What Capaniucus does

Capaniucus operates as GBneuhaus GmbH, a German specialty manufacturer of functional surface coatings based on sol-gel nano technology. Founded in 1991 in Neuhaus am Rennweg, Thuringia, as Technoglas Neuhaus GmbH and rebranded in 2015, the firm employs approximately 100 people under founder Dr. Hermann Knauer and Managing Director Michael Petry. Its technology applies thin-film sol-gel chemistry to glass, plastic, metal, and ceramic substrates, yielding an eight-line portfolio covering antimicrobial (SANPURE/agpure), hydrophobic, hydrophilic, antistatic, anti-reflective, heat-reflective, plastics-protective, and designer-color coatings.

The company sells predominantly B2B into regulated and specification-driven end markets: automotive OEMs and tier suppliers (coatings for interior and exterior components), medical technology (agpure antimicrobial surfaces), the food industry (food-safe §31 LFGB-compliant coatings), glass processors, and industrial/consumer electronics such as EV charging hardware (ABL) and electronic locks (BeCode Locks). Named customers span both SMB boutique engagements (e.g., a boutique hotel) and industrial serial production. Revenue is generated through project-based quotes and multi-year industrial supply contracts; pricing evidence indicates low-ticket project work in the hundreds of euros and higher-value per-unit pricing at scale for serial components.

GBneuhaus's competitive position rests on accumulated process know-how, an unusually broad certification stack (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO/TS 16949, ISO 13485, REACH, RoHS), and active participation in publicly funded R&D consortia (KOMPASS AI process optimization, EPOCH PFAS-free coatings, ADplas plasma coatings). It sources nanosilver raw material via a long-running partnership with ras materials GmbH. Geographic reach is centered in Germany with documented trade-fair activity into India, China, Japan, and the UAE, but no disclosed overseas production footprint.

Name

Capaniucus

Legal name

GBneuhaus GmbH

Website

https://gbneuhaus.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Capaniucus (GBneuhaus GmbH) is a German specialty manufacturer of sol-gel nano-coatings for glass, plastic, metal, and ceramic substrates, serving automotive, medical technology, food, glass processing, and electronics customers from its Thuringia headquarters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Nano Coatings

NAICS

Paint and Coating Manufacturing (32551), Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities (33281), Paint and Coating Manufacturing (325510)

SIC

Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851), Coating, Engraving & Allied Services (3470)

akta.pro primary industry

Application Equipment & Coating Services (Contract Coating, Surface Prep) (IMAEAGAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialty & Functional Coatings (Anti-microbial/Anti-slip/Insulating) (IMAIAKAM), Industrial & Commercial Painting/Coatings/Surface Treatment (IMAIAAAK), Industrial & Protective Coatings (IMAEAGAB)

Keywords

• Functional nano coatings
• Antimicrobial surface coatings
• Sol-gel coating services
• Contract coating manufacturing
• Industrial nano coatings

Headquarters

HQ city

Neuhaus Am Rennweg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Contract Manufacturing & Industrial Series Production: GBneuhaus provides contract manufacturing for functional nano-coatings on glass, plastics, metal and ceramic substrates. They apply coatings directly in-house using proprietary processes. They serve both small series/sampling and large-scale industrial production, integrating into customers' supply chains. Pricing is project-specific, with examples such as door handle coating at 600 EUR for 20 units plus 8.75 EUR per additional unit.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Capaniucus (GBneuhaus GmbH) is a service partner for functional surface coatings based on sol-gel nano technology. The company develops and applies individual surface coating solutions for metal, plastic, and glass substrates, providing contract manufacturing for both small series/sampling and large-scale industrial series production. Its offering spans eight branded nano-coating product lines (antimicrobial/antiviral, hydrophobic, hydrophilic, UV/anti-scratch, antistatic, anti-reflective, infrared-reflective, and colour pigment coatings) applied directly in-house at its Neuhaus am Rennweg facility.

Product overview

GBneuhaus GmbH is a service provider for functional surface coatings based on sol-gel nano technology. Founded in 1991 and based in Neuhaus am Rennweg, Germany, the company develops and applies individual surface coating solutions for metal, plastic, and glass. Their product portfolio consists of eight named nano-coating product lines: SANPURE® (antimicrobial/antiviral), GBhydrophobic (hydrophobic easy-to-clean), GBhydrophilic (hydrophilic anti-fog), GBprotect plastics (UV/anti-scratch), GBantistatic (antistatic), GBantireflex (anti-reflective), GBheat reflex (infrared-reflective), and Designed Colours (color pigments). The coatings are applied using a sol-gel process and provide functional improvements such as color enhancement, UV protection, scratch resistance, antistatic properties, infrared reflex, transmission enhancement, hydrophobic non-stick effects, hydrophilic anti-fog properties, and antimicrobial properties. GBneuhaus serves industries including automotive, building services, medical technology, chemical, and glass processing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SANPURE®: Antimicrobial and antiviral nano coating using nanosilver technology
• GBhydrophobic
• GBhydrophilic
• GBprotect plastics
• GBantistatic
• GBantireflex
• GBheat reflex

Products and services

• SANPURE antimicrobial and antiviral coating Antimicrobial and antiviral nano-coating using silver nanoparticles (nanosilver) that provides lifelong antibacterial protection against bacteria, germs, fungi, and viruses (99.9%+ effectiveness), certified food-safe, for industrial customers in medical technology, food processing, hospitality, and consumer electronics.
• GBhydrophobic coating Hydrophobic non-stick coating providing water-repellent easy-to-clean surface properties for glass, plastics, and metals, used by industrial customers across automotive, food processing, and building services.
• GBhydrophilic coating Hydrophilic anti-fog coating that prevents condensation fogging on glass and transparent surfaces by attracting water molecules evenly, used in optical and glass-processing applications.
• GBprotect plastics coating UV protection and scratch-resistant coating for plastic surfaces, preserving optical and haptic properties, used by automotive suppliers and electronics manufacturers such as EV charging station producers.
• GBantistatic coating Antistatic coating for plastic and glass surfaces that reduces static electricity buildup, used by industrial and electronics customers.
• GBantireflex coating Anti-reflective coating that enhances light transmission through glass and transparent surfaces, used by glass processors and optical-component manufacturers.
• GBheat reflex coating Infrared-reflective coating for glass surfaces that reflects infrared radiation to provide thermal insulation and heat management benefits, used by glass processors and specialty glass manufacturers.
• Designed Colours pigment coating Colour pigment coating solutions that enhance colour layer brilliance and enable precise coloring of glass and other surfaces for industrial customers requiring aesthetic surface finishing.
• Contract manufacturing and industrial series production of nano coatings Project-based contract manufacturing service for functional nano-coatings on glass, plastics, metal, and ceramic substrates, supporting both small series/sampling and large-scale industrial production, integrating customers into supply chains across automotive, medical technology, food industry, glass processing, and electronics.
• Door handle coating service (SANPURE) Recoating service for door handles using SANPURE antimicrobial coating, priced at 600 EUR for 20 pieces plus 8.75 EUR per additional handle and 3.00 EUR per replacement handle set, excluding VAT, for hospitality, office, and small commercial customers seeking hygienic surface treatment.

Quantifiable outcome

• SANPURE antimicrobial coating kills over 99.9% of bacteria, viruses, and fungi on surfaces (tested at University Hospital Regensburg and Eurovir laboratory)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature11 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• INNOVENT e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026GBneuhaus partnered with INNOVENT e.V. for the ADplas research project (Atmospheric Pressure Plasma-supported Functional Coatings for Adhesion Improvement of Paint Systems). The project aims to develop an industrial-scale primer-free painting process for plastic and glass surfaces using atmospheric pressure plasma, eliminating wet-chemical pretreatment. The project focuses on developing functional nano-scale plasma coatings, building a demonstrator for integration into industrial production lines, and optimizing paint formulations and process chains.
• KOMPASS Research ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026GBneuhaus is leading the KOMPASS project (KI zur Optimierung Modularer Prozesse der Automatisierten Sprühbeschichtung - AI for Optimization of Modular Processes for Automated Spray Coating). The project, funded under the FTI-Thüringen TECHNOLOGIE program, develops AI-based solutions to improve coating processes from data acquisition via sensors, database-based storage and processing of process parameters, to development of a learning, modular AI system and active process control.
• Institut für Bioprozess- und Analysenmesstechnik e.V. (iba)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025GBneuhaus partners with iba for the EPOCH project (Energy-efficient PFAS-free Surface Modification with Structurally-chemically Optimized Hydrophobicity). The project develops a PFAS-free hydrophobic sol-gel coating combined with laser-induced surface structuring, using energy-efficient UV curing instead of energy-intensive thermal processes. This addresses environmental concerns around 'forever chemicals' (PFAS).
• ras materials GmbH (Regensburg)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015GBneuhaus and ras materials GmbH signed a cooperation agreement to develop and market antimicrobial coatings. ras materials specializes in the production and distribution of high-quality nanoparticles, supplying the nanosilver (agpure) active ingredient used in the SANPURE antimicrobial coating. The companies combine ras materials' expertise in nanomaterial manufacturing and testing with GBneuhaus' Sol-Gel coating application capabilities.
• LEG Thüringen (Landesentwicklungsgesellschaft Thüringen)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerGBneuhaus participates in the LEG Thüringen community stands at international trade fairs including the IAA Frankfurt, China International Medical Equipment Fair, and others. LEG Thüringen promotes Thuringian companies internationally.
• Rennsteig Werkstätten gGmbHminorOthersGBneuhaus partners with Rennsteig Werkstätten gGmbH to provide external workplace positions (Außenarbeitsplätze) for people with disabilities since 2019. Two external workplace positions were established (2019 and 2022) as part of the company's inclusion and social responsibility program.
• Various technology and lighting companiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGBneuhaus cooperates with large companies in lighting technology for the construction of lamp tip coating equipment for halogen lamps. They also work with scientific clusters and partners for new technology development.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Aculon Inc. US-based nano-coating company offering hydrophobic, oleophobic, and anti-fingerprint surface treatments applied as contract services and licensed chemistries. Comparable in offering a portfolio of functional nano-coating products and serving electronics, medical, and industrial customers.
• Nanopool GmbH: German specialist in liquid nano-coatings for antimicrobial, hydrophobic, and surface-protective applications across glass, metal, and textiles. Directly comparable as a Mittelstand nano-coating service provider with overlapping product positioning and German Mittelstand distribution model.
• NTC Nano Tech Coatings GmbH: German nano-coating specialist focused on functional surface treatments including easy-to-clean, antimicrobial, and anti-corrosion coatings. Comparable in scale, customer vertical breadth, and sol-gel/chemistry-based coating approach to GBneuhaus's contract manufacturing model.
• Bio-Gate AG: German antimicrobial technology company using silver-based and other antimicrobial additives for surface coatings and wound care. Direct comparable in the antimicrobial surface-coating niche, particularly overlapping with SANPURE's nanosilver-based food-safe and medical applications.
• Nano-Care Deutschland AG: German provider of functional nano-coatings including antimicrobial, hydrophobic, and easy-to-clean surface treatments. Most direct comparable: similar sol-gel and nano-chemistry platform, overlapping customer verticals (medical, public infrastructure, hospitality), and competing directly with SANPURE and GBhydrophobic product lines.

Broad incumbents

• Schott AG: Global specialty glass and glass-coatings manufacturer with anti-reflective, IR-reflective, and functional coating capabilities built into its flat glass operations. Overlaps with GBneuhaus's GBantireflex, GBheat reflex, and glass-processing customers but at vastly greater scale and with vertical integration into the glass itself.

Emerging players

• Europlasma NV: Belgian plasma-coating technology company offering functional surface treatments including hydrophobic, oleophobic, and antimicrobial coatings. Overlaps with GBneuhaus's ADplas atmospheric-pressure plasma research direction and competes for similar electronic and industrial customers.
• C3Nano: US-based nano-coating firm specializing in transparent conductive films and functional coatings for electronics and display applications. Adjacent competitor in transparent functional coatings; less direct overlap on antimicrobial but comparable on anti-reflective and conductive thin-film coatings.
• Surfix B.V. Dutch nano-coating specialist offering hydrophilic, hydrophobic, and biomolecular functionalization of surfaces for diagnostics, microfluidics, and industrial applications. Overlaps with GBneuhaus's sol-gel expertise and the GBhydrophilic/GBhydrophobic product lines for specialty industrial customers.

Others

• ras materials GmbH: Regensburg-based manufacturer of high-quality nanoparticles (including the agpure nanosilver used in SANPURE) and an upstream technology partner of GBneuhaus since 2015. Listed here as an ecosystem participant rather than a competitor; relevant for understanding GBneuhaus's supply chain dependencies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Capaniucus