HILICON

What HILICON does

HILICON AB is a Swedish specialty chromatography products manufacturer founded in 2014 and headquartered in Umeå, Sweden. The company designs, develops, and produces consumable products for Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography (HILIC), a separation technique used to retain and analyze polar and hydrophilic compounds that perform poorly under traditional reversed-phase chromatography. Its primary customers are academic and research laboratories conducting 'omics research (metabolomics, proteomics, lipidomics, glycomics), pharmaceutical and clinical diagnostic laboratories, and, to a lesser extent, food and beverage testing and environmental monitoring laboratories.

HILICON's product portfolio is built around a proprietary zwitterionic charge modulated stationary phase chemistry, in which silica or polymer particles are covalently bonded with neutral, positively charged, and negatively charged hydrophilic functional groups. This produces a separation mechanism that combines hydrophilic interaction, hydrogen bonding, and weak electrostatic interactions, yielding unique selectivity and ultra-low column bleeding compatible with LC-MS detection. The portfolio consists of four column product lines (iHILIC-Fusion, iHILIC-Fusion(+), iHILIC-Fusion(P), and iHILIC-(P) Classic) that offer complementary selectivity through hydroxyethyl amide and diol chemistries on silica or polymeric supports, plus iSPE-HILIC solid-phase extraction cartridges and 96-well plates for sample preparation of polar analytes such as glycans, glycopeptides, and phospholipids. Columns are offered in PEEK, stainless steel, and PEEK-lined stainless steel hardware and inner diameters of 1.0 to 4.6 mm. The technology is externally validated by over 220 peer-reviewed scientific publications referencing iHILIC products and over 40 referencing iSPE-HILIC.

The company operates a dual-channel distribution model: direct sales via email and telephone for markets without local representation, alongside an authorized distributor network of more than 30 partners across Europe, Asia-Pacific, North America, and South America covering over 30 countries. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. Marketing relies on the company website, application notes published in trade outlets such as LCGC magazine, scientific posters, and active participation in major industry conferences including ASMS, Analytica, and Pittcon. Revenue is generated entirely through sales of consumable columns and cartridges, with no disclosed software, service, or licensing components.

Name

HILICON

Legal name

HILICON AB

Website

https://hilicon.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

HILICON AB develops and manufactures proprietary HILIC chromatography columns and SPE cartridges for separating polar and hydrophilic compounds. The Swedish firm serves academic, pharmaceutical, clinical diagnostics, food, and environmental laboratories globally through direct sales and 30+ international distributors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Chromatography Consumables

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

Analytical Instruments & Chromatography Systems (HLAGAIAA)

Keywords

• Hydrophilic interaction chromatography
• HILIC columns
• Solid phase extraction
• LC-MS consumables
• Chromatography consumables

Headquarters

HQ city

Umeå

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Chromatography columns and SPE products: HILICON generates revenue through the sale of its proprietary iHILIC chromatography columns and iSPE-HILIC sample preparation products. Products are sold directly and through a global distributor network. Revenue is derived from product sales across multiple column types, hardware configurations, and application areas.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

HILICON develops and manufactures chromatography columns and solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridges for the separation and purification of polar and hydrophilic compounds using Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography (HILIC). The product portfolio includes the iHILIC column family (iHILIC-Fusion, iHILIC-Fusion(+), iHILIC-Fusion(P), and iHILIC-(P) Classic) built on proprietary zwitterionic charge modulated stationary phases, plus iSPE-HILIC cartridges and 96-well plates for sample preparation. Products are sold directly and via a global distributor network for LC-MS applications in omics research, pharmaceutical analysis, clinical diagnostics, food testing, and environmental monitoring.

Product overview

HILICON develops and manufactures chromatography products for HILIC (Hydrophilic Interaction Liquid Chromatography) separation of polar and hydrophilic compounds. The product portfolio consists of four iHILIC® column product lines (iHILIC®-Fusion, iHILIC®-Fusion(+), iHILIC®-Fusion(P), and iHILIC®-(P) Classic) providing complementary selectivity through different surface chemistries (hydroxyethyl amide and diol functional groups on silica or polymeric particles), and iSPE®-HILIC cartridges/96-well plates for sample preparation. The iHILIC columns use zwitterionic charge modulated stationary phases combining hydrophilic interaction, hydrogen bonding, and weak electrostatic interactions for unique separation selectivity and high efficiency in LC-MS applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• iHILIC®-Fusion: Silica-based HILIC columns for UHPLC and HPLC applications, featuring charge modulated hydroxyethyl amide stationary phase with 1.8, 3.5, and 5 µm particle sizes.
• iHILIC®-Fusion(+)
• iHILIC®-Fusion(P)
• iHILIC®-(P) Classic
• iSPE®-HILIC

Products and services

• iHILIC-Fusion Silica-based HILIC chromatography columns with charge modulated hydroxyethyl amide stationary phase for UHPLC and HPLC separation of polar and hydrophilic compounds; available in 1.8, 3.5, and 5 µm particle sizes with PEEK, SS, and PEEK-lined SS hardware for LC-MS users in omics research, pharma, clinical diagnostics, food, and environmental labs.
• iHILIC-Fusion(+) Charge modulated hydroxyethyl amide HILIC columns with enhanced retention for anions, available for HPLC and UHPLC; targeted at LC-MS analyses requiring high efficiency and ultra-low bleeding for anionic polar analytes.
• iHILIC-Fusion(P) Polymer-based HILIC columns with charge modulated amide chemistry (5 µm) and pH stability from 1 to 10, providing ultra-low bleeding for analytical separations requiring broader pH range than silica-based columns.
• iHILIC-(P) Classic Polymer-based charge modulated diol HILIC columns (5 µm, 200Å pore size) designed for the separation and purification of polar and hydrophilic compounds using HILIC.
• iSPE-HILIC Solid-phase extraction (SPE) cartridges and 96-well plates packed with charge modulated hydroxyethyl amide silica for purification and enrichment of polar analytes such as glycopeptides, glycans, PSP toxins, and phospholipids prior to LC-MS analysis.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

36 partnerships are on record, tiered standard.

• CalibreScientific BelgiumstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in Belgium.
• Serendipity RS OODstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in Bulgaria.
• BIOVIT d.o.o.standardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in Croatia.
• Chromservis s.r.o.standardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in Czech Republic. Co-exhibits with HILICON at Analytica 2026.
• CalibreScientific FrancestandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in France.
• dichrom GmbHstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
• MALVA S.A.standardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in Greece.
• Weber ConsultingstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in Hungary.
• Bargal Analytical Instruments LtdstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in Israel.
• CPS analitica s.r.l.standardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in Italy.
• Teknolab ASstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in Norway.
• Shim-PolstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in Poland.
• AZ ChromstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in Slovakia.
• Laboratoril-UMstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in Slovenia.
• Symta S.L.L.standardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in Spain.
• Teknolab Sorbent ABstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in Sweden.
• Chromax SolutionsstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in Turkey.
• Teknikus Kromatografi TeknolojileristandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in Turkey.
• elementstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in UK and Ireland.
• Hichrom, Ltd.standardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in UK and Ireland through Avantor.
• Accurate Mass ScientificstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in Australia.
• GuangZhou Lubex Ltd.standardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in China.
• Innosa Biochem Ltd.standardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in China.
• Tin Hang Technology Ltd.standardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in Hong Kong.
• Orion Scientific SuppliersstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in India.
• Imptech ScientificstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in India.
• ChromaNik Technologies Inc.standardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in Japan.
• BioNik Inc.standardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in Japan.
• Modern Sama Trading EststandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in Saudi Arabia.
• LabonstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in South Korea.
• ChemBridgestandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in South Korea.
• BioSuperStar Ltd.standardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in Taiwan.
• The Nest Group Inc.standardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in United States and Canada.
• PolyLC Inc.standardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in United States and Canada.
• Acore ConsumíveisstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in Brazil.
• EcoChem Especialidades QuímicasstandardChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized distributor for HILICON products in Colombia.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Agilent Technologies: Agilent offers HILIC columns including InfinityLab Poroshell 120 HILIC and ZORBAX HILIC Plus, sold alongside its widely deployed LC and LC-MS instrument base. Competes with HILICON for polar-compound separations in pharma, metabolomics, and food testing, typically winning through instrument-consumable bundling.
• Phenomenex (Danaher): Phenomenex offers HILIC columns such as Luna HILIC and Kinetex HILIC, distributed globally and bundled with sample-preparation consumables. Directly competes with HILICON across pharma, food, environmental, and omics workflows, with strong brand recognition and a broad complementary product catalog.
• Restek Corporation: Restek manufactures specialty LC columns including HILIC phases targeted at food safety, environmental, and clinical research. Comparable to HILICON as a mid-sized specialty chromatography consumables company with strong application support and direct technical sales channels.
• Waters Corporation: Waters sells ACQUITY UPLC BEH HILIC and Atlantis HILIC columns for separations in pharma, biomedical, and food safety workflows. A leading chromatography consumables player whose HILIC SKUs directly overlap with HILICON's customer use cases, especially in regulated pharmaceutical analysis.
• Bio-Rad Laboratories: Bio-Rad produces chromatography consumables including HILIC-relevant offerings for protein and biomolecule separations. Overlaps with HILICON in life science research and biopharma workflows, with a broader life-science product portfolio.
• Tosoh Bioscience: Tosoh produces HILIC and mixed-mode chromatography columns under the TSKgel brand, with a focus on biomolecule and bioseparation workflows. Competes with HILICON in proteomics, glycomics, and biopharma purification and analysis applications.
• Shimadzu Corporation: Shimadzu manufactures HILIC columns for its Nexera LC and LC-MS platforms, including Shim-pack Velox HILIC. Competes with HILICON in pharma, food safety, and environmental analysis, with the advantage of an integrated instrument-and-software ecosystem.
• Merck KGaA (Supelco): Merck's Supelco analytical products division manufactures a broad portfolio of HILIC columns (e.g., Ascentis Express HILIC, SUPELCOSIL LC-Si) for small-molecule and biomolecule separations. Directly competes with HILICON across pharma, food, environmental, and clinical research applications, with the advantage of a much larger sales force and bundled instrument solutions.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Thermo Fisher offers HILIC columns under the Accucore and Hypersil brands, alongside its dominant Orbitrap and Q-Exactive LC-MS platforms. Competes with HILICON across omics, pharma, and clinical research applications, with scale advantages in distribution and method-development support.
• YMC Co., Ltd. YMC is a Japanese specialty manufacturer of HPLC and UHPLC columns including a dedicated HILIC line (YMC-Triart HILIC). Comparable to HILICON as a focused chromatography consumables specialist with global distribution and a strong reputation in biomolecule separations.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HILICON

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 HILICON