CTS Europe

What CTS Europe does

CTS Europe Ltd. is a UK-headquartered designer and manufacturer of laboratory containment systems, founded in 2010 by Sean Codling in Portsmouth, Hampshire. The company produces powder weighing enclosures (e.g., the ST1 with validated ECL of 15ng/m³), high-potency powder vented balance enclosures, powder handling isolators, gloveboxes (SafetyBox™), climatically controlled enclosures (ClimateZone™), and the patented LungZone™ inhalation testing system. Core technology centres on HEPA filtration, negative pressure containment, vibration-controlled weighing environments, and validated exposure control limits (ECL/OEL) tested to EN14175, ASHRAE110, and ISPE guidelines. Products are predominantly 100% British-designed and manufactured at the company's purpose-built Portsmouth facility, with a smaller share delivered as bespoke engineered systems.

The company's commercial model combines direct sales from its UK headquarters with a curated channel partner network covering Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland, Ireland, India, Malta, and Brazil, supplying pharmaceutical and laboratory customers across 40+ countries. Revenue is generated from hardware sales (standard product portfolio plus custom-built bespoke enclosures), recurring accessories and consumables, and a service layer comprising calibration, certification, validation, and Safe Weighing training workshops. Pricing is quote-based, with no public list prices, and the customer base is anchored in pharmaceutical R&D and analytical laboratories handling potent active pharmaceutical ingredients.

CTS Europe holds ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications, is Cyber Essentials certified, and was awarded the Queen's Award for Enterprise: Innovation in 2019, followed by consecutive Best Global Business wins at The News Business Excellence Awards in 2024 and 2025. The company operates alongside three sister entities — Lab-Bubble (entry-level fume hoods), gloveboxgloves.co.uk (consumables), and KI-DISCUS (microbiological cabinet testing) — and has a co-development relationship with a1-safetech on vented balance safety enclosures. The business is privately held, founder-controlled, and operates with no disclosed external institutional funding.

Name

CTS Europe

Legal name

CTS Europe Ltd.

Website

https://containment-technology.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CTS Europe Ltd. designs and manufactures laboratory containment systems — powder weighing enclosures, isolators, gloveboxes, and climate-controlled enclosures — for pharmaceutical R&D and analytical laboratories worldwide, distributed directly and via a global channel partner network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Laboratory Containment Systems

NAICS

Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing (333310)

SIC

Laboratory Apparatus & Furniture (3821)

akta.pro primary industry

Lab Safety, PPE & Contamination Control (Hoods, Biosafety Cabinets, Clean Air) (HLAGAIAK)

Keywords

• Laboratory containment systems
• Powder weighing enclosures
• Pharmaceutical containment equipment
• Glove box isolators
• Local exhaust ventilation

Headquarters

HQ city

Portsmouth

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Laboratory Safety Enclosure Sales: Sale of powder handling enclosures, gloveboxes, isolators, instrument enclosures, and climate controlled enclosures to pharmaceutical and laboratory customers. Products range from small portable devices to large scale custom-built containment systems.
2. Accessories and Consumables: Sale of accessories including bubbler systems, continuous liners, cleaning wipes, cleaning stations, cleaning kits, HiPo Cyclone, vacuum systems, static control ionizing bars, UV contamination kits, and waste chute assemblies.
3. Service and Validation: Technical service, calibration, certification, and validation services for laboratory containment systems. Preventive maintenance on rolling contract basis (semi-annual or annual).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CTS Europe designs, manufactures, and commissions laboratory containment systems for the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. Their product portfolio includes powder weighing enclosures, glove boxes, isolators, instrument enclosures, local exhaust ventilation (LEV) systems, and climate-controlled enclosures for handling potent drug compounds. All systems are 100% British designed and manufactured at their Portsmouth headquarters.

Product overview

CTS Europe is a manufacturer of laboratory containment systems for the pharmaceutical and chemical industry worldwide. The company designs, constructs and commissions mobile and bench mounted laboratory containment systems. The product portfolio consists of four main categories of specialized enclosures: Powder Weighing Enclosures (including the ST1 Potent Powder Weighing Enclosure, High Potency Powder Vented Balance Enclosure, and Bulk Powder Weighing Enclosures) for safe weighing environments; Instrument Enclosures and LEV Systems (including Acrylic and Stainless Steel enclosures, LEV Sliding Sash enclosures, Particle Sizer enclosures, and Multi Use LEV enclosures) for protecting analysts during analysis and sample preparation; Glove Boxes and Isolators (including the Powder Handling Isolator and SafetyBox™) providing sealed environments for handling potent compounds; and ClimateZone™ Climatically Controlled Enclosures for temperature and humidity sensitive drug compounds. The LungZone™ provides specialized inhalation drug testing replicating lung conditions. Supporting accessories include cleaning systems, filtration components, vacuum systems, and waste management solutions. Bespoke custom-built solutions are available for specific requirements. Services include design consultation, manufacturing, validation, and Safe Weighing Training Workshops.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Lab-Bubble: Powder handling system and enclosures for laboratory and industrial applications.
• KI-Discus

Products and services

• ST1 Potent Powder Weighing Enclosure The recognized worldwide leader for safe weighing environments, specifically designed and independently tested to protect analysts from airborne contaminants when weighing potent pharmaceutical compounds. ECL 15ng/m3, tested to EN14175 and ASHRAE110 standards, with turbulence-free weighing environment, safe change HEPA filtration, and ceramic base for vibration resistance.
• High Potency Powder Vented Balance Enclosure (HiPo VBET) Specifically designed for the weighing and manipulation of high potency powders with independently surrogate tested ECL of less than 20ng/m3. Grade 316L stainless steel construction with pharmaceutical grade surface finish and anti-vibration stainless steel frame for sensitive analytical balances.
• Bulk Powder Weighing Enclosures Specifically designed to provide a safe weighing and handling environment for large quantities of active drug compounds from drum containers. Constructed in stainless steel with unique airflow design for localized extract and low turbulence weighing environment.
• High Potency Powder Instrument Enclosure (HiPo IET) Stainless steel instrument enclosures designed to protect analysts from airborne contaminants produced during sample analysis and manipulation processes including titration, moisture analysis, weighing, and micro scale synthesis.
• Acrylic Instrument Enclosure Designed to protect analysts from airborne contaminants produced during sample analysis and manipulation processes including titration, moisture analysis, particle sizing, and automated dispensing.
• LEV Sliding Sash Enclosure Local Exhaust Ventilation enclosure using a unique CAV (Constant Air Volume) sliding sash mechanism for variable height access to equipment and processes. ECL design 0.1µg/m3, with lower airflow than standard fume hoods.
• High Potency LEV Sliding Sash Enclosure (HiPo LEVT) Designed for handling of high potency drugs, typically powder transfer or small scale synthesis. Features stainless steel construction with internally radiused edges and CAV sliding sash mechanism.
• Particle Sizer Enclosures Designed and built specifically around particle sizer systems, allowing easy access for setup and maintenance. ECL control below 1.0µg/m3, with proven designs for Malvern and Sympatec particle sizers.
• Multi Use LEV Enclosure Uses unique CAV sliding sash mechanism integrated with hinged door for easy equipment introduction and removal. Provides flexible containment for infrequent containment applications with direct connect or recirculatory options.
• Powder Handling Isolator Provides safe controlled environment for weighing and manipulation of high potency drugs with OELs less than 30 ng/m3. Stainless steel construction with hinged glass door, automatic pressure control, ECL designed to 5ng/m3, and interlocking transfer chamber.
• SafetyBox Powder Handling Glovebox Provides safe controlled environment for weighing and manipulation of high potency drugs with OELs less than 1 µg/m3. Single pass through negative pressure HEPA filtered glove box with radius internal edges for cleanability.
• ClimateZone Climatically Controlled Enclosure Provides climatically controlled environment for handling sensitive pharmaceutical drug compounds such as inhalation drugs and moisture sensitive drugs. Temperature range 17°C-35°C and humidity 17%RH-85%RH with selectable profiles. Closed loop HEPA filtered system.
• LungZone Inhalation Testing System Provides controlled temperature (37°C) and humidity (95% RH) environment for testing inhalation drugs, replicating climatic conditions within the lung during the respiratory cycle with programmable tidal respiratory rates. UK design and manufacture with patent registered.
• Bespoke Laboratory Safety Enclosures Custom-built containment systems designed to each customer specification, ranging from small portable devices to large scale laboratory safety enclosures including High Potency Environments, Instrument Enclosures, Weighing Enclosures, Controlled Environments, and Process Containment.
• Service and Validation Technical service and validation for laboratory containment systems in the UK and globally through channel partners, including preventive maintenance (semi-annual or annual rolling contracts), calibration, and certification.
• Design and Manufacturing Services Expert design and manufacturing services for laboratory containment systems, based on robust engineering practice delivering world-class containment solutions. In-house engineering design team and purpose-built manufacturing facilities.
• Safe Weighing Training Workshop Practical training workshop providing advice on minimising exposure to airborne and surface contaminants when handling active pharmaceutical drugs in the laboratory.

Quantifiable outcome

• ECL 15ng/m3 containment performance for ST1 enclosures
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• a1-safetechcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-development partner for potent powder weighing enclosures, also referred to as Vented Balance Safety Enclosure systems (VBSEs). CTS and a1-safetech products are specifically designed to provide safe environments for weighing and manipulation of potent pharmaceutical drug compounds.
• a1-envirosciencescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChannel partner for companies based in Germany, France, and Austria. Provides local sales and support for CTS containment products.
• Safecontech AGcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChannel partner for companies based in Switzerland. Provides local sales and support for CTS containment products.
• Envirosafe IrelandcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChannel partner for companies based in Ireland. Provides local sales and support for CTS containment products.
• Galaxy International CorpcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChannel partner for companies based in India. Provides local sales and support for CTS containment products.
• Labo-Pharm LimitedminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChannel partner for companies based in Malta. Provides local sales and support for CTS containment products.
• Evolve LtdminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChannel partner for companies based in Malta. Alternative contact for CTS containment products in the region.
• ABHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChannel partner for companies based in Brazil. Provides local sales and support for CTS containment products.
• Lab-BubblecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company offering low cost, re-circulatory fume hood system, fully performance tested and designed as an entry unit to the general laboratory market. Launched in 2012 following CTS Lab-Bubble success.
• gloveboxgloves.co.ukcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company specialists in the supply of glovebox gloves for laboratory applications. Supplies best solution for glovebox applications.
• KI-DISCUScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company offering world leading technology for testing microbiological safety cabinets through unique potassium iodide test. KI-Discus test group created as division in 2015.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Extract Technology: UK-based specialist in pharmaceutical containment, isolation, and process solutions. Direct competitor to CTS Europe's powder-handling enclosure and isolator portfolio, serving the same pharma QC and manufacturing customers.
• Hosokawa Micron: Global manufacturer of powder and particle processing equipment, including containment systems for high-potency pharmaceutical powders. Overlaps directly with CTS's powder weighing and handling enclosure offerings.
• Powder Systems Limited (PSL): UK-headquartered specialist in containment, isolation, and drying for pharmaceutical and chemical processing. Highly comparable to CTS in customer base (pharma) and product category (containment for powder handling).
• ILC Dover: Engineered solutions company providing single-use flexible containment, isolators, and pharmaceutical powder handling systems. Directly overlaps with CTS's isolator and powder containment product lines.
• Erlab: Manufacturer of filtered fume hoods (ductless) and laboratory air filtration solutions for chemical handling. Comparable to CTS's LEV and containment enclosures in serving analytical chemistry and pharma labs.
• Berner International: Specialist in laboratory fume hoods, biological safety cabinets, and clean air containment products. Direct product overlap with CTS's enclosures, gloveboxes, and air-handling containment solutions.
• Hamilton Laboratory Solutions: Provider of laboratory fume hoods, casework, and containment solutions for pharmaceutical, educational, and industrial labs. Comparable product set and customer profile to CTS Europe.
• Sentry Air Systems: Manufacturer of ductless fume hoods, laminar flow cabinets, and enclosure-based containment for laboratory and industrial applications. Comparable to CTS's localized containment and filtered enclosure offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Labconco: Established US manufacturer of laboratory equipment including fume hoods, biosafety cabinets, and glove boxes — broader catalogue but overlapping in lab containment, supplying pharma and research labs.
• Kewaunee Scientific: Established manufacturer of laboratory furniture, fume hoods, and technical infrastructure for research and pharma labs. Broader portfolio than CTS but with overlapping containment and lab-safety product categories.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCePaz2MR4eNsh2Gl-XgKGzA
• Facebookfacebook.com/ctseuropeltd
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/2354557
• Xx.com/CTSEuropeLtd

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 CTS Europe