ZAHNER-elektrik

What ZAHNER-elektrik does

Zahner-Elektrik GmbH & Co. KG is a privately held German manufacturer of high-precision electrochemical instrumentation, founded in 1976 and headquartered in Kreuzwertheim (Kronach area), Germany, with 11-50 employees. The company designs and builds potentiostats and galvanostats centered on its IM7 series modular platform, integrated frequency response analyzers, and the CIMPS photoelectrochemistry/spectroscopy product family. Its technology is differentiated by proprietary analog front-end design (32-bit DC / 24-bit AC resolution), the Z-HIT (Zweipol-Hilbert Transformation) EIS validation method, EIS frequency ranges up to 12 MHz, and CIMPS active light feedback control with calibrated LEDs from 275 nm to 1550 nm. The modular architecture supports application-specific configurations via addon cards (PAD42, EPC42, TEMP-U2, MIO, RMUX16, BC-MUX) and external potentiostats/electronic loads reaching up to 680 A for fuel cell and electrolyzer stack testing.

Name

ZAHNER-elektrik

Legal name

Zahner-Elektrik GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://zahner.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Zahner-Elektrik is a German manufacturer of high-precision potentiostats, galvanostats, and CIMPS photoelectrochemistry systems, serving academic, battery, fuel cell, electrolyzer, and corrosion research labs in global markets via direct sales and distributors since 1976.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electrochemical Measurement Instruments

NAICS

Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515)

SIC

Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)

akta.pro primary industry

Power Management & Power ICs (HDAHAAAE)

Keywords

• Electrochemical workstations
• High-precision potentiostats
• Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
• Photoelectrochemistry instruments
• Galvanostat equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Kronach

HQ country

Germany

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. High-precision Potentiostat Hardware: Sale of modular potentiostats (IM7x, IM7, IM7c) and external power potentiostats (PP212/222/242, XPOT2). Potentiostats range from compact benchtop units to high-power systems supporting up to 680A. Revenue is primarily one-time hardware sale with optional addon cards and extensions.
2. Photoelectrochemical Systems (CIMPS): Complete CIMPS workstations for photoelectrochemistry and photovoltaic research including light sources, cells, and extensions (CIMPS-ABS, CIMPS-EMIT, CIMPS-PCS, CIMPS-FIT, CIMPS-MDTR/OIS).
3. Software Licenses: Zahner Lab measurement software and Zahner Analysis data evaluation software. Potentiostats include 3 Zahner Analysis licenses. Software supports C++ and Python API control.
4. Accessories and Consumables: Cables (Shielded, LoZ, High Current), cell kits (KMZ3, KMZ5, AMZ60, PEC-Cells), Faraday cages, light exclusion boxes, and thermocouples.
5. Entry-Level Potentiostat Distribution: Distribution of Admiral Instruments Squidstat product line (Solo, Prime, Plus) as authorized reseller for entry-level electrochemical instrumentation.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ZAHNER-elektrik manufactures high-precision electrochemical workstations, primarily modular potentiostats and galvanostats (IM7x, IM7, IM7c) with integrated frequency response analyzers for electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) up to 12 MHz. The product portfolio also includes the CIMPS photoelectrochemistry family, external power potentiostats, electronic loads, addon cards, multiplexer extensions, and Zahner Lab/Analysis control software. The systems serve research institutions, universities, and industrial R&D labs working on batteries, fuel cells, electrolyzers, photovoltaics, coatings, and fundamental electrochemistry.

Product overview

ZAHNER-elektrik is a German manufacturer of high-precision electrochemical instruments founded in 1976. The product portfolio is organized around modular potentiostat systems (IM7x, IM7, IM7c) as the core platform, extended with external power potentiostats (PP212/222/242, XPOT2), electronic loads (EL1002), and frequency response analyzer probes (FRA-Probe, FRA-X) for high-power applications. Photoelectrochemical capabilities are provided through the CIMPS system family with extensions for emission (CIMPS-EMIT), absorption (CIMPS-ABS), IPCE/quantum efficiency (CIMPS-PCS), fast transient (CIMPS-FIT), and optical impedance (CIMPS-MDTR/OIS) measurements. System expandability is achieved through addon cards (EPC42, PAD42, TEMP-U2, MIO, RMUX16, BC-MUX), specialized probes (Shielded Cable Set, LoZ-Cable, FRA-Probe, FRA-X), and cell kits (PEC-Cells, KMZ3, KMZ5, AMZ60). All systems are controlled via Zahner Lab measurement software and Zahner Analysis software, with Python/C++ APIs for automation. Accessories include Light Exclusion Box, Faraday Cage, and various cable sets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ZENNIUM: Previous generation of Zahner potentiostats (ZENNIUM X, ZENNIUM PRO, ZENNIUM XC).
• CIMPS
• IM7

Products and services

• IM7x Potentiostat Modular high-end potentiostat/galvanostat with integrated frequency response analyzer offering 32-bit DC and 24-bit AC resolution, EIS frequency range up to 12 MHz, current up to ±4 A, and up to 33 parallel EIS channels via 8 PAD42 cards. Designed for advanced electrochemical research applications.
• IM7 Potentiostat Modular potentiostat/galvanostat with integrated frequency response analyzer offering 32-bit DC and 24-bit AC resolution, EIS frequency range up to 8 MHz, current up to ±3 A, and up to 5 parallel EIS channels. Suitable for general and advanced electrochemical research applications.
• IM7c Potentiostat Compact potentiostat/galvanostat with integrated frequency response analyzer offering 32-bit DC and 24-bit AC resolution, EIS frequency range up to 5 MHz, current up to ±2 A, and input impedance over 10 TΩ. Designed for high-impedance measurements such as coatings and corrosion studies.
• CIMPS System LED-based Controlled Intensity-Modulated Photo Spectroscopy (CIMPS) system for photoelectrochemical and photovoltaic measurements, featuring an active light feedback loop that maintains constant light intensity during measurements. Serves solar cell, photocatalysis, and photoelectrochemistry research.
• CIMPS-EMIT CIMPS extension for integral and spectral-resolved light emission measurements to characterize electroluminescent processes. Uses NIST-traceable calibrated photodetector or UV-VIS-NIR spectrometer.
• CIMPS-ABS CIMPS extension for spectral-resolved transmittance/absorbance measurements to characterize electrochromic processes, using a reference cell to eliminate light loss artifacts.
• CIMPS-PCS CIMPS extension for true incident photon-to-current efficiency (IPCE)/quantum efficiency measurements of photoelectrodes or solar cells using a tunable light source with LED-based wavelength selection, avoiding mechanical choppers and noise-prone Lock-In techniques.
• CIMPS-FIT CIMPS extension enabling fast light-intensity transient measurements with 50 ns resolution to investigate fast kinetics in organic, dye-sensitized, and monolithic solar cells.
• CIMPS-MDTR/OIS CIMPS extension for multi-spectral dynamic transmittance and optical impedance spectroscopy measurements to characterize electrochromic systems and color/opacity switching times.
• PP212 Power Potentiostat 4-quadrant power potentiostat extension providing up to ±10 A current at ±20 V compliance voltage (200 W), for medium-power fuel cell, electrolyzer, and battery applications.
• PP222 Power Potentiostat 4-quadrant power potentiostat extension providing up to ±20 A current at ±10 V compliance voltage (200 W), for medium-power electrochemical applications.
• PP242 Power Potentiostat 4-quadrant power potentiostat extension providing up to ±40 A current at ±5 V compliance voltage (200 W), designed for high-current battery and fuel cell measurements.
• XPOT2 Auxiliary Potentiostat High-precision auxiliary potentiostat adding bi-potentiostat functionality to IM7/ZENNIUM for rotating ring-disk electrode (RRDE) measurements, providing up to ±500 mA and ±25 V compliance.
• EL1002 Electronic Load Single-quadrant electronic load optimized for EIS measurements on high-power systems, supporting up to 200 A, 100 V, and 1 kW, with EXT+ connection enabling up to 680 A operation.
• FRA-X Probe Interface probe enabling EIS measurements on external devices at high power ranges up to 2000 A and 1400 V with galvanically isolated measurements for large fuel cell and electrolyzer stacks.
• FRA-Probe Interface probe enabling IM7/ZENNIUM to modulate and perform EIS on third-party potentiostats or electronic loads, expanding power range for measurements on extreme samples such as full-stack fuel cells.
• BC-MUX Battery Cycling Multiplexer Battery cycling multiplexer linking battery cyclers to IM7/ZENNIUM for EIS measurements, addressing up to 16 channels for sequential EIS on connected batteries with galvanic isolation from the cycler.
• Zahner Lab Software Measurement software for controlling IM7/ZENNIUM potentiostats and extensions, featuring a structured design for both basic and complex experiments with a Custom Experiment Builder for automated routines.
• Zahner Analysis Software Data analysis software for evaluation of electrochemical measurements with advanced EIS fitting algorithms and a model editor for impedance data interpretation.
• Zahner Python/C++ APIs (zahner_link) Programming APIs (zahner_link) with C++ core and Python bindings for remote control of Zahner potentiostats via WebSocket connections exchanging JSON objects, enabling teststand integration and custom automation.

Quantifiable outcome

• EIS frequency range up to 12 MHz (IM7x), enabling characterization of fast electrochemical processes
• +3 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Admiral InstrumentsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorZahner serves as authorized reseller/distributor for Admiral Instruments' Squidstat product line (Squidstat Solo, Prime, and Plus entry-level potentiostats). These compact, lightweight potentiostats are designed for low-current DC and AC experiments and complement Zahner's high-end instrumentation portfolio.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BioLogic: French manufacturer of high-end electrochemical workstations (SP-series potentiostats, VMP-multichannel) and EIS instruments. Closest direct competitor to Zahner's IM7 line, serving overlapping battery, fuel cell, and corrosion research customers in academia and industry.
• Metrohm Autolab: Part of Metrohm Group, Autolab manufactures modular potentiostats (PGSTAT series) with FRA and NOVA software for electrochemistry research. Direct peer offering comparable modular architecture and EIS capabilities for university and industrial R&D labs.
• Gamry Instruments: US-based manufacturer of potentiostats (Reference, Interface, IMX series) and EIS instruments serving corrosion, battery, and sensor research. Direct competitor with overlapping application focus, particularly in coatings and corrosion characterization.
• Solartron Analytical: AMETEK-owned brand producing high-precision impedance analyzers and potentiostats for electrochemical and materials research. Competes with Zahner on wide-frequency-range EIS in materials, battery, and fuel-cell research.
• CH Instruments: US manufacturer of electrochemical workstations widely used in academic labs. Competes with Zahner on general electrochemistry and corrosion research, typically at lower price points and broader installed base.
• Ivium Technologies: European manufacturer of compact and modular potentiostats (IviumStat, CompactStat) targeting battery, corrosion, and sensor research. Direct peer competing on modularity and integration features.

Emerging players

• PalmSens: Dutch manufacturer of compact, portable potentiostats (EmStat series) increasingly used in sensor, battery, and field-deployable electrochemistry. Competes for entry-level and smaller-budget customers, partially overlapping with Zahner's Squidstat distribution line.
• Scribner Associates: US-based manufacturer of fuel cell and electrolyzer test stations (850e, 885/FuelCon) and related software. Partially overlapping with Zahner's high-power potentiostat offering for stack-level EIS and polarization testing.

Broad incumbents

• Princeton Applied Research (AMETEK): AMETEK-owned brand of laboratory potentiostats and electrochemical workstations. Broader incumbent competing primarily in academic and industrial electrochemistry, often within larger institutional vendor agreements that Zahner may compete against.

Others

• Admiral Instruments: US manufacturer of Squidstat entry-level potentiostats that Zahner distributes as an authorized reseller. They are both an ecosystem partner and a peer at the lower end of the electrochemical workstation market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/ZahnerDe
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/11696483
• Facebookfacebook.com/ZAHNERelektrik

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 ZAHNER-elektrik