SMETS Technology

What SMETS Technology does

SMETS Technology GmbH is a privately held German engineering company founded in 2009 and headquartered in Hoppegarten near Berlin. The company designs, engineers, and manufactures custom-configured ultra-high-pressure (UHP) water jetting trucks for three primary applications: airport runway rubber removal, road marking removal, and pavement surface retexturing. Its product portfolio centers on the ARC (Airport Runway Cleaner) series spanning working widths from 800mm (a sweeper-compatible trailer) up to 4,000mm (ARC 3400-4000), supplemented by the MRT 360 demarking truck, the CSR Friction Tester for ICAO-compliant runway grip measurement, and the ELAtextur rotating-laser pavement macrotexture device. Modular add-ons include the FC 12 filter container and integration with the Reprotex MFD-A25 for closed-loop water recycling.

The core technology is chemical-free water-only hydroblasting at pressures up to 3,000 bar, differentiated by an exclusive 0.45 micron filtration system integrated across all units, hardened steel nozzles rated at 50-100 working hours (versus sapphire alternatives), rotating nozzle heads exceeding 400 km/h, and a 12-inch touchscreen for fully automated operation. SMETS holds ISO 9001:2015 quality certification (audited by SGS/TÜV Saar) and a BSFZ Research Seal from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs recognizing qualifying R&D activity. With 11-50 employees, the company serves airports, road authorities, and specialized maintenance contractors across more than 20 countries spanning Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, South America, and Oceania.

Revenue is generated through three streams: one-time sales of bespoke UHP trucks (each individually engineered with options for axle count, working width, tank capacity, pump performance, engine configuration, and EURO emission standard), direct contracting services for runway rubber removal and marking removal, and aftermarket spare parts and 24/7 service support. Go-to-market is exclusively direct enterprise sales, supplemented by content marketing, trade events, roundtables (notably with SWARCO and L&R Roadlines), and an interactive online truck configuration form. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Anchor customers include Dubai Airports (operating the world's largest custom ARC 3000 SZ since 2021), Berlin Brandenburg (BER), Oman Airports, Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Ethiopian Airlines, and Bangkok Suvarnabhumi. The company has no disclosed external funding, operates without a parent company, and reports no M&A activity.

Name

SMETS Technology

Legal name

Smets Technology GmbH

Website

https://smets-technology.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

SMETS Technology GmbH is a privately held German manufacturer founded in 2009 that designs custom-configured ultra-high-pressure water jetting trucks for airport runway rubber removal, road marking removal, and pavement retexturing, serving airports, road authorities, and contractors across more than 20 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Airport Runway Maintenance Equipment

NAICS

Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing (3333)

SIC

Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559)

akta.pro primary industry

Pressure Washing & Jetting Equipment (IMAHALAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Municipal & Public Works Specialty Vehicles (Street Sweepers, Sewer Jetters) (IMAHAIAI)

Keywords

• Ultra-high-pressure water jetting
• Runway rubber removal
• Road marking removal
• Pavement retexturing equipment
• Airport runway maintenance

Headquarters

HQ city

Hoppegarten

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom UHP Water Jetting Truck Sales: SMETS designs, engineers, and manufactures bespoke ultra-high-pressure water jetting trucks (ARC, MRT series) and surface measurement devices (CSR, ELAtextur) sold as custom vehicles to airports, road authorities, and contractors worldwide. Each truck is individually configured to match customer operational requirements.
2. Contracting / Service Provision: SMETS provides runway rubber removal and marking removal contracting services directly to airport operators and infrastructure owners alongside equipment sales.
3. Spare Parts and After-Sales Support: Aftermarket sales of spare parts (nozzles, filters, consumables) and ongoing service/maintenance support, including 24/7 after-sales service globally through local partners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SMETS Technology designs, engineers, and manufactures custom-configured ultra-high-pressure (UHP) water jetting trucks and equipment for airport runway rubber removal, road marking removal, and pavement surface retexturing. The company produces the ARC series runway cleaning trucks (ARC 0800 through ARC 3400), the MRT 360 demarking truck, the CSR Friction Tester, and the ELAtextur pavement macrotexture measurement device, alongside contracting services and spare parts/after-sales support globally.

Product overview

SMETS Technology develops specialized vehicles and equipment for professional runway and roadway maintenance using ultra-high-pressure water jetting technology. The product portfolio centers on the ARC (Airport Runway Cleaner) series trailers and trucks for rubber removal, road marking removal, and surface retexturing. Key products include the ARC 0800 (trailer for sweepers), ARC 1000/1600/2400/3200/3400 (runway rubber removal and road marking removal trucks with increasing working widths from 1,000mm to 4,000mm), MRT 360 (demarking truck), CSR Friction Tester (runway grip measurement), and ELAtextur (pavement macrotexture measurement). The systems are built for airports, infrastructure operators and road maintenance teams, featuring chemical-free cleaning, ultra-high-pressure water technology, and optional water recycling integrations. Custom UHP water jetting trucks are individually configured to match operational requirements.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ARC (Airport Runway Cleaner): Product line for runway rubber removal and surface cleaning systems including ARC 0800, ARC 1000, ARC 1600, ARC 2400, ARC 3200, and ARC 3400 models
• MRT (Mobile Rubber Truck)
• CSR (Continuous Friction Measuring Equipment)
• ELAtextur

Products and services

• ARC 0800 Compact airport runway cleaning trailer designed for professional rubber removal, runway marking removal and surface preparation. Compatible with sweepers such as AEBI Schmidt and FAUN.
• ARC 1000 High-performance airport runway cleaning truck engineered for professional runway rubber removal, marking removal and surface preparation, with working width up to 1,000 mm and pressures up to 3,000 bar.
• ARC 1600 High-capacity runway rubber removal truck with 1,600 mm working width and dual cleaning head configuration, achieving up to 2,000 m² per hour. Features 12-inch touchscreen interface and advanced stainless-steel booster line filtration system.
• ARC 2400 Ultra-high-capacity hydroblasting system for runway maintenance, road marking removal and pavement retexturing, featuring 2,400 mm working width with rear jetting device and optional side jetting devices.
• ARC 3200 Ultimate high-capacity hydroblasting system with 3,200 mm working width for airport runway maintenance, road marking removal and pavement retexturing.
• ARC 3400 Compact surface treatment system for roughening (retexturing) of surfaces, rubber and paint marking removal on roads and airports with working width of 3,400 mm (adjustable up to 4,000 mm).
• MRT 360 F-4 Compact ultra-high-pressure hydroblasting truck designed for professional surface preparation, road marking removal and industrial cleaning applications, featuring 360mm demarking width with optional grinding unit and cleaning unit attachments.
• CSR Friction Tester Custom-made friction testing vehicle for runways and touchdown zones, equipped with water tank for continuous friction measurement under 1 mm water film, measuring at speeds from 20 to 120 km/h with GPS localization capability.
• ELAtextur Pavement macrotexture measurement device using rotating laser sensor to determine MPD (Mean Profile Depth) and ETD values in accordance with EN ISO 13473-1:2004, weighing 9 kg with integrated GPS receiver option.
• Runway Rubber Removal Contracting Services Contracting services for runway rubber removal and marking removal, provided directly to airport operators and infrastructure owners alongside equipment sales.

Quantifiable outcome

• Lowest water consumption per processed m² worldwide
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers18 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

Integration1 record

Feature9 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• KärcherminorOthersKärcher logo appears in the partners section of SMETS Technology's website. Nature of partnership is not explicitly described.
• SwarcocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSWARCO is a strategic partner in road marking systems. SMETS participated in a roundtable discussion with SWARCO Road Marking Systems and L&R Roadlines on pavement marking performance, adhesion, reflectivity, and lifecycle optimization. Partnership focuses on demonstrating how UHP surface preparation enables SWARCO marking materials to perform to specification.
• ReprotexcoreTechnology or IntegrationReprotex collaborated with SMETS to improve water treatment and environmental protection. SMETS ARC 1000/1500 combined with REPROTEX Mobile Filtration Device MFD-A25 enables 100% water recycling, significant cost savings, and high environmental standards. Also collaborated on the FC 12 filter container for wastewater filtration.
• EconetixcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEconetix partners with SMETS to deliver fully carbon-neutral trucks. Econetix calculates the entire 10-year carbon footprint upfront and offsets all emissions through certified carbon credits, allowing SMETS to deliver CO₂-neutral trucks from day one for airports and infrastructure operators.
• Aebi SchmidtcoreTechnology or IntegrationSMETS ARC 0800 trailer system is compatible with Aebi Schmidt sweepers, allowing smaller airports to combine sweepers with runway rubber removal capability. ARC 0800 can be procured together with Aebi Schmidt sweepers.
• FAUN Kirchhoff GruppecoreTechnology or IntegrationSMETS ARC 0800 trailer is compatible with FAUN sweepers. Partnership enables integration of SMETS rubber removal technology with FAUN sweeper vehicles.
• L&R RoadlinescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerL&R Roadlines, UK contractor, operates its own SMETS ARC 1000 UHP truck for pavement marking removal and surface preparation. Partner in roundtable discussion on road marking performance alongside SWARCO. Uses ARC 1000 for efficient line striping removal with minimal disruption.
• Otto Alte-Teigeler GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOAT (Otto Alte-Teigeler) is listed as a partner, potentially serving as a local distribution or service partner in Germany/Austria.
• Green Tech SolutionsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGreen Tech Solutions, associated with OAT, is listed as a partner for green technology services.
• Dubai AirportsmajorTechnology or IntegrationDubai Airports operates the world's largest SMETS rubber removal machine (ARC 3000 SZ with 3,000mm working width, 37m³ tank). Operational since early 2021, working daily to full customer satisfaction.
• Berlin Brandenburg AirportmajorTechnology or IntegrationBerlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) is listed as a partner/customer, operating SMETS runway maintenance equipment.
• SaferoadminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as a European partner in the road safety/infrastructure sector.
• WilfatecminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as a European partner in the road safety infrastructure sector.
• Power Force TechnologiesminorOthersListed as a partner.
• Novatech (Thailand)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as an Asian partner, having cooperated with Novatech in Thailand.
• Orezane / ACG Air (Czech Republic)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as a partner for Central Europe.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Hamm AG: Wirtgen Group brand producing road rollers and compactors; relevant comparable for the road surface preparation and retexturing segment where SMETS ARC 3400 competes.
• Water Jet Sweden: European-based UHP water jetting equipment maker focused on industrial cleaning and surface preparation; overlapping technology stack and customer base with SMETS.

Direct peers

• Aebi Schmidt Group: Swiss manufacturer of airport sweepers and municipal winter/summer maintenance vehicles. Aebi Schmidt is both a SMETS integration partner (ARC 0800 trailer) and a direct peer in the airport ground-maintenance equipment market.
• NLB Corporation: US-based manufacturer of ultra-high-pressure water jetting equipment (up to 40,000 psi) for industrial cleaning, surface preparation, and hydrodemolition — a direct product-line competitor to SMETS's ARC series.
• Jetstream Systems: US manufacturer of high-pressure water blasting equipment for industrial cleaning, paint/coating removal, and surface preparation — comparable technology platform to SMETS's UHP jetting systems.
• Aquajet Systems: Swedish maker of hydrodemolition and UHP water jetting robots and equipment used in concrete removal and surface preparation; competes with SMETS in industrial/road surface preparation applications.
• Wirtgen Group (Hamm / Vögele / Wirtgen): John Deere-owned road construction equipment group whose Hamm rollers and Wirtgen cold milling/retexturing machines compete with SMETS's ARC 3400 in road surface retexturing and marking removal applications.
• FAUN Group (Kirchhoff): German municipal and airport vehicle maker (sweepers, refuse trucks). FAUN is both a SMETS integration partner (ARC 0800 trailer on FAUN sweepers) and a peer in the airport ground-maintenance equipment space.

Broad incumbents

• Graco Inc. US-listed industrial fluid handling company with high-pressure pumping and surface preparation equipment; comparable in pump/pressure technology even if not directly focused on airport runway cleaning.
• Kärcher: Global industrial and commercial cleaning equipment leader with high-pressure water jetting systems. Kärcher is already listed as a partner on SMETS's website and represents the most credible large-scale competitor or acquirer in the UHP cleaning category.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@smetstechnologygmbh8305
• Facebookfacebook.com/SMETS.TECHNOLOGY.GERMANY
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smets-technology-gmbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/smets.technology.gmbh

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 SMETS Technology