What ATEX Explosion Protection does

ATEX Explosionsschutz GmbH is a German manufacturer of industrial explosion protection systems founded in 1992 by Dr.-Ing. Franz Alfert and headquartered in Möhnesee, North Rhine-Westphalia. The company develops, produces, and sells integrated solutions across four functional categories: detection (electrostatic grounding, CO and spark detection, dew point measurement), suppression (powder-based AIS-P and category-unique hot water AIS-H systems), venting (EasyVent bursting discs, EasyQuench flameless venting, explosion doors), and isolation (FloatValve, quick-closing sliding valves, extinguishing barriers, diverters). These are orchestrated through the exCONTROL control platform with SIL2 certification. The core technology combines gas, IR/UV, and pressure sensors with control electronics and extinguishing agents to detect ignition precursors, suppress incipient explosions, vent overpressure, and isolate connected vessels from propagating flame fronts.

The company primarily serves industrial operators that process, store, or transport combustible dusts—most prominently spray drying facilities in milk powder and baby food production, as well as chemical, pharmaceutical, plastics, and general dust-handling plants. ATEX generates revenue through direct equipment sales, project-specific engineering and commissioning services, spare parts and 24/7 remote support, and standardized e-commerce channels for bursting discs across six regional shops (Europe, UK, USA, Brazil, Japan, New Zealand/Australia). Pricing is project-based and quote-driven. With 140+ employees globally and wholly-owned subsidiaries in 12 countries (Germany, Italy, France, UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Spain, Japan, Brazil) plus regional sales partners in Poland, the Netherlands, and Austria, ATEX combines centralized R&D and manufacturing at its German headquarters with local sales engineering and service. The company remains privately held with no disclosed parent or external investors, and ownership appears concentrated with the founder.

Name

ATEX Explosion Protection

Legal name

ATEX Explosionsschutz GmbH

Website

https://atex100.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

ATEX Explosionsschutz GmbH is a German manufacturer of industrial explosion protection systems—detection, suppression, venting, and isolation equipment—for process industries handling flammable dusts, primarily serving food and beverage, chemical, and pharmaceutical operators across 12 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Explosion Protection Equipment

NAICS

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

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Safety Instrumented Systems & Machine Safety Control (SIS, Safety PLCs, Relays) (IMAGABAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Special Hazard Fire Suppression Systems (Clean Agent/Foam/CO2/Kitchen Hood) (IMAIAJAE)

Keywords

• Industrial explosion protection
• Dust explosion suppression
• Explosion detection systems
• Flameless venting equipment
• Explosion isolation valves

Headquarters

HQ city

Möhnesee

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Explosion Protection Equipment Sales: ATEX manufactures and sells a comprehensive range of explosion protection products including detection systems (ACOM CO detection, spark detection, dew point measurement, electrostatic grounding), suppression systems (AIS-P powder, AIS-H hot water), venting equipment (EasyVent bursting discs, explosion vent panels, flameless venting doors), and isolation devices (FloatValves, quick-closing valves, extinguishing barriers). Products are sold directly through subsidiaries and regional partners globally.
2. Engineering, Installation & Commissioning Services: ATEX provides comprehensive engineering services including explosion protection concept development, risk assessment, plant installation, commissioning, and technical support. The company employs engineers who work with customers on project planning, design, and execution throughout the product lifecycle.
3. Spare Parts & Maintenance: ATEX offers spare parts and maintenance services, operating multiple replacement parts warehouses worldwide for rapid customer support. The company provides 24/7 availability and remote assistance services for ongoing customer support.
4. E-commerce (Online Shop Sales): Standard products such as EasyVent bursting discs are sold through six regional online shops covering Europe, UK, USA, Brazil, Japan, and New Zealand/Australia. Customers can directly select and order products online.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ATEX manufactures and sells industrial explosion protection systems, organized into four categories: detection (CO detection, spark detection, dew point monitoring, electrostatic grounding), suppression (powder-based AIS-P and hot water-based AIS-H), venting (EasyVent bursting discs, flameless venting, explosion doors), and isolation (FloatValve, quick-closing valves, extinguishing barriers). The company also provides engineering, installation, commissioning, and remote maintenance services for industrial customers processing or storing flammable dusts.

Product overview

ATEX Explosionsschutz GmbH offers a comprehensive portfolio of industrial explosion protection products and systems organized into four main categories: Detection (Erdungsüberwachung/EKX grounding systems, ACOM CO detection, spark detection with IR/UV sensors, dew point measurement), Explosion Suppression (AIS-P powder and AIS-H hot water suppressors, PXD pressure sensors, exCONTROL control units with modular design, nozzle systems), Venting (EasyVent bursting discs, EasyQuench AQ flameless venting, explosion doors), and Explosion Isolation (FloatValve explosion protection valves, quick sliding valves, extinguishing barriers, diverters). The exCONTROL system serves as the central control platform featuring real-time status display, remote access capability, and SIL2 certification, supporting multiple detection lines from 1 to 20 depending on enclosure type. Products are available through six regional online shops covering Europe, UK, USA, Brazil, Japan, and New Zealand/Australia. The company also provides engineering services including testing on a 5000+ m² test field with containers up to 140m³ volume.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• EKX Electrostatic Grounding Monitoring Grounding control devices (EKX-4, EKX-4 2-pole, EKX-FIBC) that safely discharge static electricity to earth and continuously monitor grounding connections at loading/unloading stations in hazardous areas zones 1, 2, 21, 22.
• ACOM CO Detection System Early fire detection system that analyzes process air for volatile pyrolysis components to detect earliest signs of thermal decomposition and smoulder nest formation. Can detect differences of 1 ppm and directly intervene in process control systems. CSA certified and US EPA-listed reference instrument.
• ATEX Spark Detection System Spark detection and extinguishing system using IR and UV sensors to identify flying sparks and moving smoulder spots by their radiation, activating water extinguishing nozzles, extinguishing barriers, and shut-off devices.
• Dew Point Measurement System Continuous dew point monitoring system that prevents the 'sticky point' in drying processes, helping improve product quality, reduce cleaning effort, and make production more energy efficient.
• AIS-P Powder Explosion Suppression System Powder-based explosion suppression using gas generators to activate suppression bottles; reusable leaf valve enables fast reopening after triggering without long plant shutdown.
• AIS-H Hot Water Explosion Suppression System Hot water-based explosion suppression system — ATEX is the only manufacturer worldwide offering this technology. Suppression bottles contain permanently heated water; products only contact water when triggered. Used in hygienic environments such as baby food manufacturing.
• exCONTROL Control Unit Latest-generation explosion protection control unit available in mini, MIDI, wall cabinet, and floor cabinet configurations supporting 1-20 detection lines. Features real-time status display, remote access, integrated software, and SIL2 certification confirmed by Eurofins.
• EasyVent Explosion Vent Panels / Bursting Discs Explosion vent panels and bursting discs that guarantee controlled discharge of explosion to outside while reducing pressure to a non-hazardous level. Available in vacuum-resistant, continuous load, and light variants. Sold via six regional online shops.
• EasyQuench AQ Flameless Venting Flameless venting device that controls explosions through a specially constructed filter mat, reducing pressure to a calculated level, cooling flame gases, and preventing dust particle escape. Approved for reduced explosion pressures up to 2 bar g and KST values up to 300 bar x m/s.
• FloatValve Explosion Protection Valve Explosion protection valve that prevents dust explosion propagation beyond installation point while acting as a flame barrier. Detects explosion through kinetic energy preceding the pressure wave and closes automatically. Available in DN 100-800 sizes.
• Quick Sliding Valve (Schnellschlussschieber) Quick-closing valve that is part of the active explosion isolation system, activated by solenoid valves in the event of ignition and closing within milliseconds via compressed air; no flow losses when fully open.
• Extinguishing Barrier (Löschmittelsperren) Active system for decoupling flame front; uses gas generators to activate extinguishing agent bottle forcing extinguishing powder into the pipeline. Features reusable leaf valve for fast restoration.
• Engineering, Installation & Commissioning Services Comprehensive engineering services including explosion protection concept development, risk assessment, plant installation, commissioning, and ongoing technical support. Engineers accompany every step of the product lifecycle.
• Spare Parts & Remote Maintenance Services Replacement parts supplied from multiple worldwide warehouses, with 24/7 availability and remote assistance services enabling real-time virtual troubleshooting without travel.

Quantifiable outcome

• CO detection sensitivity of 1 ppm difference
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature12 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• TU DortmundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerATEX supports TU Dortmund's international cooperation agreement with Kyoto University by hosting exchange students. Each year, two exchange students from Kyoto University's Department of Bio and Chemical Engineering work on ongoing product development at ATEX. The collaboration provides students with practical experience in a German working environment while ATEX benefits from their academic perspectives.
• Kyoto UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKyoto University participates in a three-way international cooperation agreement with TU Dortmund and ATEX, with exchange students sent annually to work on product development projects at ATEX in Germany.
• Sino-German Metal Eco City (MEC) / Zhongde Metal Group GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerATEX is a member of the Sino-German Metal Eco City (MEC) network, an innovative industrial park project developed by Zhongde Metal Group GmbH on the outskirts of Jieyang in Guangdong province, China. ATEX was contacted to lead and initiate projects for industrial and process safety in China starting from Guangdong province. The initiative is supported by the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).
• Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerATEX was offered membership in the MEC network by the Chinese MIIT, which drives the China SME Center initiative providing German SMEs access to Chinese industrial markets. ATEX provides consultation and initiates projects for industrial and process safety in China.
• European Safety Management Group (ESMG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerATEX is a founding member of the European Safety Management Group (ESMG), which works across Europe for the new and further development of safety-relevant products. ESMG provides a platform for collaboration on safety standards and product development across European markets.
• ASE (Automatic Systems Engineering Sp. z o.o.)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorASE is ATEX's sales partner for Poland, representing ATEX products and providing local customer support from Gdańsk.
• VDL Industrial Products bvminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVDL Industrial Products bv is ATEX's sales partner for the Netherlands, representing ATEX products from their location in Eersel.
• HENNLICH GmbH & Co KGminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHENNLICH GmbH & Co KG is ATEX's sales partner for Austria, representing ATEX products from their location in Suben.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Fike Corporation: US-based manufacturer of explosion protection systems (suppression, venting, isolation) and fire protection — directly competes with ATEX across the same core product categories and global industrial customer base.
• IEP Technologies (HOERBIGER): Provider of explosion protection solutions including suppression, isolation, and venting under the HOERBIGER group — a direct peer in industrial dust explosion protection for food, chemical, and pharma plants.
• Rembe GmbH: German explosion protection specialist offering rupture discs, flameless venting, and isolation systems — a close German-headquartered peer in the same core product categories.
• BS&B Safety Systems: Global leader in rupture disc (bursting disc) technology and explosion protection — competes head-on with ATEX's EasyVent bursting discs and vent panel portfolio, especially in process industries.
• Spectrex / SharpEye (MSA Safety): Manufacturer of flame, gas, and spark detectors — competes with ATEX's spark detection and CO detection systems in industrial fire/explosion early warning applications.
• Newson Gale: Specialist in electrostatic grounding and bonding monitoring (Earth-Rite range) — directly competes with ATEX's EKX electrostatic grounding product line for hazardous area loading/unloading operations.

Broad incumbents

• MSA Safety: Global safety equipment incumbent (gas detection, fixed gas/flame monitoring) that includes Spectrex — competes with ATEX detection products but at significantly larger scale and broader scope.
• Drägerwerk: Large German safety/medical technology firm with gas detection and process safety portfolios — broader incumbent with overlapping detection capabilities but a much wider, diversified business.
• Pilz: Industrial automation safety specialist (safety PLCs, sensors, controllers) — adjacent competitor to ATEX's exCONTROL safety control unit and broader SIS/safety instrumentation category.
• Siemens (Process Safety): Major industrial automation incumbent offering process safety systems, fire/gas detection, and safety instrumented systems — competes at the broader SIS/control system level with ATEX's exCONTROL platform.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/atex100
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/atex-explosionsschutz

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries10 records

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 ATEX Explosion Protection