Mantis-ULV

What Mantis-ULV does

Mantis ULV-Sprühgeräte GmbH is a family-owned German manufacturer founded in 1974 and headquartered in Geesthacht, specializing in ultra-low volume (ULV) spraying systems built around patented rotary atomizer technology. Its core technology uses centrifugal force (without pressure) to generate approximately 30 million uniform droplets (~40 micrometers) from 1 ml of liquid, enabling liquid and herbicide reductions of 50-80% versus conventional spraying methods. The company monetizes hardware sales across six branded product lines — MANKAR® (weed control), MAFEX® (crop protection), BioMant (hot-water / bio-herbicide weed control), ROFA (disinfection and insect control), BEMA (handheld units), and the industrial nozzle Type BL with system components (pumps, control units, power supplies) — serving customers in agriculture, precast concrete manufacturing, food processing, and public/animal health. Distribution runs through a 70-country network of independent sales partners supplemented by direct engagement at international trade fairs; the company also develops integrated solutions with third parties, notably a 2014 robotic ULV platform co-developed with Naïo Technologies (France). No external funding has been raised, the company is led by Managing Director Hiske Weissmann, and it is currently hiring sales and service staff as of January 2025.

Name

Mantis-ULV

Legal name

Mantis ULV-Sprühgeräte GmbH

Website

https://mantis-ulv.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mantis ULV-Sprühgeräte GmbH is a family-owned German manufacturer (founded 1974) of patented ultra-low volume rotary-atomizer spraying systems sold under the MANKAR, MAFEX, BioMant, ROFA, and BEMA brands to agriculture, industrial concrete, crop-protection, and public/animal-health customers via a 70-country distributor network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural and Industrial Spraying Equipment

NAICS

Farm Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing (333111), Agricultural Implement Manufacturing (33311)

SIC

Farm Machinery & Equipment (3523)

akta.pro primary industry

Electrostatic, ULV & Fogging Application Equipment (AFAAADAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Spray Control, Rate Controllers & Nozzle Systems (Pumps, Valves, Atomizers) (AFAAADAF)

Keywords

• Ultra-low volume spraying
• Agricultural spraying equipment
• Professional weed control
• Crop protection sprayers
• Rotary atomizer technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Geesthacht

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. ULV Spraying Equipment Sales: Mantis ULV develops, manufactures, and sells ULV spraying systems and related equipment. Revenue is generated through direct sales and a global network of independent sales partners. The company sells various product lines including industrial nozzles, BEMA hand-held units, ROFA units, MANKAR, MAFEX, and BioMant systems, as well as system components (pumps, control units, power supplies).

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Mantis ULV develops, manufactures, and sells ultra-low volume (ULV) spraying systems based on patented rotary atomizer technology. Its portfolio spans professional weed control (MANKAR), chemical-free hot water weed control (BioMant), crop protection for potatoes, fruits and silage (MAFEX), disinfection and insect control (ROFA), handheld industrial spraying units (BEMA), and industrial rotary atomizers (Type BL). Equipment is sold globally through independent sales partners and at trade fairs.

Product overview

Mantis ULV-Sprühgeräte GmbH is a family-owned company (since 1974) specializing in ultra-low volume (ULV) spraying systems for professional applications. The product portfolio centers on patented rotary and segment rotary nozzle technology that generates millions of uniform droplets from minimal liquid volumes, enabling up to 75% liquid savings. The core products include: MANKAR® ULV Sprayers for weed control using undiluted herbicides; BioMant thermal sprayers using 99.5°C hot water for chemical-free weed control; MAFEX® ULV Sprayers for crop protection of potatoes, fruits, and silage; ROFA sprayers for disinfection and insect control in public and animal health; BEMA handheld units for industrial and health sector surface spraying; and industrial nozzle Type BL for manufacturing applications. Products range from handheld portable units (BEMA series) to vehicle-mounted systems (MANKAR Carry/Roll/Drive) and stationary industrial installations, all sharing the common ULV technology platform for precision liquid application.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MANKAR®: ULV spray devices for effective, environmentally friendly and economical weed control using undiluted liquid herbicides
• MAFEX®
• BioMant
• ROFA
• MANTIS-ULV®
• BEMA

Products and services

• MANKAR® ULV Sprayers Professional weed-control spraying equipment using ultra-low volume (ULV) technology for the effective, environmentally friendly, and economical application of undiluted liquid herbicides. Includes MANKAR Carry (manually operated: MANKAR-HQ, MANKAR-HQ-80, Mantra, Mini-Mantra), Roll (towable: MANKAR-TWO, MANKAR-ONE, MANKAR-P/GP), and Drive (vehicle-mounted: MANKAR DRIVE-E, DRIVE-P) variants with modules such as Varimant, Unima, Flexomant, and Trama/Tramus.
• BioMant Sprayers (Hot Water Weed Control) Thermal weed-control equipment using 99.5 °C hot water to destroy plant cell structure without chemicals, suitable for organic farming and public spaces; also usable with bio-herbicides. Includes BioMant-Mini (compact), BioMant-Compact (mid-size, independent water tank and battery), BioMant-Flex (flexible applications), and BioMant-ONE (large-area chemical-free elimination).
• MAFEX® ULV Sprayers ULV sprayers for crop protection of potatoes, fruits, and silage, using centrifugal force to generate approximately 30 million droplets from 1 ml of liquid for optimal quality assurance and extended shelf life of harvested crops.
• ROFA ULV Sprayers Versatile ULV sprayers for disinfection and insect control in animal and public health applications, capable of distributing droplets up to 7 meters using an integrated fan. Used for air and surface disinfection in hospitals, restaurants, and swimming pools, as well as insect/pest control in livestock housing and greenhouse pest management.
• BEMA Handheld Sprayers Portable handheld sprayers based on ULV technology for flexible use on smaller surfaces and mobile applications. Available in gravity-feed (BEMA-1000, BEMA-1000K, BEMA 10.000) and pump-powered (BEMA-P 1000K, BEMA-P 10.000) variants with 1- or 10-litre tanks, with applications including concrete release-agent application, mould spraying on tables, and surface disinfection.
• Industrial Nozzle Type BL Patented industrial rotary atomizer generating approximately 30 million droplets from 1 ml of liquid with uniform droplet size of approximately 40 micrometres (35–45 µm). Operating without pressure via centrifugal force at 12,000–15,000 rpm, 12–15 V supply, max flow 250 ml/min, and spray cone diameter up to 80 cm. Used in industrial production lines including concrete release-agent application, achieving up to 75% liquid savings.

Quantifiable outcome

• 75% less liquid consumption (industrial nozzle Type BL)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Naïo Technologies (Toulouse, France)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014In cooperation with Naïo Technologies in Toulouse (France), Mantis developed in 2014 a ULV spraying system for a fully automatic robot, already deployed for weed control in nurseries and vegetable farming. The partnership represents Mantis's expansion into autonomous/robotic application of its ULV technology.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Lemken GmbH & Co. KG: German family-owned manufacturer of professional crop cultivation equipment (plows, cultivators, seeders) and crop protection sprayers. Comparable to Mantis ULV as a German Mittelstand family business with international distribution and overlap in spraying equipment.
• Deere & Company (John Deere): Global agricultural equipment major offering tractors, sprayers (including the R-Series self-propelled sprayers), and precision-ag technology. Competes with Mantis ULV in crop protection spraying and weed control, with far greater resources for autonomous and precision-agriculture R&D.
• Amazone GmbH & Co. KG: Large German agricultural equipment manufacturer offering tillage, seeding, fertilizing, and crop protection sprayers. A broader incumbent whose field sprayers compete with Mantis ULV's MANKAR drive/roll models, but Amazone's wider portfolio extends well beyond spraying.

Emerging players

• Naïo Technologies: French agricultural robotics startup building autonomous weeding and farming robots; partner of Mantis ULV since 2014 on robot-compatible ULV sprayers. Adjacent competitor and collaborator in robotic weed control, targeting similar nurseries, vegetables, and specialty crop use cases.
• Ecorobotix: Swiss developer of AI-driven autonomous weeding robots (ARA) using camera recognition and precision spraying. Adjacent competitor in precision weed control that could displace or complement ULV chemical application in row crops and vegetables.

Direct peers

• Hardi International: Danish manufacturer of boom sprayers, mistblowers, and crop protection application equipment. Competes with Mantis ULV in the broader crop protection spraying category, particularly in weed control and crop spraying use cases across Europe and globally.
• Caffini S.p.A. Italian manufacturer of agricultural sprayers (boom, orchard, and specialized spraying equipment). Direct competitor in the European crop protection spraying equipment market, serving similar farmer and contractor segments as Mantis ULV's MANKAR and MAFEX lines.
• Birchmeier Sprühtechnik AG: Swiss manufacturer of professional spraying and dosing equipment, including battery-powered and pressure-sprayer products for agriculture, cleaning, disinfection, and industrial applications. Overlaps with Mantis ULV's BEMA handheld line and ROFA disinfection use cases.
• Micron Sprayers Ltd: UK-based specialist in ULV (Controlled Droplet Application) spraying equipment for agriculture, public health, and vector control. Direct competitor to Mantis ULV's MANKAR and ROFA product lines, sharing a focus on ultra-low volume rotary atomizer technology and international public-health applications.
• Tecnoma Technologies: French manufacturer of crop sprayers, mistblowers, and self-propelled spraying machines. Overlaps with Mantis ULV's weed control and crop protection product lines, particularly in vineyards, orchards, and row crops across Europe.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC_bxoghuWiLH1ju0T5zGw6w
• Facebookfacebook.com/mantisulv
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mantisulv
• Instagraminstagram.com/mantisulv
• Xx.com/mantisulv

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Mantis-ULV