What Sonaxis does

Sonaxis S.A. is a Besançon, France-based industrial company founded in 2002 that designs and manufactures custom-made ultrasonic probes using proprietary piezo-composite technology. The firm targets non-destructive testing (NDT) and imaging applications across aeronautics, aerospace, automotive, steel, oil, nuclear, and energy verticals, with an emerging research presence in medical imaging through EU-funded consortia. Its product portfolio covers six categories: Matrix (2D) phased array transducers for multi-angle and 3D inspection, Linear (1D) phased array transducers for high-speed scanning of plates, tubes, bars, and welds, piezo-composite transducers as the core offering for defect detection in opaque materials, single-crystal high-frequency transducers for micro-defect characterization (inclusions, porosities, delaminations), the proprietary Sepema IV ultrasound generator system (low-frequency, 400V tuneable pulser, 25 KHz–10 MHz, 4–6 channels, CE approved), and complementary accessories (wedges, cables, adaptors).

The business model centers on direct B2B sales of custom-configured probe hardware plus generator systems to enterprise customers, with secondary revenue from EU research project participation and sub-contract manufacturing for academic/industrial partners. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and the company relies on a sales-led motion through [email protected], downloadable product data sheets, and presence at major NDT exhibitions (COFREND, ECNDT, BINDT, ASNT). The firm operates a closed-loop water recycling system for its micro-cutting machines (100% recycled, renewed twice yearly) and holds ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certifications. Sonaxis is a private Société Anonyme with 11–50 employees, headquartered in new eco-responsible premises at the Temis technology park built in 2020, and has no disclosed investors, parent company, or M&A activity.

Geographically, Sonaxis serves European customers primarily from France with conference-driven outreach into Italy, the UK, and the US. Strategic direction over the past decade has been shaped by participation in five EU-funded research projects — LOCOMACHS (2013–2016, aerospace composites → Sepema IV), INNODERM (2016–2021, skin cancer RSOM, 1st Prize INNODERM 2021), ESOTRAC (2017–2021, esophageal cancer endoscope), WINTHER (2020–2025, cardiometabolic F-RSOM), and RSENSE (2020–2025, portable optoacoustic sensing). The company received The Anne Birt Award in 2022 and celebrated its 20-year milestone that same year.

Name

Sonaxis

Legal name

SONAXIS S.A.

Website

https://sonaxis.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sonaxis is a Besançon, France-based designer and manufacturer of custom-made piezo-composite ultrasonic probes for industrial non-destructive testing in aerospace, automotive, steel, oil, nuclear, and energy sectors, with the proprietary Sepema IV generator system and medical imaging R&D via EU consortia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Non-Destructive Testing Equipment

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

NDT/NDE Inspection Equipment (Ultrasonic, eddy current, radiography, thermography) (IMAGAFAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Industrial-Grade Sensors & Transducer Components (Discrete sensing elements, transducers, MEMS sensors) (IMAGAJAO)

Keywords

• Ultrasound probes
• Piezo-composite transducers
• Phased array inspection
• Non-destructive testing
• Ultrasound imaging systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Besançon

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Ultrasound Probes: Manufacturing and distribution of custom-made piezo-composite ultrasound probes for industrial non-destructive testing applications
2. Sepema IV Ultrasound Generator: Sale of ultrasound generator systems (Sepema IV) developed in the LOCOMACHS European project for aerospace composite inspection
3. Accessories: Sale of accessories including wedges, cables, adaptors for ultrasound probes

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Sonaxis manufactures and distributes custom-made piezo-composite ultrasound probes and transducers for industrial non-destructive testing (NDT) and imaging applications. Its product portfolio includes matrix (2D) and linear (1D) phased array transducers, piezo-composite transducers, high-frequency single-crystal transducers, the proprietary Sepema IV low-frequency ultrasound generator system, and supporting accessories (wedges, cables, adaptors).

Product overview

Sonaxis is a manufacturer and distributor of custom-made piezo-composite ultrasound probes for industrial non-destructive testing. The product portfolio consists of six main offerings: Matrix (2D) Phased Array Transducers for 3D imaging and multi-angle inspections; Linear (1D) Phased Array Transducers for high-speed inspection of long products; Piezo-composite Transducers as the core technology for defect detection in opaque materials; High Frequency Transducers for micro-defect detection; Sepema IV Ultrasound System as a supporting generator hardware; and Accessories (wedges, adaptors, cables) as supplementary components. All transducer products are based on proprietary piezo-composite technology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Matrix (2D) Phased Array Transducers Custom-made 2D phased array ultrasound transducers built with piezo-composite technology for multi-angle inspections and 3D image reconstructions. Capable of steering the beam in any direction and angle when defect orientation is unknown. Available in immersion or contact inspection technique.
• Linear (1D) Phased Array Transducers Custom 1D phased array ultrasound transducers for flexible and high-speed inspection of long products including plates, tubes, bars, composite panels, and welds. A single probe enables scanning with various focus distances and angles. Available in immersion or contact inspection technique with piezo-composite technology.
• Piezo-composite Transducers Custom-made piezo-composite ultrasound transducers for detecting and sizing defects in opaque materials including steel, ceramics, polymers, composite materials, concrete, and welds. Delivers high sensitivity, broad-band signals, and enables focused probes without lenses. Available in immersion, contact, or TOFD technique.
• High Frequency Transducers Single-crystal high-frequency ultrasound transducers designed to detect and characterize very small defects such as inclusions, porosities, or delaminations in raw materials, welds, composite materials, silicon components, and ultrasonic microscopes. Provide high sensitivity, broad-band signals, and no stray echoes.
• Sepema IV Ultrasound System Low-frequency, high-power ultrasound generator developed for driving air-coupled and low-frequency transducers in aerospace composite inspection. Features 400V tuneable squared burst pulser, single or multichannel (4-6 channels) configuration, 25 KHz to 10 MHz frequency range, 12-bit digitization at 200 MHz, manages 2-4 encoder axis, and is CE approved.
• Ultrasound Probe Accessories Custom-designed accessories for Sonaxis ultrasound probes including solid and flexible wedges for single or multi-element probes, squirter techniques, and cable adaptors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Water consumption reduced from 32 m3 per day to equivalent of a family of 4
• +1 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• WINTHER ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020EU-funded project (2020-2025) developing next-generation fast RSOM (F-RSOM) technology that is two orders of magnitude faster than existing RSOM, enabling assessment of endothelial functions for cardiometabolic diseases and inflammatory skin conditions. Sonaxis participates as a partner developing ultrasound probe technology.
• RSENSE ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020EU-funded project (2020-2025) developing novel, revolutionary portable optoacoustic (PROPT) technology for sensing applications in healthcare, environmental and automotive sectors. Sonaxis contributes probe technology expertise.
• Grand BesançonminorOthers · 1 January 2020Supported construction of Sonaxis's new eco-responsible premises in 2020
• Bourgogne-Franche-Comté RegionminorOthers · 1 January 2020Supported construction of Sonaxis's new eco-responsible premises in 2020
• ESOTRAC ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017EU-funded project (2017-2021) developing hybrid optical and optoacoustic endoscope for significantly improved detection of early-stage esophageal cancer. The interdisciplinary 5-country research team combines MSOT with OCT technologies.
• INNODERM ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016EU-funded project (2016-2021) developing novel optoacoustic device for earlier non-invasive skin cancer diagnosis. Driven by leading dermatologists and market-leading SMEs in optoacoustic and ultrasound technology. Sonaxis designed and prototyped handheld, portable RSOM device.
• LOCOMACHS ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013EU-funded project (2013-2016) dedicated to aerospace composite inspection. The Sepema IV ultrasound system was developed over 6 years as part of this project, featuring air-coupled and low frequency transducer control with 400V tuneable squared burst pulser.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sonatest: UK-based manufacturer of ultrasonic flaw detectors, transducers, and phased-array probes for industrial NDT. Direct competitor in the same product category, serving aerospace and industrial inspection customers.
• Imasonic: France-headquartered specialist in piezo-composite and ultrasonic transducer arrays for industrial, medical, and NDT applications. Closest direct competitor to Sonaxis given overlapping piezo-composite manufacturing capability, French base, and similar target verticals.
• Karl Deutsch: German manufacturer of ultrasonic testing instruments and probes for industrial NDT. Direct competitor serving similar automotive, steel, and aerospace customers with comparable phased-array and conventional UT technology.
• Sonotec (SONOTEC GmbH): German manufacturer of ultrasonic transducers and non-contact testing solutions for industrial applications. Direct competitor in industrial ultrasonic sensors and NDT probes with comparable B2B sales motion.

Regional players

• Tecnatom: Spanish NDT and inspection services provider with proprietary ultrasonic equipment for aerospace and nuclear applications. Comparable ultrasonic probe and inspection capability but primarily serving Southern European markets where Sonaxis also competes.

Broad incumbents

• Mistras Group: Large US-based provider of NDT products, services, and condition monitoring including ultrasonic inspection. Offers broader portfolio including services that compete indirectly with Sonaxis probes on aerospace and infrastructure inspection projects.
• Evident (formerly Olympus Industrial): Global leader in industrial NDT and inspection equipment including ultrasonic flaw detectors and phased-array probes. Significantly larger with broader portfolio and global service network, but competes directly with Sonaxis in aerospace and industrial NDT.
• Waygate Technologies (formerly GE Inspection Technologies): Broad industrial NDT equipment provider under Baker Hughes offering ultrasonic, eddy current, and radiographic inspection systems. Competes indirectly with Sonaxis probes through integrated system sales to aerospace and energy customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sonaxis

Compliance2 records

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 Sonaxis