Castus

What Castus does

Castus GmbH & Co. KG is a German manufacturer of Rapid Transfer Port (RTP) systems used to move components contamination-free into and out of pharmaceutical isolators. Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Ochsenhausen, Germany, the company designs, produces, and assembles alpha Ports (fixed transfer ports installed in isolator walls), beta Transfer Containers (mobile docking units in 316L stainless steel or PE), gamma Equipment (drawer, rail, rack, cage systems), and Component Processing Systems (CPS) for stopper and cap washing, siliconising, sterilising, drying and cooling. The portfolio also includes support products (Mobilift, trolleys, accessories) and single-use consumables under the castus Single Use (CSU) brand. Differentiated engineering features include the patented Castus Safety Interlock System (CSIS), the fully automatable alpha Port iCON with status monitoring for Pharma 4.0, hygienic-design geometries with no undercuts, and 100% unit-level tightness testing with full batch traceability under ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certification.

Castus sells to enterprise pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturers requiring aseptic processing for drug products, vaccines, and sterile filling lines, with customers in 35+ countries. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time equipment sales (RTPs, beta Containers, CPS), supplemented by consumables (CSU single-use bags), accessories, and bespoke engineering services. Pricing is quote-based with multi-year contract cadences; the company does not publish price tiers. Sales mix combines direct enterprise field sales (Ochsenhausen HQ) with regional channel partners: STEQ (Americas, Canada, Brazil), Melchers Techexport (China, succeeding ILLIES), Illies (South Korea, Vietnam), PharmaLab (India), and Netsteril (Spain). The legal group comprises castus GmbH & Co. KG and castus sterile systems GmbH & Co. KG in Germany, plus wholly-owned HANAG Steriltechnik AG in Oberwil, Switzerland (acquired 2021-03-31). Ownership is concentrated with Managing Director Jürgen Hoffmann via Hoffmann Beteiligungs GmbH; no external VC or PE investment is evidenced in the available data.

Name

Castus

Legal name

castus GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://castus.pro

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Castus GmbH & Co. KG is a German manufacturer of Rapid Transfer Port (RTP) systems, beta transfer containers, gamma equipment, and component processing systems for sterile transfer into pharmaceutical isolators, serving drug manufacturers and biotechnology companies in 35+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pharmaceutical Sterile Transfer Equipment Manufacturing

akta.pro primary industry

Sterile & Aseptic Medical Packaging (Pouches, Wraps, Sterile Barriers) (IMALAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Parenteral & Injectable Packaging Components (Stoppers, Seals, Syringes, Cartridges) (IMALAIAE)

Keywords

• Sterile transfer systems
• Pharmaceutical isolator equipment
• Rapid transfer ports
• Component processing systems
• Aseptic manufacturing equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Ochsenhausen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. RTP Transfer Systems: Sale of Rapid Transfer Port (RTP) systems including alpha Ports and beta Transfer Containers. These are custom-engineered pharmaceutical equipment for sterile transfer processes.
2. Component Processing Systems: Sale of stopper and cap handling systems (CPS) for pharmaceutical primary packaging, including washing, siliconising, sterilising, drying and cooling equipment.
3. Single-Use Products: Sale of single-use beta bags (CSU) for sterile transfer applications, sold as consumables with per-unit pricing.
4. Accessories and Support Products: Accessories including beta openers, seal insertion tools, protection covers, trolleys, and Mobilift lifting devices. Sold as standalone products or complements to main RTP systems.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Castus manufactures Rapid Transfer Port (RTP) systems for sterile transfer of components into and out of pharmaceutical isolators. Its product portfolio centers on alpha Ports (fixed transfer ports installed in isolator walls) and beta Transfer Containers (mobile units that dock via 60-degree rotation), supplemented by gamma Equipment (drawer, rail and rack systems, cages), Component Processing Systems (CPS) for washing, siliconising, sterilising, drying and cooling stoppers/caps, single-use CSU beta bags, and support products (Mobilift, trolleys, accessories). All products are developed with hygienic design principles and manufactured in cleanroom ISO Class 5 conditions in Germany under ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certifications.

Product overview

Castus is a manufacturer of Rapid Transfer Port (RTP) systems for pharmaceutical sterile transfer processes. The product portfolio centers on alpha Ports (stationary transfer ports installed in isolator walls) and beta Equipment (mobile transfer containers that dock to alpha ports), complemented by gamma Equipment for sensitive components, Component Processing Systems for stopper/cap handling, and support products like lifting devices and trolleys. The alpha Port family includes the automatable iCON, standard SQ, Rotating, Roto, Lowered, and Flushfloor variants. The recently launched castus Single Use (CSU) expands the offering to single-use beta bags. All products are developed with hygienic design principles and manufactured in Germany (Ochsenhausen) under 'Swabian Quality' principles, serving customers worldwide in pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CSU (castus Single Use): Single-use beta bags for sterile transfer of components into and out of isolators
• alpha Port iCON
• CPS (Component Processing System)
• HANAG

Products and services

• alpha Port iCON Fully automatable transfer port designed for Pharma 4.0 environments. Features status monitoring for high process reliability, optimized cleanability with no undercuts, and reduced interfering contours for particle reduction in docking/undocking processes. Available in 190mm, 270mm, and Flushfloor versions.
• alpha Port SQ Standard transfer port featuring the patented Castus Safety Interlock System (CSIS) that prevents improper operation. Includes double-sealed door and optimized WIP design. Available in diameters 190-460mm.
• alpha Port Rotating Transfer port in which the 60-degree rotation docking movement is performed entirely by the alpha Port rather than the beta part. Features ergonomic handwheel operation and optional sensor monitoring for end position.
• alpha Port Roto Transfer door for connecting two isolators without a silicone membrane. The docking movement is performed by the Port itself, suitable for systems that cannot or may not be rotated.
• alpha Port Lowered Horizontally-fitted transfer port with downward movement and rotary function for docking large material containers under the isolator. The complete port can be lowered up to 70mm.
• alpha Port Flushfloor Flush-to-floor transfer port with no protruding edge for easier cleaning and glass breakage removal. Individually adapted to each workstation for optimal task execution.
• beta Transfer Container 316L Stainless steel transfer container for contamination-free loading and unloading of components. Features 60-degree docking rotation, lip seal hermetic sealing, modular design, fully autoclavable with electropolished surfaces.
• beta Transfer Container PE Plastic transfer container with lip seal suitable for gas or radiation sterilization (not autoclaving). Features seamless weld production for easy cleaning and variable handle positions.
• beta Liquid Transfer Container Stainless steel container equipped with TriClamp blind cover and individual nozzle configurations for connecting tubes. Enables liquid transfer with product tanks inside or outside the isolator without additional ports.
• beta Liner PE Disposal system for contaminated material and waste using film cartridge with 25 or 40 meter capacity and quick-change system for safe film replacement. Gamma sterilized liners available upon request.
• Drawer, Rail and Rack System Rail and rack systems for sterile transfer of sensitive components. The Rail System transfers racks directly to isolator rails; the Drawer System allows controlled rack extraction. A Pro version offers +27% more volume.
• Cage (Gamma Equipment) Alternative to single-use products for stopper and cap handling. Cage pulls out of container for direct filling into hoppers. Fully autoclavable with easy manual dosing for small batches.
• Component Processing System (CPS) Stopper and cap processing system covering washing, siliconising, sterilising, drying, and cooling processes. Variable process volume up to 350 litres with open system interface technology for unloading into any container.
• Mobilift Mobile electric lifting device for heavy beta transfer containers. Features two-speed electrical lifting with soft start/stop, remote control, 60kg maximum capacity, and approximately 130 lifts per battery charge.
• Trolley Dock and undock assistance for heavy beta transfer containers. Height-adjustable with 150mm adjustment range, lockable castors, optional lid holder. Fully autoclavable (optional).
• castus Single Use (CSU) Single-use beta bags for sterile transfer of components into and out of isolators. Features bottleneck design for complete emptying, welded flange connection, optional RFID integration for traceability, and compatibility with gamma, steam, ETO, X-ray, and VHP sterilization methods.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% tightness testing of every unit before shipment
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• HANAG Steriltechnik AGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 March 2021HANAG Steriltechnik AG, the stopper processing specialist based in Oberwil, Switzerland, was integrated into Castus. Castus (Germany/Ochsenhausen) became the new owner with transfer of all employees and HANAG customers. This acquisition enabled Castus sterile systems GmbH & Co. KG to bundle stopper handling system production within the group.
• Melchers Techexport GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMelchers Techexport GmbH (Bremen, Germany), a subsidiary of C. Melchers GmbH & Co. KG founded in 1806, became the exclusive sales representative for Castus transfer systems throughout China. The partnership leverages Melchers' extensive network and expertise in Asia for market development and expansion.
• STEQcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSTEQ serves as the sales partner for Castus in America and Canada, representing the company's products in the North American pharmaceutical market.
• IlliescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIllies serves as sales partner for Castus in South Korea and Vietnam, providing local market presence and customer support in these regions.
• PharmaLabcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPharmaLab (India) serves as the sales partner for Castus in the Indian market, with Mr Sumit Saha as Product Manager Isolators handling customer relations.
• NetsterilcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetsteril serves as the sales partner for Castus in Spain, representing the company's products in the Spanish pharmaceutical market.
• ILLIES (former China partner)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAfter several years of cooperation, ILLIES ended its pharmaceutical activities in China. Melchers Techexport GmbH succeeded ILLIES as the new sales representative for China.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SKAN AG: Swiss manufacturer of isolators, rapid transfer ports, and decontamination systems for the pharmaceutical industry. SKAN is the most direct peer to Castus, offering overlapping alpha-beta RTP solutions to the same pharmaceutical and biotech customer base.
• ILC Dover: US-based specialist in single-use flexible containment solutions for pharmaceutical and bioprocessing applications. Comparable to Castus in single-use transfer and containment products (relevant to CSU), with broader biopharma exposure.
• Tofflon Science and Technology: Chinese publicly-listed manufacturer of pharmaceutical processing equipment including isolators, sterilizers, and filling lines. Competes with Castus in the Asian market, particularly relevant as Castus expands through Melchers and PharmaLab partners.
• Fedegari Group: Italian family-owned manufacturer of sterilization, containment, and aseptic processing equipment including isolators and transfer systems. Comparable in size and Mittelstand profile to Castus, serving the same pharmaceutical customer base.
• Metall+Plastic (Optima Group): German manufacturer of isolators, rapid transfer ports, and containment technology for pharmaceutical and life science applications. Same geographic origin and overlapping product portfolio with Castus, including RTP and stoppering systems.
• Bioquell (Ecolab): UK-based specialist (subsidiary of Ecolab) in bio-decontamination using hydrogen peroxide vapor for pharmaceutical isolators and cleanrooms. Adjacent technology overlap with Castus, particularly around isolator-integrated decontamination workflows.
• Telstar (Azbil Group): Spanish-headquartered pharmaceutical equipment manufacturer (owned by Japan's Azbil) producing isolators, lyophilizers, and integrated aseptic processing lines. Overlaps with Castus in sterile transfer and containment for fill-finish operations.
• Comecer: Italian manufacturer (part of ATS Corporation) of pharmaceutical isolators, RTP systems, and containment/sterile transfer solutions. Directly competes with Castus in sterile transfer equipment for aseptic pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Broad incumbents

• Getinge: Swedish global medtech incumbent with a large pharmaceutical processing division offering sterilisers, isolators, and transfer equipment. Competes with Castus as a broad-line vendor to the same pharmaceutical customers, though RTP is only one of many product lines.
• Sartorius AG: German-listed bioprocessing supplier offering single-use solutions, filtration, and fluid management for pharmaceutical manufacturing. Adjacent to Castus in single-use consumables for aseptic processing, but operates at much larger scale across the bioprocess workflow.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 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 Castus