CNPEM

What CNPEM does

CNPEM (Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais) is a private non-profit Brazilian research institution founded in 1985 and headquartered in Campinas, São Paulo. It is qualified as a Social Organization (Organização Social) under Brazilian Law 9.637/1998 and is supervised by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), with participation from the Ministry of Education (MEC) and Ministry of Health (MS). The institution operates four National Laboratories — LNLS (Synchrotron Light, home of the Sirius synchrotron), LNBio (Biosciences), LNBR (Biorenewables), and LNNano (Nanotechnology) — together with Ilum Escola de Ciência, a free MEC-authorized undergraduate program in Science and Technology. It also operates an Embrapii Unit, the PACE deeptech accelerator, and is constructing Orion, the first maximum biosafety (BSL-4/NB4) laboratory complex in Latin America.

The institution's core technical assets are scientific infrastructure rather than commercial software. Sirius is described as one of the world's most advanced synchrotron light sources, supporting ten beamlines spanning macromolecular crystallography (MANACÁ), nanoprobe and ptychography (CARNAÚBA, CATERETÊ), extreme-condition diffraction (EMA), infrared nanospectroscopy (IMBUIA), photoelectron spectroscopy (IPÊ), micro/nanotomography (MOGNO), powder diffraction (PAINEIRA), soft X-ray absorption (SABIÁ), and circular dichroism (CEDRO). Cross-cutting competencies include Cryo-EM, NMR, mass spectrometry, genome editing, viral vector production, biomolecule synthesis, multi-omics, bioprocess scale-up, and micro/nanofabrication. Orion extends this stack into high-containment pathogen research, uniquely combined with synchrotron access.

CNPEM's business model is a hybrid public-funder and open-access multi-user facility. Primary revenue comes from the Brazilian federal government via MCTI's Contract of Management and the Novo PAC program funding Sirius expansion and Orion construction. Academic researchers access facilities free of charge through the SAU Online proposal platform, with financial assistance for travel and accommodation. Commercial revenue is generated through R&D partnerships, technology transfer, and licensing via the Vitrine Tecnológica, the Embrapii Unit for industrial services, and the PACE deeptech acceleration program offering free infrastructure access to Brazilian startups. Customer segments span academic and research institutions (primary, free), companies in biotechnology, health, energy, and materials (paid services), students and trainees, and the general public through outreach initiatives.

Name

CNPEM

Legal name

Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais

Website

https://cnpem.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

CNPEM is a Brazilian non-profit research institution operating four National Laboratories — including the Sirius synchrotron and the Orion BSL-4 complex under construction — providing open-access scientific infrastructure to academic researchers and paid R&D services to industry, supervised by MCTI.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Scientific Research Infrastructure

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Medical Laboratories (8071), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Scientific & Laboratory Reference (Chemistry, Biology, Physics; Methods & Protocols) (EDAGAGAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Clinical Research & Trial Central Laboratories (HLAFAMAL)

Keywords

• Synchrotron light research
• National research laboratories
• Scientific infrastructure access
• Advanced materials characterization
• Deeptech acceleration programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Campinas

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: CNPEM operates as a Social Organization supervised by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), with intervenience of the Ministry of Education (MEC) and Ministry of Health (MS). Primary funding comes from the Brazilian federal government through the MCTI Contract of Management.
2. Technology Transfer and Licensing: CNPEM collaborates with the productive sector through R&D partnerships, technology transfer, and know-how licensing via the Vitrine Tecnológica (Technology Showcase) for technologies available for licensing in strategic areas.
3. R&D Services for Companies: Collaborative R&D&I projects and technological services for companies in areas including biotechnology, health, and renewable materials. Includes the PACE acceleration program for deeptech startups.
4. Embrapii Unit Services: CNPEM maintains an Embrapii Unit providing technological services and innovation support to industrial partners.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

CNPEM operates a multi-user, multidisciplinary scientific research infrastructure providing open access to four National Laboratories (LNLS synchrotron light, LNBio biosciences, LNBR biorenewables, LNNano nanotechnology) and the Sirius synchrotron light source. The institution offers free access for academic researchers through the SAU Online platform, R&D services and technology licensing for companies via the Vitrine Tecnológica, the PACE deeptech acceleration program for startups, and the Ilum Escola de Ciência undergraduate program.

Product overview

CNPEM (Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais) is a Brazilian research institution operating as a multi-user, multidisciplinary scientific center with four National Laboratories (LNLS, LNBio, LNBR, LNNano), the Sirius synchrotron light source, and the Orion maximum biosafety complex under construction. The institution provides open-access scientific facilities to researchers globally, including beamlines (MANACÁ, CARNAÚBA, CATERETÊ, EMA, IMBUIA, IPÊ, MOGNO, PAINEIRA, SABIÁ, CEDRO), specialized laboratories (mass spectrometry, NMR, Cryo-EM, bioassays, genome editing, biomolecule synthesis, viral vectors, multi-omics, micro/nanofabrication), and the Ilum School of Science undergraduate program. Additional offerings include the PACE deeptech acceleration program, SAU Online proposal submission platform, and the Embaixadores outreach program. CNPEM operates as a Social Organization supervised by MCTI, offering free access to its infrastructure for approved research proposals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sirius: Brazil's largest synchrotron light source, one of the most advanced in the world, used to study material structures at atomic scale
• Orion
• Ilum Escola de Ciência
• PACE
• SAU Online
• Programa Embaixadores
• ESPEM

Products and services

• Sirius Synchrotron Light Source Brazil's largest and most complex scientific infrastructure, one of the world's most advanced synchrotron light sources, used to study the structure of materials at the atomic scale. Available to external researchers through the CNPEM User Program.
• Orion Maximum Biosafety Laboratory Complex Maximum biosafety laboratory complex for advanced research into pathogens (viruses, bacteria, fungi) for the national and international scientific community, with BSL-4 (NB4) facilities being the first in Latin America and the first in the world connected to a particle accelerator (Sirius).
• Ilum Escola de Ciência (Ilum School of Science) Free undergraduate degree program in Science and Technology, a multidisciplinary and disruptive bachelor's course authorized by MEC with maximum INEP score (5). Available to students who enroll directly.
• Laboratório Nacional de Luz Síncrotron (LNLS) National laboratory operating the Sirius synchrotron light source and managing multiple beamlines for materials science and bioscience research. Provides open access to external researchers via the User Program.
• Laboratório Nacional de Biociências (LNBio) National laboratory focused on transforming scientific challenges into technologies for human health, with facilities for structural biology, bioimaging, and molecular biology. Provides open access to external researchers.
• Laboratório Nacional de Biorrenováveis (LNBR) National laboratory driving energy transition and bioeconomy through biotechnology, with pilot plant, metabolomics, DNA sequencing, and bioprocess capabilities. Provides open access to external researchers.
• Laboratório Nacional de Nanotecnologia (LNNano) National laboratory advancing nanoscience, technology, and innovation for sustainable development through microscopy, spectroscopy, nanofabrication, and nanotoxicology. Provides open access to external researchers.
• PACE – Programa de Aceleração de Deeptechs Deeptech acceleration program launched in 2023 offering free technical support and cutting-edge R&D infrastructure to Brazilian startups. Provides specialized technical support and infrastructure at no cost to qualifying deeptech startups.
• SAU Online (User Support Office Platform) Online platform for researchers to submit research proposals and access open facilities at CNPEM. Proposals are evaluated by specialized committees based on scientific merit and technical feasibility.
• Unidade Embrapii CNPEM Embrapii (Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa e Inovação Industrial) Unit at CNPEM providing technological services and innovation support to industrial partners in areas including biotechnology, health, and renewable materials.
• Programa Embaixadores CNPEM Ambassador program for increasing territorial reach of CNPEM's user program, particularly in North and Northeast Brazil regions, promoting CNPEM's open facilities and supporting researchers at Federal Universities.
• Vitrine Tecnológica (Technology Showcase) Technology showcase for technologies available for licensing in strategic areas. CNPEM collaborates with the productive sector through R&D partnerships, technology transfer, and know-how licensing via this platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• Free access to advanced scientific infrastructure for thousands of researchers annually
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and moderate.

• European Laboratory Research & Innovation Group (ELRIG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 October 2025ELRIG collaborates with CNPEM on advances in automated screening for drug discovery in Brazil. The partnership focuses on high-throughput screening technologies and bioassays, leveraging Brazil's biodiversity resources for pharmaceutical research. This international collaboration strengthens CNPEM's position in the global scientific community and enables knowledge exchange in frontier research areas.
• COPROPI (Colégio de pró-reitores de Pesquisa, Pós-graduação e Inovação das Instituições Federais de Ensino Superior)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCOPROPI supports the CNPEM Ambassador Program by coordinating implementation with Vice-Rectorates of Graduate Studies and Research at Federal Universities. COPROPI assists in ambassador selection, determining priority actions, and formulating topics for the Annual Ambassador Meeting. This partnership enables CNPEM to extend its reach to underrepresented regions of Brazil.
• Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI)coreOthersMCTI serves as the supervising ministry for CNPEM as a Social Organization. The ministry provides oversight through a formal Contract of Management and is the primary source of federal funding, including support for Sirius expansion and Orion construction through the Novo PAC program.
• Brazilian Ministry of Education (MEC)coreOthersMEC provides support for CNPEM's operation of Ilum Escola de Ciência, the free undergraduate program in Science and Technology. MEC intervenes in CNPEM's Social Organization status alongside MCTI.
• National System for Science, Technology and Innovation (SNCTI)coreOthersCNPEM collaborates with various partners within Brazil's National Science, Technology and Innovation System to address strategic challenges and emerging demands. This includes partnerships with universities, research institutions, companies, and government organizations both nationally and internationally.
• Brazilian National Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNPEM's Sirius synchrotron operates under radiation safety standards established by CNEN. The commission provides regulatory oversight for radiation exposure values, area classification, and safety responsibilities. CNPEM's controls are described as more rigorous than CNEN-recommended standards.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Argonne National Laboratory: US multi-disciplinary national laboratory hosting the Advanced Photon Source (APS-U) synchrotron and broad research programs in energy, biosciences, and nanoscience. Similar multi-lab national research organization structure to CNPEM.
• European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF): Multi-national synchrotron in Grenoble, France, running the ESRF-EBS ultra-low-emittance source. Comparable scale, scientific scope, and open-access user model to CNPEM's Sirius.
• Brookhaven National Laboratory: US Department of Energy national laboratory operating the National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II). Shares CNPEM's combination of advanced light source, accelerator R&D, and multi-disciplinary open user access.
• Diamond Light Source: UK's national synchrotron facility operating a third-generation light source with similar multi-disciplinary beamlines (including macromolecular crystallography analogous to MANACÁ). Directly comparable as a user facility serving academic and industry researchers globally.
• DESY (Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron): German national laboratory operating PETRA III and FLASH synchrotron/free-electron-laser light sources alongside photon science, particle physics, and accelerator R&D. Closely comparable multi-disciplinary national lab model with open user access.
• Canadian Light Source: Canada's national synchrotron facility operating a third-generation light source with biomedical, environmental, and materials beamlines. Comparable mid-scale national synchrotron user-facility model.
• SPring-8 / SPring-8 II (RIKEN/JASRI): Japan's flagship synchrotron radiation facility and its planned upgrade, providing comparable beamline-based services for materials, chemistry, and structural biology research globally.
• MAX IV Laboratory: Swedish national synchrotron facility operating a fourth-generation, ultra-low-emittance light source with similar open-access user operations and life-sciences beamlines to CNPEM's Sirius.
• SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory: US national accelerator laboratory operating synchrotron and free-electron-laser beamlines (SSRL, LCLS) for materials and life sciences. Comparable synchrotron-based scientific infrastructure and accelerator technology stack.

Emerging players

• EMBL (European Molecular Biology Laboratory): Intergovernmental research organization in molecular life sciences with structural biology, Cryo-EM, and synchrotron beamline access comparable to LNBio's biosciences stack. Focused more narrowly on life sciences, but with overlapping user communities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CNPEM
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CNPEM/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/CNPEM
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cnpem
• Instagraminstagram.com/cnpem

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about CNPEM