Schulz & Berger

What Schulz & Berger does

Schulz & Berger Luft- und Verfahrenstechnik GmbH is a German industrial air technology specialist founded in 1960 and headquartered in Altenburg, Thuringia. The company designs, engineers, and manufactures custom air technology systems for industrial applications, primarily serving the recycling, waste management, manufacturing, and food industries. Its core product portfolio centers on windsifters (air classifiers) for separating heterogeneous material streams using aerodynamic principles, complemented by dust extraction systems, activated carbon filters, sorting booth ventilation, separators, sorting booths, air piping, and a parallel container/tank construction (Behälterbau) line at its Hohenmölsen facility. Recurring service, maintenance, and spare parts revenue flows through the wholly-owned Schulz & Berger Service GmbH subsidiary.

The company's technological core is grounded in aerodynamic separation, with patented innovations including the Coanda-Sichter (a Coanda effect-based classifier claiming up to 50% energy savings versus conventional systems and winner of the Innovationspreis Thüringen 2024) and the Nierensichter (a kidney-shaped classifier achieving up to 92% material purity for medium-grain lines). Operations span the full value chain — from in-house engineering and manufacturing across the Altenburg headquarters and Hohenmölsen site, through international logistics via S&B Logistik e.K., to ongoing service. The company has been recognized by the Free State of Thuringia and LEG Thüringen as a 'Hidden Champion' and one of the region's world market and technology leaders, and employs 51–100 people.

Schulz & Berger operates a direct enterprise sales motion with no intermediaries, targeting large industrial customers globally through custom-engineered projects with long sales cycles. Its customer base includes Remondis, Stadler Anlagenbau, ALBA Group, Veolia, SUTCO, and other major recycling and waste management integrators across Europe and internationally, with active expansion into North America. Following Summa Equity's July 2025 acquisition, the company is now integrated into the Global Circular Solutions platform, with a stated mandate to expand geographic reach, broaden the product portfolio, and accelerate growth in key markets.

Name

Schulz & Berger

Legal name

Schulz & Berger Luft- und Verfahrenstechnik GmbH

Website

https://schulz-berger.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Schulz & Berger is a German industrial air technology specialist founded in 1960, designing and manufacturing custom windsifters, dust extraction systems, and filtration equipment for recycling, waste management, and manufacturing enterprises globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Altenburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Industrial Equipment Manufacturing: Design, engineering, and fabrication of custom air technology systems including windsifters, dust extractors, separators, and air filtration systems. Project-based sales with long sales cycles for complex industrial installations.
2. Service, Maintenance & Spare Parts: Service operations through Schulz & Berger Service GmbH including maintenance, spare parts, and system extensions for installed equipment.
3. Container/Tank Construction (Behälterbau): Custom container and tank manufacturing as additional product line at Hohenmölsen location.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Schulz & Berger designs, engineers, manufactures, and services industrial air technology systems for plant engineering, recycling, and waste management. The core offering centers on windsifters (air classifiers) for separating heterogeneous material streams, industrial dust extraction systems (bag filters, activated carbon filters), separators, sorting booths, supply/exhaust air systems, and dust suppression equipment. Sales are project-based, custom-engineered, and complemented by aftermarket service, maintenance, and spare parts through its Service GmbH subsidiary.

Product overview

Schulz & Berger is a manufacturer of industrial air technology systems for plant engineering, operating since 1960. The product portfolio is organized into two core categories: (1) Windsichter (Air Classifiers) — seven variants including the patented Coanda-Sichter (Coanda-effect based, Innovation Prize 2024 winner), Nierensichter (kidney classifier), Schwenkblechsichter, Blas-Saug-Sichter, Stufensichter, Zick-Zack-Sichter, and Scheitelwellensichter, used for separating light and heavy material fractions in recycling and waste processing; and (2) Entstaubung (Dust Extraction) systems — comprising Rundschlauchfilter (round bag filters, 4,000–100,000 m³/h), Eckiger Schlauchfilter (angular bag filters), Aufsatzfilter (top-mounted filters for point-source extraction), and Aktivkohlefilter (activated carbon filters for gaseous pollutant removal). Additional product lines include Staubbindung (dust suppression via water mist), Zu- und Abluftanlagen (supply and exhaust air systems) covering Sortierkabinenbelüftung, Hallenlüftung, and Schaltraumkühlung, Abscheider separators (Leichtfraktionsabscheider and Zyklonabscheider), Sortierkabinen (complete modular sorting booths), and Luftleitungen (air piping in pipe and duct form). All products serve the recycling, waste disposal, manufacturing, and food industries, with operations spanning design, manufacturing, assembly, and logistics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Windsichter (Air Classifiers) Industrial air classifiers that separate heterogeneous material streams using aerodynamic forces (wind/air flow). Used by the recycling industry for separating light and heavy material fractions.
• Coanda-Sichter (Coanda Classifier) Air classifier based on the Coanda effect; separates light and heavy materials by using airflow that follows surfaces, enabling high separation purity even with material overlays. Awarded the Thuringia Innovation Prize 2024.
• Nierensichter (Kidney Classifier) Patented air classifier for medium-grain material streams (50–350 mm) in the waste disposal industry; uses a cyclone-like separation effect against a kidney-shaped back wall; achieves up to 92% purity.
• Schwenkblechsichter (Swivel Plate Classifier) Air classifier developed for coarse-grain lines (>350 mm); separates large-area films from material streams using an adjustable air nozzle and a swivel plate that prevents blockages.
• Blas-Saug-Sichter (Blow-Suction Classifier) Entry-level air classifier for medium-grain lines (50–350 mm); a targeted air stream from a blow nozzle spreads the falling material, separating heavy and light fractions; achieves up to 80% purity.
• Stufensichter (Step Classifier) Compact classifier for fine-grain material (10–60 mm) in waste disposal; uses adjustable inclined impact plates and suction to separate material; operates without a cell wheel sluice, reducing wear.
• Zick-Zack-Sichter (Zig-Zag Classifier) Multi-stage classifier for fine-grain materials (0–80 mm) that achieves high purity levels by guiding material through a zig-zag channel with angled surfaces and upward airflow.
• Scheitelwellensichter (Apex Shaft Classifier) Heavy-duty classifier for maximum material throughput in fine-, medium-, and coarse-grain lines (≥10 mm). Available in 2F (two fractions) and 3F (three fractions) variants using an adjustable apex shaft.
• Entstaubung (Dust Extraction) Industrial dust extraction systems using bag filter technology to continuously remove dust from exhaust air streams, protecting workers, residents, and equipment in recycling, manufacturing, and production facilities.
• Rundschlauchfilter (Round Bag Filter) High-performance dust extraction filter in stable round construction (RS/RSV series). Handles air volumes of 4,000–100,000 m³/h; version with internal fan (RSV) saves space; achieves blow heights up to 24 m.
• Eckiger Schlauchfilter (Angular Bag Filter) Compact and cost-effective angular bag filter for 4,000–30,000 m³/h. Modular design allows customization to customer requirements and installation situations.
• Aufsatzfilter (Top-Mounted Filter) Point-source dust extraction filter installed directly on shredders or dust-generating equipment. Rated for 500–3,000 m³/h; designed for wet materials and moist dust to prevent pipe blockages.
• Aktivkohlefilter (Activated Carbon Filter) Activated carbon filter in stable round construction for removing gaseous pollutants, odors, and harmful substances from exhaust air. Used in dust extraction and ventilation systems; variants AKF-15, AKF-20, AKF-25; handles 1,000–100,000 m³/h per unit.
• Staubbindung (Dust Suppression) Two-substance system that produces fine water mist using water and compressed air (Venturi principle) to suppress dust at source points such as loading areas and conveyor transfers.
• Zu- und Abluftanlagen (Supply and Exhaust Air Systems) Supply air systems and combined supply/exhaust air systems that create optimal conditions for employees, machines, and processes in industrial facilities.
• Sortierkabinenbelüftung (Sorting Booth Ventilation) Ventilation systems for sorting booths providing clean, tempered fresh air to reduce worker exposure to germs, viruses, and dust during manual sorting operations; 500–60,000 m³/h capacity.
• Hallenlüftung (Hall Ventilation) Industrial hall ventilation systems handling 5,000–200,000 m³/h for removing dust, viruses, humidity, and odors while conditioning incoming fresh air for optimal working conditions.
• Schaltraumkühlung (Control Room Cooling) Cooling systems for electrical switchgear rooms and server spaces; 1–75 kW cooling capacity and 500–35,000 m³/h air volume to maintain optimal temperature and prevent equipment failures.
• Abscheider (Separators) Separators for reliable material separation in air streams, used as components within air classifier or dust extraction systems to remove particles and light fractions.
• Leichtfraktionsabscheider (Light Fraction Separator) Separator for removing films, paper, and other light fractions directly from air streams. Uses a perforated basket with rotating blades; handles 5,000–60,000 m³/h air and up to 75 m³/h separation output.
• Zyklonabscheider (Cyclone Separator) Cyclone separator using centrifugal force to pre-separate larger particles (GZA) or fine dust (HZA) from air streams; handles 1,000–40,000 m³/h; available in diameters from 400 to 2,000 mm.
• Sortierkabinen (Sorting Booths) Complete sorting booths for manual sorting in waste disposal facilities. Modular steel construction with wooden floors and sandwich panel walls; equipped with ergonomic workplaces and integrated ventilation.
• Luftleitungen (Air Piping) Air piping systems in pipe and duct construction for transporting air to and from equipment. Available in steel, stainless steel (1.4301/1.4571), aluminum (AlMg3), and galvanized steel; used for air supply, pneumatic transport, and exhaust extraction.
• Behälterbau (Container/Tank Construction) Custom container and tank manufacturing at the Hohenmölsen location, providing bespoke tanks and containers for industrial customers.
• Service, Maintenance & Spare Parts After-sales service operations through Schulz & Berger Service GmbH, including maintenance, spare parts, and plant extensions for installed air technology equipment.

Quantifiable outcome

• Coanda-Sichter achieves up to 50% energy savings compared to conventional windsifters
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Nederman: Nederman is a Swedish environmental technology company specializing in industrial air filtration, fume extraction, and dust collection. Its product portfolio and target customers (manufacturing, waste handling, recycling) closely overlap with Schulz & Berger's air technology offerings.
• Hosokawa Alpine: Hosokawa Alpine is a German-Japanese manufacturer of air classifiers, jet mills, and processing equipment for fine powders and bulk materials. Its air classification technology competes directly with S&B's Windsichter portfolio in industrial separation applications.
• Keller Lufttechnik: Keller Lufttechnik is a German manufacturer of industrial dust extraction and air filtration systems serving the recycling, metalworking, and bulk materials industries. It is a direct competitor to Schulz & Berger's Entstaubung (dust extraction) product line, with overlapping customer base in European recycling plants.
• Herding GmbH Filtertechnik: Herding is a German specialist in industrial dust collection filter technology, producing rigid sintered plastic filter elements for various industries. It directly competes with S&B's bag filter systems and activated carbon filters in dust extraction applications.

Emerging players

• Flottweg SE: Flottweg is a German manufacturer of centrifuges, separators, and decanter technology for solid-liquid separation. While its primary technology is mechanical, it overlaps with S&B in industrial separation and bulk material processing customers, particularly in waste and recycling.

Broad incumbents

• MANN+HUMMEL: MANN+HUMMEL is a German global filtration specialist with deep presence in industrial air filtration, automotive filtration, and water filtration. Its industrial air solutions and dust collection products are competitive with S&B's filter and dust extraction lines.
• Donaldson Company: Donaldson is a global leader in filtration systems across industrial, engine, and aerospace markets. Its Industrial Air Filtration segment directly competes with S&B's dust extraction and bag filter products, with broader scale and deeper distributor relationships in North America and Asia.
• Atlas Copco: Atlas Copco is a Swedish global industrial group with significant presence in compressors, vacuum solutions, and air treatment equipment. Its industrial air and gas division competes with S&B in process air applications and dust collection at the industrial scale.
• Bühler Group: Bühler is a Swiss global manufacturer of process engineering solutions for food, feed, and advanced materials, including optical sorting and air separation. It overlaps with S&B in recycling/waste processing line equipment and serves similar enterprise customers at much greater scale.

Regional players

• Stadler Anlagenbau GmbH: Stadler is a German recycling plant builder that integrates sorting and separation equipment into turnkey plants. It is both a customer of S&B (commissioning S&B equipment for plastic sorting plants) and an adjacent player in defining recycling industry technical specifications.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 Schulz & Berger