced sensitivity fast CO and CO2 analyser in the 50-series, used for real-time gas exchange development and medical research applications.
• DMS500 Mk3 Fast Aerosol Sizer / Particle Analyser Fast engine particulate analyser measuring particle size/number spectra from 5nm to 2.5 microns using electrical mobility, with 10Hz data rate for real-time transient particulate emissions measurement.
• M2AS Mass and Mobility Aerosol Spectrometer Combines mass, size, and density measurements with direct accounting for particle charge, generating detailed fingerprints of engineered nanoparticles for material characterisation.
• MSE Mobility Separator Electrometer Mobility Separator Electrometer for aerosol characterisation co-developed with the University of Cambridge Engineering Department, providing theoretical and experimental validation for aerosol electrical mobility separation.
• 5210 Condensation Particle Counter (CPC) Wide size range condensation particle counter spanning 5 nanometres to 10 microns, used in ambient particle measurement and aerosol calibration applications.
• AAC Aerodynamic Aerosol Classifier Classifies aerosols by aerodynamic diameter from 25nm to 5 micrometres without charging particles, using centrifugal force in a rotating frame, and is referenced in ISO 21501-1:2025.
• CPMA Centrifugal Particle Mass Analyser Classifies particles directly by mass using opposing electrical and centrifugal fields, serving as a primary mass standard for aerosol mass calibration including CERMS applications.
• AD60 Aerosol Diluter Variable dilution system for improved experimental range, with push-button aerosol dilution for particle instrument calibration.
• Aerosol Diffusion Dryer Diffusion dryer for removing moisture from aerosol samples before measurement.
• UDAC Unipolar Diffusion Aerosol Charger Diffusion charger for applying a known charge to aerosol particles for subsequent classification or measurement.
• Aerosol Precipitator (Electrostatic) Electrostatic precipitator for particle conditioning and removal in aerosol measurement systems.
• AF10 Aerosol Flowmeter Flowmeter designed for aerosol-laden gas flows, used in smoking/vaping and particle sizing applications.
• PSL Particle Size Check Kit Aerosol size calibration testing kit using polystyrene latex (PSL) spheres for verifying particle counter and classifier performance.
• CSA Catalytic Stripper Accessory Catalytic stripper accessory for the DMS500 that removes volatile and semi-volatile particles to measure only solid engine particles (legislated for Euro 6 and beyond), achieving T90-10% response of 300ms with 10Hz data.
• SCS Smoking Machine Reproducible smoking machine supporting ISO 3308, ISO 20768, Health Canada Intense, ISO 22486 and user-defined puff profiles for tobacco, cannabis, shisha, heat-not-burn and e-cigarette/vape product testing.
• DPG Particulate Filter Testing System Standalone non-engine DPF/GPF testing system capable of DPF loading at up to 20g/hr, filtration efficiency measurement, regeneration testing, soot mass limit determination, and cold flow testing, diesel fuelled.
• SPR100 Spark Plug Probe Spark plug probe for in-cylinder exhaust port sampling of gases during engine development.
• Powertrain Engineering Services Contract powertrain development and testing services from Cambridge, UK, including 8 transient engine dynamometers, chassis dynamometer, aftertreatment evaluation, ECU calibration and control systems development for the global automotive industry.
• Measurement Consultancy Expert consultancy applying gas and aerosol measurement expertise with degree and PhD qualified scientists and engineers to investigate, measure and resolve customer problems across diverse disciplines.
• Aerosol Science Consultancy Specialist aerosol science consultancy leveraging decades of experience in formation, transport, emission, filtration and measurement of aerosols, with equipped laboratories for particle number, mass, size and filter media characterisation.
• Air Quality Consultancy Local air quality measurement service using fast response instruments with 100ms response and 5ppb NO sensitivity for identifying vehicle emissions, Clean Air Zones analysis, fleet assessment and pedestrian/cyclist exposure studies.
• Product Rental Short-term rental of Cambustion instruments with full support from expert engineers and scientists for operation, design of experiment and data interpretation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Response times in the order of 100 milliseconds paired with 5ppb sensitivity (for NO) allowing identification of individual passing vehicle emissions from the roadside
• +2 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Employee Ownership Trust (EOT)coreOthers · 14 November 2025As of November 14, 2025, Cambustion and CamMotive became owned by an Employee Ownership Trust, meaning the company is now owned on behalf of the people who work there. This represents a significant ownership transition for the company.
• CamMotivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister brand of Cambustion providing E-powertrain development and testing services. CamMotive operates separate test facilities including 4WD chassis dynamometer, 4WD hub dynamometer system, battery cell/module/pack test systems, e-motor testing, and hydrogen test cell specifically designed for testing future powertrains. Both companies share the Cambridge, UK location and work synergistically under the Cambustion group.
• University of CambridgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with the University of Cambridge Engineering Department on aerosol research, including co-authorship of a paper on aerosol electrical mobility separator electrometer published in Aerosol Science and Technology.
• University of AlbertaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-authors with University of Alberta on research papers including work on the aerosol electrical mobility separator electrometer and tandem aerosol classifier open source software project.
• NRC Canada (National Research Council Canada)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with NRC Canada on joint projects including tandem aerosol classifier open source software and research on aerosol calibration methods.
• Rolls-Royce PLCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-authored research paper with Rolls-Royce PLC on CERMS calibration system for black carbon mass analyzers, co-presented at APT 2026 conference.
• Cambridge Particle MeetingminorOthersCambustion sponsors the Cambridge Particle Meeting, a scientific gathering for aerosol and particle researchers in the Cambridge area.
• Massachusetts General HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCambustion CLD50 Fast NO and NO2 analyzer was used in breakthrough research at Massachusetts General Hospital on inhaled high-dose nitric oxide therapy, demonstrating application in medical research.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Strengths5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/cambustion
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCf-WLuZq_JEOK4JPCJ2A4Aw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cambustion

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Cambustion