CC-Link Partner Association

Name

CC-Link Partner Association

Legal name

CC-Link Partner Association

Website

https://cc-link.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Automation Networking

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Conformity Assessment, Testing, Inspection & Certification Cooperation (BPADANAD)

Keywords

• Industrial network protocols
• Factory automation
• Time-sensitive networking
• Conformance testing
• Industrial Ethernet

Headquarters

HQ city

Chagrin Falls

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from partner companies. Four tiers: Registered (free), Regular (100,000 JPY/year), Executive (200,000 JPY/year), Board (1,000,000+ JPY/year).
2. Conformance Testing Fees: Fees for conformance testing of CC-Link compatible products. Pricing varies by product type and network protocol, ranging from 50,000 JPY to 400,000 JPY per product.
3. Recommended Parts Testing Fees: Fees for testing and certifying recommended wiring parts and tools, ranging from 100,000 JPY to 150,000 JPY.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CLPA provides industrial network technology specifications, conformance testing services, and product certification for the CC-Link family of protocols including CC-Link IE TSN, CC-Link IE Controller/Field Networks, CC-Link Safety, and CC-Link/LT. The association enables industrial automation manufacturers to develop certified CC-Link compatible products through membership tiers, technical specifications, and partner development support.

Product overview

CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA) offers the CC-Link Family of industrial network protocols for factory automation. The portfolio consists of three generations: (1) First-generation CC-Link (serial communication, 10 Mbps), (2) Second-generation CC-Link IE (Gigabit Ethernet-based: Controller Network for backbone, Field Network for device control, Field Network Basic for simplified applications), and (3) Third-generation CC-Link IE TSN (Time-Sensitive Networking with gigabit bandwidth enabling real-time control and IT/OT convergence). Supporting protocols include CC-Link Safety (SIL3-compliant safety communication), CC-Link/LT (space-saving panel wiring), SLMP (seamless message protocol), and CSP+ (device profile specification). CLPA also provides development tools including configuration software, Wireshark plugins, and sample code for partner product development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CC-Link IE TSN The first open industrial Ethernet to combine Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) functions with gigabit bandwidth. Uses time-division multiplexing to achieve real-time communication while enabling coexistence of multiple networks and high-precision motion control. Supports both 1 Gbps and 100 Mbps communication speeds for industrial automation manufacturers.
• CC-Link IE Controller Network Second-generation CC-Link IE network providing high-speed, large-capacity communication for distributed control. Functions as a backbone network that integrates field networks. Features redundant transmission paths for high reliability and supports 1 Gbps communication.
• CC-Link IE Field Network High-speed, large-capacity field network that handles both control data and management data. Supports seamless configuration of controller distribution, I/O control, motion control, and safety functions. Communication speed at 100 Mbps or 1 Gbps.
• CC-Link IE Field Network Basic Simplified field network utilizing standard Ethernet technology for small-scale systems that do not require high-speed control. Achieves easy startup, connection, diagnosis, and implementation with 100 Mbps communication speed.
• CC-Link Safety Safety field network protocol that achieves safe system construction while maintaining high compatibility with CC-Link. Existing assets such as dedicated cables and conventional CC-Link remote stations can be utilized. Complies with IEC 61508 SIL3.
• CC-Link/LT Space-saving network for panel and equipment interior wiring. Simplifies complex wiring operations and prevents miswiring. Offers simplified parameter settings and programming with easy construction for I/O control wiring reduction.
• SLMP (Seamless Message Protocol) Protocol specification for seamless message communication that enables integration of various devices across different networks within the CC-Link Family. Supports MODBUS and IO-Link implementations.
• CSP+ (Control & Communication System Profile) Description language specification for describing device profiles within the CC-Link Family. Enables integration of engineering tool environments, multi-language support, and manual-less operation for CC-Link compatible devices.
• CC-Link IE TSN Configuration Tool Software tool for configuring CC-Link IE TSN networks. Version 1.114S available for download. Allows setup and management of TSN network parameters and device configurations.
• CC-Link IE TSN Wireshark Plugin Network protocol analyzer plugin enabling packet analysis for CC-Link IE TSN communications. Makes packet analysis easier for debugging and troubleshooting TSN networks.
• CC-Link IE TSN Sample Code Sample code for CC-Link IE TSN remote station Class A implementation. Designed to be compact for low-cost microcontrollers. Includes reference manual and supports STMicroelectronics NUCLEO-F439ZI evaluation board with FreeRTOS and lwIP stack.
• CC-Link First-generation serial communication-based industrial network protocol. Handles both control and information simultaneously at 10 Mbps transmission speed with 100m transmission distance and maximum 64 stations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Time synchronization accuracy of 1 microsecond or better
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

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

• SoftBank Corp.flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 February 2026Joint demonstration of Time-Sensitive Networking over 5G for industrial automation. Achieved world-first successful demonstration of TSN over 5G achieving 122 nanosecond time synchronization accuracy. Partners include SoftBank (5G network provider), Murata Manufacturing (hardware), and CLPA (network technology).
• Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 February 2026Joint demonstration of TSN over 5G with SoftBank and CLPA. Provided industrial devices for the demonstration of CC-Link IE TSN Class B-compliant products over private 5G network.
• Analog Devices, Inc.coreTechnology or IntegrationBoard member of CLPA. Passed CC-Link IE TSN recommended network wiring parts test for Industrial Ethernet TSN Switch ICs.
• Cisco SystemscoreTechnology or IntegrationBoard member of CLPA. Provides industrial Ethernet switches including IE3500 Rugged Series and Catalyst IE3100 Rugged Series supporting CC-Link IE TSN and CC-Link IE Controller networks.
• Molex, LLCcoreTechnology or IntegrationBoard member of CLPA. Strategic partner for industrial connectivity solutions supporting CC-Link networks.
• Mitsubishi Electric CorporationcoreTechnology or IntegrationSupporting company and key partner. Develops MELSEC PLCs, industrial PCs, and servo systems supporting CC-Link IE TSN. Provided TOKUFASTbot demonstration robot.
• 3M CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoard member of CLPA. Active partner participating in global exhibitions and supporting CC-Link technology adoption.
• Balluff GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationBoard member of CLPA. German sensor manufacturer providing CC-Link compatible sensors and participating in technical committees.
• IDEC CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting company of CLPA. Develops industrial control products supporting CC-Link networks.
• Cognex CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting company of CLPA. Provides vision sensors and industrial ID readers supporting CC-Link networks.
• NEC CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting company of CLPA. Strategic partner for industrial automation and network solutions.
• OPC FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMemorandum of Understanding signed for coordination in Machine to IT systems communications. Joint work on interoperability specifications.
• PROFIBUS & PROFINET International (PI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation agreement for transparent network infrastructure. Joint specification for CC-Link IE and PROFINET interoperability.
• Avnu AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipant in TSN Industrial Automation Conformance Collaboration (TIACC) along with ODVA, OPCF, and PI for developing single common conformance test plan for IEC/IEEE 60802 TSN for Industrial Automation.
• ODVAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipant in TSN Industrial Automation Conformance Collaboration (TIACC) for developing common conformance test specifications.
• OPC Foundation (OPCF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipant in TSN Industrial Automation Conformance Collaboration (TIACC) for common TSN test plan development.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• EtherCAT Technology Group: ETG promotes the EtherCAT real-time industrial Ethernet protocol. ETG is a direct peer competing for the same factory-floor motion/IO design-ins as CC-Link IE TSN, particularly in European machinery and equipment builder accounts.
• FieldComm Group: FieldComm Group promotes HART, FOUNDATION Fieldbus, and FDI process automation standards. It is a directly comparable protocol-promotion peer focused on industrial instrumentation and process automation.
• ODVA: ODVA promotes EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, and CIP networks. CLPA and ODVA collaborate inside TIACC to develop a single common TSN conformance test plan for IEC/IEEE 60802, making ODVA a direct peer in the TSN industrial automation space.
• OPC Foundation: OPC Foundation promotes OPC UA for machine-to-IT interoperability. CLPA signed an MOU with OPCF for joint interoperability specifications, and they are co-participants in TIACC, making OPCF a directly comparable standards-body peer in the IT/OT convergence space.
• Avnu Alliance: Avnu Alliance promotes TSN-based networking across professional AV, automotive, and industrial automation. CLPA is a TIACC participant alongside Avnu, making Avnu a directly comparable TSN-focused consortia peer with overlapping industrial scope.
• IO-Link Consortium: IO-Link Consortium promotes the IO-Link point-to-point sensor/actuator communication standard. IO-Link is integrated with SLMP within CC-Link family and targets the same sensor-level industrial automation use cases, making it a directly comparable protocol consortia peer.
• PROFIBUS & PROFINET International (PI): PI is the global consortium promoting PROFINET industrial Ethernet. CLPA and PI have a formal cooperation agreement for transparent network infrastructure and joint CC-Link IE / PROFINET interoperability specifications, making PI the closest direct peer in industrial network consortia.

Broad incumbents

• Rockwell Automation: Rockwell Automation is the parent promoter of ODVA and EtherNet/IP, offering PLCs, motion, and networking solutions that overlap with the CC-Link ecosystem across North American and global factory automation.
• Siemens AG: Siemens is the founding industrial automation incumbent behind PROFINET and a major competing promoter of industrial networking standards, with a portfolio that overlaps CC-Link's PLC, drive, and networking offerings at a much larger scale.
• Beckhoff Automation: Beckhoff Automation is the principal promoter of EtherCAT and offers PC-based control, drives, and I/O. It is a comparable broad incumbent that competes with CC-Link IE TSN in PC-based and high-speed motion control applications.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CC_LinkNews
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@CCLinkPartnerAssociation/featured
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cc-link-partner-association-europe

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 CC-Link Partner Association