ELEMENT 3-5
ELEMENT 3-5 GmbH is a German semiconductor equipment manufacturer that builds low-temperature plasma epitaxy systems (ACCELERATOR 3500K, ENABLER 150K) for wide-bandgap semiconductors serving LED, microLED, power electronics, and 5G/6G telecom manufacturers worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersBaesweiler, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What ELEMENT 3-5 does
ELEMENT 3-5 GmbH is a German deep-tech semiconductor equipment manufacturer founded in 2010 as a spin-off from RWTH Aachen University (originally as AIXaTECH GmbH, rebranded October 2022) and headquartered in Baesweiler, Germany, with additional design and engineering sites in Glauchau and Penig. The company develops and manufactures epitaxy systems for wide-bandgap semiconductors (SiC, GaN, AlN, AlScN) using its proprietary Next Level Epitaxy (NLE) platform, a low-temperature plasma-based deposition process operating below 300°C versus conventional MOCVD/MBE processes above 1000°C. Its product portfolio centers on the ACCELERATOR 3500K mass-production epitaxy system (also ICP and ion sources acquired via RHoPTec GmbH in 2023) for LED, miniLED, microLED, HEMT, and high-power electronics applications, and the ENABLER 150K system for bulk acoustic wave filters in 5G/6G telecommunications, supplemented by epitaxial wafer and component sales.
The company operates a direct enterprise field sales model targeting semiconductor manufacturers worldwide, with go-to-market driven by participation in SEMICON Europa, SEMICON Japan, ICSCRM, NRW Nano Conference, and the World Congress of Advanced Materials. Revenue is generated from hardware sales of capital equipment (ACCELERATOR 3500K, ENABLER 150K, ICP/Ion sources, SiC epi wafers, AlN templates) and related process technology services. The company is venture-backed, having closed a double-digit EUR million Series A in February 2022 led by AVV Investment GmbH with CYCLE Group, and is additionally supported by large non-dilutive public funding (notably the EUR 21.5M GREEN EPITAXY lighthouse project approved December 2024 and the EPIWIN project launched May 2024). ELEMENT 3-5 is in early commercialization, having delivered first pilot systems to customers in 2025, and is recognized with multiple 2025 innovation awards including TOP 100 Innovator of the Year (size class A) and the German Innovation Award.
ELEMENT 3-5 firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ELEMENT 3-5
- Legal name
- ELEMENT 3-5 GMBH
- Website
- https://element3-5.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- ELEMENT 3-5 GmbH is a German semiconductor equipment manufacturer that builds low-temperature plasma epitaxy systems (ACCELERATOR 3500K, ENABLER 150K) for wide-bandgap semiconductors serving LED, microLED, power electronics, and 5G/6G telecom manufacturers worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ELEMENT 3-5 industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Semiconductor Capital Equipment
- NAICS
- Semiconductor Machinery Manufacturing (333242), Other Electronic Component Manufacturing (334419)
- SIC
- Electronic Components, Nec (3679), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Deposition Equipment (CVD/PVD/ALD/Epitaxy) (HDAHAEAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Epitaxy Materials & Services (Epi Wafers/MBE/MOCVD) (HDAHAGAC), Wafer Services & Reclaim (Epitaxy, Thinning, Reclaim) (HDAHACAH)
Keywords
Where ELEMENT 3-5 is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Baesweiler
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
ELEMENT 3-5 business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Epitaxy systems and equipment: Sale of ACCELERATOR 3500K and ENABLER 150K epitaxy systems for semiconductor manufacturing. Systems priced as capital equipment for enterprise customers.
- Epitaxy wafer solutions: Production and sale of epitaxial wafers including SiC epi wafers and AlN templates.
- ICP and Ion sources: Sale of inductively coupled plasma (ICP) sources and ion sources as components for semiconductor equipment.
- Process technology services: Technical support, process optimization, and implementation services for customers deploying ELEMENT 3-5 technology.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
ELEMENT 3-5 product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ELEMENT 3-5 GmbH develops, manufactures, and sells capital equipment for wide-bandgap semiconductor epitaxy, centered on its proprietary Next Level Epitaxy (NLE) low-temperature plasma process. The company offers two main epitaxy systems — the ACCELERATOR 3500K for mass production of monocrystalline templates (LEDs, mini/microLEDs, HEMTs, power electronics) and the ENABLER 150K for bulk acoustic wave filter production — along with ICP and ion source components, epitaxial wafer solutions (SiC epi wafers, AlN templates), and supporting process technology services.
Product overview
ELEMENT 3-5 is a semiconductor equipment manufacturer offering two main epitaxy system products: ACCELERATOR 3500K for monocrystalline template production serving LED, display, and power electronics applications, and ENABLER 150K for bulk acoustic wave filter production in telecommunications. The company's proprietary Next Level Epitaxy (NLE) technology platform underpins both systems, enabling low-temperature (<300°C) deposition of wide-bandgap semiconductor materials with up to 90% energy savings. The portfolio also includes ICP and Ion source components developed through the acquisition of RHoPTec GmbH. The company provides complete process solutions from requirements analysis through system evaluation to implementation support.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- ACCELERATOR 3500K Mass-production epitaxy system for monocrystalline templates used in LED, miniLED, microLED, and HEMT manufacturing. Provides ten times the capacity of conventional MOCVD systems with 70% cost reduction, particle-free vertical-alignment production, and single-crystal layer qualities with high homogeneity. Targeted at semiconductor manufacturers and LED/display producers.
- ENABLER 150K Epitaxy system for monocrystalline bulk acoustic wave (BAW) filter production, enabling growth of AlN or AlScN piezoelectric materials for modern and future mobile communications (5G and beyond). Provides high layer homogeneity and excellent layer quality. Targeted at telecommunications equipment and RF filter manufacturers.
- Epitaxy Wafer Solutions Production and sale of epitaxial wafers, including SiC epitaxial wafers and aluminum nitride (AlN) templates, providing customers with monocrystalline starting layers for subsequent GaN growth or further device processing. Targeted at semiconductor manufacturers seeking ready-made epitaxial substrates.
- ICP and Ion Sources Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) sources and ion sources sold as components for semiconductor epitaxy equipment, developed from acquired RHoPTec technology. Available as standalone components or as part of ELEMENT 3-5's epitaxy system offerings. Targeted at semiconductor equipment manufacturers and process engineers.
- Process Technology Services Professional services including technology roadmap analysis, technical support, process optimization, and implementation support for customers deploying ELEMENT 3-5 epitaxy systems. Targeted at enterprise customers integrating the systems into their manufacturing process chains.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 90% energy savings in semiconductor production
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use ELEMENT 3-5
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
ELEMENT 3-5 technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
ELEMENT 3-5 partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPTcoreGREEN EPITAXY project partner developing automation approaches, substrate structuring methods, and solutions for efficient subsequent process design.
- NMWP Management GmbHcoreGREEN EPITAXY project partner focusing on technology impact assessment and evaluating potential for follow-on industries and their settlement.
- Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILTcoreEPIWIN project partner contributing many years of experience in laser structuring. Project combines Next Level Epitaxy with laser structuring processes for low-dislocation layer production.
- Innolite GmbHcoreEPIWIN project partner contributing expertise in production of high-precision optical elements.
- Coherent Laser Systems GmbHminorAssociated partner in EPIWIN project, contributing to laser structuring processes.
- European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC)minorMembership in EPIC provides access to extensive network of over 800 companies and leading scientific institutions across 35 countries. Benefits include education, training, collaboration on European photonics projects, funding opportunities, market and technical research.
- RHoPTec GmbHcoreAcquired company specializing in plasma and ion beam technology development. Full takeover completed April 26, 2023. RHoPTec expertise in beam source development now integrated in-house. Site in Penig continues as development site.
- SEMIminorAssociate member of global industry association for electronics manufacturing and design supply chain. Enables role in forging future international standards, complex technology roadmaps, and collaborative research for new product development.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights7 records
ELEMENT 3-5 competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- ASM International: Dutch-headquartered supplier of deposition equipment (ALD, epitaxy, PECVD) for semiconductor fabs. Overlaps with ELEMENT 3-5 in epitaxy and thin-film deposition equipment categories.
- Applied Materials: Largest global semiconductor equipment company offering a broad portfolio including epitaxy and CVD/PVD deposition systems. Overlaps with ELEMENT 3-5 in advanced deposition for compound semiconductors but competes from a vastly broader equipment platform.
- Tokyo Electron (TEL): Major Japanese semiconductor equipment manufacturer offering deposition, etch and clean systems, including epitaxy tools. Much broader portfolio than ELEMENT 3-5 but overlaps in the deposition/epitaxy equipment category.
- NAURA Technology Group: China's largest semiconductor equipment group, offering epitaxy, CVD/PVD, etch and cleaning tools. Competes with ELEMENT 3-5 particularly in WBG and SiC epitaxy but at much greater scale and scope.
Direct peers
- RIBER SA: French manufacturer of Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE) systems and related evaporation sources used in compound semiconductor R&D and production. Comparable as a niche European epitaxy equipment specialist.
- Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment (AMEC): China-headquartered supplier of epitaxy, etch and CVD equipment for semiconductor fabs. Competes in the same WBG and advanced-node epitaxy equipment market that ELEMENT 3-5 targets.
- Aixtron SE: German MOCVD epitaxy equipment manufacturer and the dominant supplier of deposition tools for LEDs, GaN power electronics and SiC. Most directly comparable company to ELEMENT 3-5, competing head-to-head in WBG semiconductor epitaxy systems.
- Veeco Instruments: US-based supplier of MOCVD and ion beam deposition systems for LEDs, microLEDs, power electronics and photonics. Closest US analog to ELEMENT 3-5's ACCELERATOR 3500K and ENABLER 150K product lines.
- LPE S.p.A. Italian supplier of epitaxial reactors and SiC epitaxy systems for power electronics. Directly comparable European epitaxy equipment vendor with overlapping power-electronics and SiC customer base.
Emerging players
- Plasma-Therm: US supplier of plasma etch, CVD and PECVD systems for compound semiconductors, MEMS and photonics. Comparable as a smaller-scale plasma-based equipment vendor serving similar compound-semiconductor R&D and production customers.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Customer concentration
ELEMENT 3-5 social profiles
Digital presenceELEMENT 3-5 financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ELEMENT 3-5 leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
ELEMENT 3-5 subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
ELEMENT 3-5 funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ELEMENT 3-5 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 ELEMENT 3-5
What does ELEMENT 3-5 do?
ELEMENT 3-5 GmbH develops, manufactures, and sells capital equipment for wide-bandgap semiconductor epitaxy, centered on its proprietary Next Level Epitaxy (NLE) low-temperature plasma process. The company offers two main epitaxy systems — the ACCELERATOR 3500K for mass production of monocrystalline templates (LEDs, mini/microLEDs, HEMTs, power electronics) and the ENABLER 150K for bulk acoustic wave filter production — along with ICP and ion source components, epitaxial wafer solutions (SiC epi wafers, AlN templates), and supporting process technology services.
Is ELEMENT 3-5 a public or private company?
ELEMENT 3-5 is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was ELEMENT 3-5 founded?
ELEMENT 3-5 was founded in 2010. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is ELEMENT 3-5 based?
ELEMENT 3-5 is headquartered in Baesweiler, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does ELEMENT 3-5 make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Epitaxy systems and equipment is the primary driver. The others are epitaxy wafer solutions, ICP and Ion sources and process technology services.
Who are ELEMENT 3-5's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are ASM International, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron (TEL) and NAURA Technology Group. Direct peers are RIBER SA, Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment (AMEC), Aixtron SE, Veeco Instruments and LPE S.p.A.. Plasma-Therm is listed as an emerging player.
Does ELEMENT 3-5 have an API?
No public API is recorded for ELEMENT 3-5.
What industry is ELEMENT 3-5 in?
ELEMENT 3-5's product category is Semiconductor Capital Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHAEAB, Deposition Equipment (CVD/PVD/ALD/Epitaxy), with a secondary code of HDAHAGAC, Epitaxy Materials & Services (Epi Wafers/MBE/MOCVD). Its NAICS code is 333242 and its SIC code is 3679.