Phi-Stone
Phi-Stone AG is a Kiel, Germany-based specialty materials company that produces tetrapodal zinc oxide (t-ZnO) via a proprietary Flame Transport Synthesis process, supplying GMP-grade and technical-grade t-ZnO to pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and industrial manufacturers, and marketing the CE-marked Afinovir wound protection gel for herpes.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersKiel, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Phi-Stone does
Phi-Stone AG is a Kiel, Germany-based specialty materials company that develops, manufactures, and commercializes tetrapodal zinc oxide (t-ZnO) — a zinc oxide with a unique four-armed 3D microstructure produced via a proprietary Flame Transport Synthesis (FTS) process. The company sells t-ZnO in two grades: Microbivac, a GMP-compliant pharmaceutical-grade material usable as an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient, and a lower-cost Tech Grade t-ZnO for industrial applications such as fillers, functional additives, sensors, and optoelectronics. Phi-Stone also markets a finished consumer-facing medical product, Afinovir wound protection gel — the world's first CE-marked medical product with tetrapodal zinc oxide — and offers white-label product development services to manufacturers seeking customized hydrogel formulations.
The business model combines material sales (GMP and tech-grade t-ZnO), finished product sales (Afinovir), white-label product development fees, and collaborative research partnerships with universities and industry. Go-to-market is anchored by direct B2B enterprise sales led by a dedicated Head of Sales, supplemented by regional distribution partnerships — notably KES Pharma GmbH (cosmetics in Asian markets) and Liyfe Ltd (MENA region, distributing under the Skyn-V-Gel brand). The company is privately held, German-domiciled, founder/management-owned, and funded almost entirely through government grants (State of Schleswig-Holstein GRW and EU ERDF/BIF programs) rather than private venture capital.
Strategically, Phi-Stone is positioned as a vertically integrated materials platform pivoting from research-grade to industrial-scale GMP production following the January 2025 opening of its Flintbek facility, which has an annual capacity of up to three tonnes. Capital structure is modest (11-50 employees; no disclosed revenue or valuation), with growth underpinned by regulatory tailwinds such as the EU nano-silver ban in cosmetics, an international footprint that includes a wholly-owned Qingdao, China subsidiary, and a university research backbone via Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (including Prof. Dr. Rainer Adelung's Chair of Functional Nanomaterials).
Phi-Stone firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Phi-Stone
- Legal name
- Phi-Stone AG
- Website
- https://phi-stone.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Phi-Stone AG is a Kiel, Germany-based specialty materials company that produces tetrapodal zinc oxide (t-ZnO) via a proprietary Flame Transport Synthesis process, supplying GMP-grade and technical-grade t-ZnO to pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and industrial manufacturers, and marketing the CE-marked Afinovir wound protection gel for herpes.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Phi-Stone is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kiel
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
Phi-Stone business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Tetrapodal Zinc Oxide (t-ZnO) Material Sales: Sale of tetrapodal zinc oxide in pharmaceutical grade (Microbivac/GMP) and technical grade for various applications in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and industrial products.
- Afinovir Wound Protection Gel: Sale of proprietary finished product - wound protection gel for herpes treatment containing tetrapodal zinc oxide. CE-marked medical product launched in 2021.
- White Label / Private Label Solutions: Development and supply of customized hydrogel formulations based on tetrapodal zinc oxide for partners to market under their own brand. Revenue generated through product development fees and supply of active ingredient.
- Technology Licensing and Research Partnerships: Collaboration with research institutions and companies on publicly funded research projects. Revenue from technology transfer and co-development projects.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | GMP t-ZnO (Microbivac) for pharmaceutical/medical applications |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Tech Grade t-ZnO for technical/industrial applications |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom formulation and white label development |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Phi-Stone product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Phi-Stone AG manufactures and sells tetrapodal zinc oxide (t-ZnO), a specialty zinc oxide with a unique four-armed microstructure, in two grades: pharmaceutical-grade Phi-Stone Microbivac (GMP-compliant, for medical and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient applications) and Tech Grade t-ZnO (for technical/industrial uses). The company also markets its own finished medical product, Afinovir wound protection gel for herpes treatment, and provides white-label/custom hydrogel formulation development services to manufacturers seeking products based on t-ZnO.
Product overview
Phi-Stone AG offers a portfolio of products centered on tetrapodal zinc oxide (t-ZnO), a specialized material with unique four-armed microstructure. The core offering includes Microbivac (GMP-grade t-ZnO for pharmaceutical/medical applications) and Tech Grade t-ZnO (for technical/industrial uses). The company applies this material in its consumer-facing medical product Afinovir, a wound protection gel for herpes treatment. Additionally, Phi-Stone offers private label/product development services where partners can create customized products using tetrapodal zinc oxide.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Microbivac®: GMP-grade tetrapodal zinc oxide (t-ZnO) developed for medical and pharmaceutical applications. Meets highest quality requirements for medical use.
- Tech Grade t-ZnO
- Afinovir®
Products and services
- Tetrapodal Zinc Oxide (t-ZnO) Tetrapodal zinc oxide with a unique four-armed microstructure providing mechanical stability and high porosity, sold in technical grade and pharmaceutical/medical grades for use in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and industrial applications.
- Phi-Stone Microbivac GMP-grade tetrapodal zinc oxide developed to the highest quality standards for medical and pharmaceutical applications, suitable as an Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) in wound protection gels, creams, powders, and ointments.
- Tech Grade t-ZnO Cost-effective technical-grade tetrapodal zinc oxide for industrial applications, used as a filler or functional additive in composite materials, sensor technology, optoelectronic devices, and other industrial products.
- Afinovir Wound Protection Gel CE-marked proprietary wound protection gel containing tetrapodal zinc oxide (Microbivac) that forms a protective barrier against herpes viruses while accelerating healing of herpes blisters via the physical viral binding mechanism; targeted at consumers seeking treatment for cold sores / herpes outbreaks.
- Private Label / Product Development Services White-label product development service enabling manufacturers to develop customized hydrogel formulations based on tetrapodal zinc oxide for marketing under their own brand, with product development fees and supply of the active ingredient.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 3 tonnes annual production capacity
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Phi-Stone
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Phi-Stone technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Phi-Stone partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (CAU)coreLong-standing research cooperation with Kiel University for development of tetrapodal zinc oxide technology. Prof. Dr. Rainer Adelung (Chair of Functional Nanomaterials) leads fundamental research that was successfully transferred to industrial production. Partnership secured through continuous research investment and technology transfer activities.
- Liyfe LtdcoreDistribution agreement for MENA region where Liyfe distributes products under their Skyn-V-Gel brand. Product launched at Arab Health 2024. Liyfe adapted design, packaging, leaflet, and promotional material for regional regulatory requirements and multicultural markets.
- Clean Ocean Coatings GmbHminorSpin-off company from Phi-Stone AG's maritime coatings research. Phi-Stone contributed biocide-free coating technology developed in cooperation with Kiel University. Clean Ocean Coatings continues development and commercialization of ecoating products for ships and yachts.
- KES Pharma GmbHcoreCooperation to develop and market several cosmetic products with tetrapodal zinc oxide. KES Pharma developed innovative acne serum showing promising properties. Joint development of products for marketing in Asian region. CEO Kan Fu praised cooperation as excellent.
- University Hospital Schleswig-HolsteinminorR&D partnership with Prof. Dr. Ulrich Mrowietz for research cooperation. University provides clinical research expertise and academic validation for dermatological applications of tetrapodal zinc oxide.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Phi-Stone competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Bio-Gate AG: German listed company commercializing antimicrobial and antiviral material technologies (silver- and zinc-based) for medical, cosmetic and industrial applications. Directly comparable to Phi-Stone in positioning as a small-cap German specialist offering novel antimicrobial material platforms, including as an alternative to banned nano-silver.
Broad incumbents
- Symrise: German-headquartered global supplier of fragrance, flavor and cosmetic active ingredients, including dermatological and skincare actives. Comparable to Phi-Stone because it sells novel functional ingredients to the same cosmetics and dermatology customers, though Symrise is far larger and diversified.
- Croda International: Global specialty ingredients supplier to the personal care, pharmaceutical and consumer health markets. Comparable to Phi-Stone as a buyer-facing supplier of innovative cosmetic and dermatological actives, but with a vastly broader ingredient portfolio and global commercial infrastructure.
- Evonik: German specialty chemicals company with a significant personal care and pharmaceutical ingredients business (e.g., silica, specialty oxides). Comparable to Phi-Stone as a supplier of high-purity functional ingredients into cosmetics and pharma, with established regulatory affairs capabilities.
- BASF: World's largest chemical company with a broad portfolio including zinc oxide, cosmetic ingredients and pharmaceutical excipients. Relevant as an incumbent that could choose to enter the specialty t-ZnO space and as a benchmark for what scale customers expect from a ZnO supplier.
Direct peers
- EverZinc: European specialist in zinc oxide and zinc powders serving cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, rubber, ceramics and electronics. Comparable to Phi-Stone as a direct competitor in the specialty zinc oxide segment, although EverZinc produces conventional ZnO rather than tetrapodal morphology and operates at much larger tonnage.
- Zochem: North American producer of zinc oxide serving rubber, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, chemical and electronic applications. Comparable to Phi-Stone in product overlap (pharma- and cosmetic-grade ZnO) and in serving B2B customers with technical specifications, though at significantly higher production scale.
- Silox S.A. Belgian manufacturer of zinc oxide and zinc-based specialty chemicals for pharmaceutical, cosmetic and industrial use. Direct peer to Phi-Stone as another European specialty ZnO supplier targeting pharma and personal care customers, but without the tetrapodal morphology differentiation.
- US Zinc: Major global zinc oxide producer with multiple manufacturing sites and a broad product range including pharmaceutical and cosmetic grades. Relevant peer to Phi-Stone because it competes for the same specialty ZnO customers and sets the baseline for cost and supply reliability in the market.
- Grillo-Werke AG: One of Europe's largest zinc oxide and zinc chemicals producers, headquartered in Germany. Directly comparable to Phi-Stone because it supplies both technical-grade and pharmaceutical-grade zinc oxides to the same end markets (cosmetics, pharma, industrial additives), but at vastly greater scale and with a broader product portfolio.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Phi-Stone social profiles
Digital presencePhi-Stone compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Phi-Stone financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Phi-Stone leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Phi-Stone subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Phi-Stone funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Phi-Stone M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Phi-Stone
What does Phi-Stone do?
Phi-Stone AG manufactures and sells tetrapodal zinc oxide (t-ZnO), a specialty zinc oxide with a unique four-armed microstructure, in two grades: pharmaceutical-grade Phi-Stone Microbivac (GMP-compliant, for medical and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient applications) and Tech Grade t-ZnO (for technical/industrial uses). The company also markets its own finished medical product, Afinovir wound protection gel for herpes treatment, and provides white-label/custom hydrogel formulation development services to manufacturers seeking products based on t-ZnO.
Is Phi-Stone a public or private company?
Phi-Stone is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Phi-Stone founded?
Phi-Stone was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Phi-Stone based?
Phi-Stone is headquartered in Kiel, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Phi-Stone make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Tetrapodal Zinc Oxide (t-ZnO) Material Sales are the primary driver. The others are afinovir Wound Protection Gel, white Label / Private Label Solutions and technology Licensing and Research Partnerships.
Who are Phi-Stone's main competitors?
Bio-Gate AG is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Symrise, Croda International, Evonik and BASF. Direct peers are EverZinc, Zochem, Silox S.A., US Zinc and Grillo-Werke AG.
Does Phi-Stone have an API?
No public API is recorded for Phi-Stone.