Nucomat

What Nucomat does

Nucomat is a privately held Belgian engineering company (Nucomat bv, Lokeren) that designs and builds laboratory automation systems for sample preparation, handling, and testing in quality control laboratories. Founded around 1990 from an engineering background in nuclear radiation monitoring, the company has operated for approximately 35 years and today serves enterprise customers in five verticals: mining/recycling/minerals (its primary segment), environmental water testing, biotech/biopharma/life sciences, petro- and oleochemicals, and consumer and health products. The portfolio spans compact off-the-shelf units (e.g., WetChem, Compact Sample Preparation Unit, Compact Powder Dosing Unit, Vial Filler, Used Oil Sample Splitter, Water Aliquoting System, Copper Concentrate Analysis Platform) and full bespoke turnkey automation projects, with throughputs ranging from 40 samples/hour to 1,500 samples/day depending on configuration.

The company's technical core is a modular robotic platform controlled by ROBIN, a proprietary real-time event-driven scheduling software that prioritizes and routes tasks across multiple instruments in parallel and provides barcode/RFID tracking, audit trails, GxP support, and LIMS integration. Notable proprietary hardware elements include video imaging titrators, patented leach caps for reflux digestion, gravimetric acid and powder dispensers with sub-milligram precision, and — in partnership with MBraun — a sealed P3-biosafety automated pathogen screening platform (Caps-It / MiniCaps) co-developed with KU Leuven's Rega Institute.

Nucomat earns revenue primarily through hardware sales of standardized systems and large integrated turnkey automation projects delivered via an eight-step engagement (concept, engineering, assembly, on-site implementation, training, validation, after-sales service). The company sells directly through enterprise field sales and indirectly via a curated network of country-specific agents and distributors (UK, Peru, Australia, South Korea, Central Asia), supplemented by content marketing through white papers, peer-reviewed publications, and trade press in Mining-Technology. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; ROBIN software is offered without a license fee, suggesting monetization is tied to system integration, validation, and service rather than standalone software licensing. Named end customers and partners include GeoAssay (Chile), Codelco, BHP, AngloAmerican, BASF, and AQUON.

Name

Nucomat

Legal name

Nucomat bv

Website

https://nucomat.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Nucomat is a Belgian lab automation company providing modular robotic systems and proprietary real-time scheduling software (ROBIN) for sample preparation, handling, and testing across mining, environmental, biotech, petrochemical, and consumer product quality control laboratories worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Laboratory Automation Equipment

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559)

akta.pro primary industry

Liquid Handling & Laboratory Automation (Pipettes, Robots, Workstations) (HLAGAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Lab Automation, Instrument Control & Workflow Orchestration Software (HLAGAJAG), Laboratory Automation, Sample Prep & Liquid Handling (IVD Lab Diagnostics) (HLAHAAAN), Lab Middleware, Instrument Connectivity & Automation (HLACAMAI), Filling & Dosing Machines (Liquid/Powder/Solid) (IMAHAOAF)

Keywords

• Lab automation systems
• Sample preparation robots
• Wet chemistry automation
• Laboratory robotics
• Turnkey automation projects

Headquarters

HQ city

Lokeren

HQ country

Belgium

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, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Lab Automation Systems (Products): Sale of compact off-the-shelf automated lab systems (e.g., WetChem, Vial Filler, Powder Dosing, Compact Dispenser, CSPU, SilverPrill, Copper Concentrate Analysis, Used Oil Sample Splitter, Water Aliquoting Robot). Systems range from standalone units to integrated multi-module platforms.
2. Turnkey Automation Projects: Bespoke integrated automation projects delivered from design concept through engineering, assembly, on-site implementation, training, validation, and acceptance. Covers full lifecycle including custom development for specific client applications.
3. ROBIN Software License and Support: ROBIN real-time event-driven scheduler software. The company notes no license fee for ROBIN, suggesting revenue may come from integration, training, or support services related to the software.
4. After-Sales Service and Maintenance: Service after sales including maintenance, troubleshooting, and validation support as part of the standard 8-step project delivery process.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Nucomat designs, manufactures, and integrates modular robotic lab automation systems for sample preparation, handling, and testing in quality control and screening laboratories. The portfolio spans compact off-the-shelf products (WetChem, Vial Fillers, CSPU, Powder Dosing Unit, Compact Dispenser, Water Aliquoting, Copper Concentrate Platform, Caps-It/MiniCaps) up to fully bespoke turnkey automation projects, all orchestrated by the proprietary ROBIN real-time event-driven scheduling software with barcode/RFID tracking, audit trails, and LIMS integration.

Product overview

Nucomat provides lab automation solutions for sample preparation, handling, and testing for quality control laboratories and screening facilities. The company offers a portfolio ranging from compact off-the-shelf products (Compact Dispenser, Compact Sample Preparation Unit, Compact Powder Dosing Unit, Vial Filler, WetChem) to complete turnkey automation projects. The ROBIN real-time event-driven scheduler software platform provides centralized control and scheduling across all automated systems, enabling priority scheduling, barcode/RFID tracking, LIMS integration, and audit trail capabilities. Products serve industries including mining/recycling/minerals, consumer/health products, biotech/biopharma/life sciences, petro-oleochemicals, and environmental water testing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ROBIN: Proprietary real-time event-driven scheduling software developed by Nucomat for process control and laboratory automation management.

Products and services

• WetChem Automated wet chemistry sample preparation system for mining applications that performs acid dissolution of ground samples with throughput up to 460 samples per day, improved operator safety, and continuous 24/7 operation. Targeted at mining and minerals QC laboratories.
• Used Oil Sample Splitter Automated system for splitting used-oil samples into 7 daughter vials (viscosity tubes, IR tube, ICP tube, Karl Fischer vial, TBN/TAN recipient, flash point recipient) at up to 40 samples/hour. For petrochemical and oleochemical QC laboratories.
• Vial Filler (Sterile Micro Volume) Automated high precision filling of vial batches in sterile conditions for volumes between 100 µl and 2 ml with gravimetric control, HEPA filtered laminar flow, and dual labelling on vial and cap. For consumer products and life sciences production lines.
• VEVU Vial Filler Next-generation test-vial reagent filler that uses in-line image analysis to sort vials from a bulk feeder, fills and caps thousands of reagent vials per working day. Developed in collaboration with Hupico for the image-analysis subsystem.
• Compact Sample Preparation Unit (CSPU) Modular unit for multiple acid dispensing and sample digestion with pneumatically operated refill pumps for continuous operation from a remote bulk container. Includes infrared hotplate for digestion, gravimetric control, and corrosion-resistant PVC fume hood. For mining and minerals QC labs.
• Compact Powder Dosing Unit Compact standardized unit for accurate gravimetric powder dosing with 4 parallel dispensers, mg or sub-mg accuracy, CV well below 1% in the 500-1000 mg range, dispensing range 100 mg to 100 g, capacity up to 80 samples/hour. For mining and analytical labs.
• Compact Dispenser Gravimetric controlled acid dispensing to sample racks with autonomous operation; base unit with integrated balance providing ±20 mg accuracy in batch mode for up to 40 tubes. For mining, analytical, and QC laboratories.
• Water Aliquoting System Advanced water aliquoting robot for environmental water testing that prepares incoming field samples for multiple analysis systems (TN, TP, TKN, DOC/TOC, COD) with capacity up to 300 source recipients per 24-hour period generating ~900 aliquots daily.
• Water Dilution System Automated platform to dilute industrial water samples and measure pH and conductivity for quality control. Compact system that integrates with ICP or AAS autosamplers. For industrial water QC laboratories.
• Caps-It & MiniCaps Pathogen Screening Platform High throughput automated systems for cell culture based pathogen assays and screening in P2 or P3 biosafety conditions, including automated microplate cell incubators, liquid handlers, multimode plate readers, high content imagers, and overhead Cartesian robotics. Co-engineered with MBraun; validated with KU Leuven Rega Institute.
• Copper Concentrate Analysis Platform Automated platform for determining copper concentration (10% to 50%) in concentrated ore samples with gravimetric powder sampling, Hotcell acid dissolution and leaching, and iodometric titration. Up to 250 titrations daily with precision standard deviations as low as 0.13%. For mining QC labs.
• WetChem Silver Prill Automated platform for gold analysis from silver prill by executing wet chemistry methods with subsequent offline or online spectral analysis (AA, ICP, MS). Throughput up to 1500 samples per day. For mining and minerals labs.
• WetChem Fertiliser Analysis Automated platform for fertilizer analysis executing wet chemistry methods including determination of N-NH3, N-NO3, N-NO2, P2O5, K2O, CaO, MgO, SO3, SrO, Cl and F using in-line ion chromatographs, titrators, and optionally ICP-OES.
• Automated Labeller and Dispenser Automated lab application that distributes liquid aliquots in 0.5 ml or 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tubes under laminar flow, with controlled gravimetric liquid transfer on balance and labelling of 120 samples per hour. For consumer and health products QC.
• Automated Stability Testing Platform for Liquid Formulations Automated stability testing platform for liquid formulations with 6 trolleys, advanced measurement techniques, and 4 climate chambers. Advanced scheduling software controls ageing and measurement protocols for over 1500 samples. For consumer and health products QC.
• Automated Flask Cell Culture System Bespoke system for automated cell culture flask incubation, handling, and plating of batches of cell cultures. For biotech and biopharma laboratories.
• Hemo Rapid Hemoglobin Quantitation 2nd generation compact mobile-lab blood analyser for veterinary use to rapidly assess hemoglobin content of cattle blood. Tests up to 700 samples in 10 µl capillaries per day of farm visits with immediate results.
• ROBIN Real-time Scheduler Proprietary real-time event-driven scheduling software that continuously monitors the robotic system and makes split-second decisions based on priority rules and available resources. Supports multiple protocols in parallel, barcode/RFID tracking, audit trails, GxP support, and LIMS-compatible data import/export. Offered with no license fee, embedded in Nucomat automation systems.
• Turnkey Automation Project Service Bespoke integrated automation projects delivered through an 8-step process from design concept to engineering, assembly, on-site implementation, training, validation, and acceptance, including custom development for specific client applications. Covers the full lifecycle for enterprise QC and screening labs.

Quantifiable outcome

• WetChem system processes up to 460 samples per day with continuous 24/7 operation
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• DSL Datatech ScientificcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAgent/distributor covering the United Kingdom market, carefully selected based on expertise, know-how, experience, and integrity. Operates under Nucomat's supervision as system-integrator.
• MYC (Minas y Concentradoras)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAgent/distributor covering Peru with a specific focus on the mining industry. Part of Nucomat's global distribution network for lab automation solutions.
• DKSH Bio-StrategyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAgent/distributor covering Australia.
• Euro Science Co., LtdminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAgent/distributor covering South Korea.
• ToplabzminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAgent/distributor covering Central Asia.
• MBrauncoreTechnology or IntegrationNucomat and MBraun co-engineered the MiniCaps automated pathogen assay platform inside a top-notch sealed enclosure at the highest standards of biosafety. MBraun provides the sealed enclosure system while Nucomat provides the automation and assay integration.
• KU Leuven / Rega Institute for Infectious DiseasesflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Caps-IT platform (predecessor to MiniCaps) was developed at the Rega Institute for Infectious Diseases at KU Leuven. The technology has been validated through many peer-reviewed publications in high-ranked journals including Nature (2025), Nature Communications (2024), Science Advances (2024), and others. The Rega Institute collaboration provides scientific credibility and continuous validation of the biosafety screening platform.
• GeoAssayflagshipImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGeoAssay (Chile) is a service company for the mining sector with three chemical laboratories in Chile. It selected Nucomat as its strategic automation supplier for incorporating automated and robotic technologies across its laboratories, serving clients including Codelco, BHP, and AngloAmerican.
• Analytical Instrumentation SupplierscoreTechnology or IntegrationNucomat has developed instrument interfaces and communication protocols for different analytical techniques from several suppliers. Close partnerships with suppliers of analytical instrumentation (AA, ICP, titrators, plate readers, etc.) enable integrated automation solutions.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCqC3L0tUsryngnbvFuZOgWQ
• LinkedInnl.linkedin.com/company/nucomat

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Nucomat