PlasmaAir

What PlasmaAir does

PlasmaAir AG is a privately-held German industrial environmental technology company headquartered in Weil der Stadt, Baden-Württemberg, that designs, implements, and commercializes plasma-based processes for air pollution control and high-temperature process electrification. Founded in 2001 (with the current AG entity incorporated around 2012), the company operates with approximately 30 employees and is led by Vorstand Dr.-Ing. Bernd Glocker, with Prof. Dr.-Ing. H. Messerschmid chairing the supervisory board. The company serves heavy-industrial customers in cement, glass, metallurgy, chemicals, semiconductor production, galvanic plants, and waste-to-energy / sewage treatment, addressing both regulatory emissions compliance and industrial decarbonization.

The company's technology core is a portfolio of proprietary DC arc-discharge plasma torch systems (PBO oxidative, PBI inert-gas, and PBC methane-optimized series) covering 1-120 kW of electrical power, with a 150 kW steam plasma torch launched in 2025 and a 250 kW unit in development. These plasma sources, backed by matched DC power supplies and PLC-controlled turnkey delivery, are customized for installation on or in customer reactors to enable temperatures above 1200°C using electricity in place of fossil fuels, and to support applications such as methane pyrolysis for turquoise hydrogen, ammonia pyrolysis, plasma cutting, and metal atomization. A second product line covers exhaust air purification — absorption scrubbers (Type FK), sieve tray scrubbers, biofilters, and wet separators — sized from 100 to 100,000 Bm³/h and serving semiconductor (HCl, NH3, SiH4), galvanic, and biological H2S/NH3 removal applications. A third, more recent line is a Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology licensed from ZSW in July 2024, based on an amine-water absorption-desorption process producing approximately 10 kg/h (>99.5 vol.%) of CO2 from ambient air.

PlasmaAir monetizes primarily through custom-engineered hardware sales (turnkey plasma systems, scrubbers, biofilters, wet separators) and multi-year project contracts, supplemented by technology licensing/royalties (ZSW DAC) and revenue from publicly-funded R&D subcontracts under German federal programs (BMWi, BMBF, DBU), the state of Baden-Württemberg, the EU, and Austria's FFG. Go-to-market is enterprise direct sales into industrial facilities, complemented by a consortium of academic partners (University of Stuttgart, RWTH Aachen, TU Darmstadt, TU München) and major industrial partners (BASF, MVV Umwelt, Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Europe) that anchor multi-stakeholder decarbonization and chemical-recycling projects such as GIFFT, H2-Reallabor/ChemDelta Bavaria, CELINA, and BioCharOpt. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is quoted on a project basis.

Name

PlasmaAir

Legal name

PlasmaAir AG

Website

https://plasmaair.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PlasmaAir AG is a privately-held German industrial technology company that designs, manufactures, and installs proprietary DC arc-discharge plasma burner systems, exhaust air purification equipment, and Direct Air Capture technology for heavy industrial, semiconductor, chemical, and waste-to-energy customers across Germany and Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Plasma Technology & Air Pollution Control Equipment

NAICS

Industrial and Commercial Fan and Blower and Air Purification Equipment Manufacturing (333413), Ventilation, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (3334)

SIC

Industrial Process Furnaces & Ovens (3567), Industrial & Commercial Fans & Blowers & Air Purifing Equip (3564)

akta.pro primary industry

Climate Finance Strategy (CapEx planning, green finance, incentives & grants) (EUABAKAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Emission Control & Scrubbing Equipment (Scrubbers, Dust Collectors, Catalytic Systems) (IMAHAEAK), Plasma Gasification & Advanced Thermal Treatment (High-temp conversion) (EUAAAKAG)

Keywords

• Industrial plasma technology
• Exhaust air purification
• Direct air capture
• High-temperature electrification
• Plasma burner systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Weil Der Stadt

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Turnkey Plasma Systems: Complete self-sufficiently operable plasma systems including peripherals like gas supply and cooling system, PLC control for fully automatic operation. Custom designed for each customer's specific application requirements.
2. Exhaust Air Purification Systems: Customized turnkey systems for purification of polluted exhaust air from industrial plants. Each system individually designed based on volume flow and pollutant content. Includes separators, fans, switchgear, piping and blow-out stacks.
3. Direct Air Capture Technology Licensing: Cooperation and license agreement with ZSW to industrialize and market DAC technology. Revenue from technology licensing and pilot plant development.
4. R&D Project Partnerships: Collaborative research projects with universities and industrial partners funded by government bodies including BMWi, BMBF, DBU, and state of Baden-Württemberg. Participation in publicly funded research initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

PlasmaAir AG designs, manufactures, and installs custom turnkey plasma systems (1-120 kW plasma burners across PBO, PBI, PBC families) and exhaust air purification installations (absorption scrubbers, sieve tray scrubbers, biofilters, wet dust separators) for industrial customers. It also develops Direct Air Capture technology under license from ZSW to separate CO2 from ambient air, targeting heavy-industry decarbonization via electrification of high-temperature processes.

Product overview

PlasmaAir AG offers industrial environmental technology products centered on plasma technology, exhaust air purification, and direct air capture. The portfolio consists of three main product lines: (1) Plasma Technology systems including PBO, PBI, and PBC plasma burners (1-120 kW range) with turn-key systems and DC power supplies; (2) Exhaust Air Purification systems encompassing absorption scrubbers (FK type, sieve tray), biofilters, and wet separators; and (3) Direct Air Capture technology for CO2 separation from ambient air. All systems are delivered as turn-key installations with PLC control and process monitoring capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PBO Plasma Burner Arc-heated plasma burner series operated with oxidative plasma gases (air, steam, CO2). Available in sizes from 1-100 kW electrical power for applications including CFC disposal, waste treatment, and pyrolysis gas conditioning.
• PBI Plasma Burner Plasma burner optimized for operation with oxygen-free gases such as hydrogen, nitrogen, ammonia, argon, or helium. Power range 1-100 kW. Applications include plasma abatement for the semiconductor industry, methane pyrolysis, and metal atomization for 3D printing.
• PBC Plasma Burner Plasma burner optimized for methane as plasma gas. Sizes between 8-100 kW electrical power. Typical applications include methane pyrolysis and turquoise hydrogen production.
• Turn-Key Plasma Systems Complete self-sufficiently operable plasma systems including peripherals such as gas supply and cooling system, with PLC control for fully automatic operation and process monitoring. Each installation is individually customized for mounting on or in customer reactors.
• DC Power Supplies for Plasma Sources Robust industrial-grade current-regulated DC power supplies adapted to the company's plasma burner technology. Equipped with an optimized ignition system, modular design, and interfaces for integration into higher-level control systems.
• 150 kW Steam Plasma Torch High-temperature 150 kW steam plasma torch for waste treatment, gasification, and industrial electrification, with enhanced cooling and arc stabilization relative to the 100 kW predecessor.
• Absorption Scrubber Type FK Countercurrent packed-column absorption scrubber for chemical/physical separation of gaseous pollutants such as acids, bases, and ammonia from industrial exhaust air, achieving high separation efficiencies in a compact footprint and available in plastics, stainless steels, or ceramic materials.
• Sieve Tray Scrubber Specialized scrubber for separating ethanol and isopropanol from exhaust air. Achieves legally mandated limits below 50 mg/m³ with minimal water consumption and no water circulation pump required.
• Biofilter Systems Biological exhaust air purification systems using microbiologically degradable airborne substances as a CO2-neutral alternative to combustion for organic hydrocarbons and odorous pollutants, available as surface filters or stackable container modules for large exhaust air volumes.
• Wet Separator / Dust Collector Wet separation system combining Venturi dust collectors and vortex scrubbers for high-efficiency, low-maintenance dust removal from fire- and explosion-hazardous materials, operating without filter elements and suitable for battery test stands and fire rooms.
• Direct Air Capture (DAC) Pilot Plant Technology demonstrator that separates CO2 from ambient air through an absorption-desorption process using an amine-water mixture absorbent, producing approximately 10 kg/h (~100 t/a) of >99.5 vol.% concentrated CO2 for use in synthetic fuels, chemical industry feedstocks, or storage.

Quantifiable outcome

• CO2 emissions reduction of 75% per ton of glass in GIFFT project applications
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GIFFT Consortium (Glass Industry Fuel Flexibility Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 April 2025EU-funded project to revolutionize glass industry with hybrid fuel technology expected to reduce CO2 emissions per ton of glass by 75%. PlasmaAir contributes plasma-assisted combustion technology.
• H2-Reallabor / ChemDelta Bavaria ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 April 2025BMBF-funded project with 19 partners transforming industrial chemical value creation toward sustainable hydrogen-based chemistry. PlasmaAir's sub-project focuses on high-temperature rotary kiln pyrolysis combined with plasma entrained-flow gasification.
• CELINA Consortium (Chemisches Recycling von Abfällen)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 April 2025BMWK-funded project for chemical recycling of waste through fluidized bed gasification. Partners include TU Darmstadt, MVV Umwelt GmbH, BASF SE, Arvos GmbH | Schmidtsche Schack, Umicore AG & Co. KG. PlasmaAir developing plasma burner for POX application.
• BioCharOpt ConsortiumminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 April 2025FFG (Austria) funded project for highly efficient biochar production with pyrolysis gas upgrading. Partners include BIOS BIOENERGIESYSTEME GmbH and Polytechnik Luft- und Feuerungstechnik GmbH.
• ZSW (Zentrum für Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung Baden-Württemberg)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 July 2024Cooperation and license agreement for Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology. PlasmaAir plans to further industrialize and market ZSW's DAC technology. The pilot plant built in 2023 has capacity of approx. 10 kg/h (~100 t/a) of highly concentrated CO2 separated from ambient air.
• University of Stuttgart (IFK, IGVP, ISWA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing research partnerships across multiple projects including FlexIgnite, StrahlWaBe, EnAB, EnAB2, PlASTiC, MiCoPlAST, and current projects for plasma technology development.
• RWTH Aachen UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on energy-efficient exhaust air treatment projects (EnAB, EnAB2, EKaBio) and MiCoPlAST project for VOC removal from exhaust air.
• TU DarmstadtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in CELINA consortium for chemical recycling of waste through fluidized bed gasification.
• TU MünchencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in H2-Reallabor / ChemDelta Bavaria project for hydrogen-based chemical industry transformation.
• Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems EuropeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in FlexIgnite project for plasma ignition technology in power plant burners.
• BASF SEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in CELINA consortium for chemical recycling of waste.
• MVV Umwelt GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in CELINA consortium. Operates waste-to-energy facilities where the technology could be deployed.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hypertherm: US-based industrial plasma cutting and power-supply manufacturer whose high-power plasma source technology is technically adjacent to PlasmaAir's PBO/PBI/PBC burner systems and DC power supplies, even though Hypertherm's primary market is metal cutting.
• 1PointFive (formerly Carbon Engineering): US-based direct air capture developer (backed by Occidental) operating large-scale DAC plants. Comparable as the second well-capitalized commercial DAC peer relevant to PlasmaAir's DAC commercialization work.
• Climeworks: Swiss direct air capture company commercializing CO2 separation from ambient air. Comparable to PlasmaAir's DAC program under the ZSW cooperation, the most direct peer on the DAC side of the portfolio.
• Tetronics: UK plasma technology firm specializing in DC plasma arc systems for hazardous waste treatment and recovery of metals from industrial streams. Comparable to PlasmaAir's high-temperature waste and gasification applications.
• Pyrogenesis: Montreal-based plasma technology company supplying plasma torches and plasma-based systems for waste treatment, environmental remediation and industrial gas applications. Closest publicly identifiable analogue to PlasmaAir's plasma burner and process-heat business.

Broad incumbents

• Coperion: Germany-based industrial process equipment supplier for compounding, extrusion and gasification. Overlaps with PlasmaAir in waste-to-energy and high-temperature process applications, but operates much more broadly with established global scale.
• Dürr AG: German industrial environmental technology group active in paint shops, exhaust air purification and industrial air filtration. Comparable as a larger German incumbent competing for the same industrial air-quality capex that PlasmaAir's scrubber business targets.
• Messer Group: Germany-headquartered global industrial gases company with applications across metallurgy, chemicals and plasma-assisted processes. Comparable to PlasmaAir as a regional industrial gases player addressing overlapping end markets such as cement, glass and chemicals.

Emerging players

• Sunfire: Germany-based decarbonization company focused on hydrogen and CO2 utilization via electrolysis and power-to-X. Comparable as a fellow German deep-tech player addressing industrial hydrogen and carbon valorization, including methane pyrolysis-adjacent opportunities that overlap with PlasmaAir's PBC platform and H2-Reallobor project.

Regional players

• Herding GmbH: German manufacturer of industrial air filtration and dust collection systems. Comparable to PlasmaAir's wet separator and exhaust air purification portfolio with overlapping German industrial customers but no plasma technology.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/plasmaair-ag

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 PlasmaAir