Future Materials
Future Materials AS is a Norwegian national catapult center providing shared testing facilities, expertise, and equipment access for companies developing sustainable advanced materials. The center serves Norwegian industrial clients across battery technology, additive manufacturing, circular economy, plastics, composites, minerals, metals, and powder processing.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersGrimstad, Norway
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Future Materials does
Future Materials AS is a Norwegian national catapult center for materials technology headquartered in Grimstad, Norway. Founded in 2017 (with formal catapult designation in 2020), the center operates as a shared infrastructure provider offering testing facilities, technical expertise, and a partner network to industrial companies developing sustainable advanced materials. The organization was established with government funding from SIVA's Norsk Katapult program and serves as a bridge from the idea phase to pilot phase for industrial clients, with management led by CEO Aslaug Hagestad Nag. The stated headcount is 51-100 employees and the center serves approximately 140 industrial companies annually.
The center operates across six technology domains: battery technology, additive manufacturing, circular economy and recycling, plastics and composites, minerals and metals, and powder processing. Core technical capabilities include advanced material testing, failure analysis, chemical and mechanical purification, LIBS spectroscopy for online chemical analysis, plasma powder spheroidization, and access to specialized equipment such as Norway's only DED/hybrid manufacturing machine (DMG MORI Lasertec 65) and induction plasma system (Tekna TEK15). Services are delivered through three primary lines: Material Testing Services (failure analysis, accelerated aging, functional testing), Development Pathways (industrialization support, open innovation), and Events/Knowledge Sharing, supplemented by an Equipment Park hosted at partner facilities.
The business model combines government grants (primarily from SIVA, Innovation Norway, Forskningsrådet, and Stiftelsen Teknologiformidling) with paid testing and development services for industrial clients. Direct SIVA funding amounts to 30 MNOK for center establishment, supplemented by project-specific grants including 22 MNOK from SUMBAT (battery value chain), 1.6 MNOK from Stiftelsen Teknologiformidling, and industry-partner roles in larger Grønn Plattform projects (68.5 MNOK and 70 MNOK). Pricing is quote-based pay-as-you-go, with rates subsidized by public funding. The customer base spans startups and SMBs (TioTech, Saferock, Antisink, Othilies Keramikk) to larger enterprises (Morrow Batteries, Kitron, Elkem), with go-to-market primarily through direct B2B engagement within Norway.
Future Materials firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Future Materials
- Legal name
- Future Materials AS
- Website
- https://futurematerials.no
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Future Materials AS is a Norwegian national catapult center providing shared testing facilities, expertise, and equipment access for companies developing sustainable advanced materials. The center serves Norwegian industrial clients across battery technology, additive manufacturing, circular economy, plastics, composites, minerals, metals, and powder processing.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Future Materials industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Materials Testing and Development Services
- NAICS
- Other Electronic Component Manufacturing (334419)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Repair, Refurbishment & Remanufacturing Services (EUAIANAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Value Chain Development & Supplier Upgrading (BPADAMAI), Energy Storage Components for Renewables Manufacturing (BESS Packs, PCS, Thermal Management) (EUAMAHAI)
Keywords
Where Future Materials is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Grimstad
- HQ country
- Norway
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Future Materials business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Government Funding (Siva/Norsk Katapult): Future Materials receives government funding through the Norsk Katapult program administered by Siva in collaboration with Innovation Norway and Forskningsrådet. Received 30 million NOK for development of the center.
- Testing and Development Services: Companies pay for access to testing facilities, expertise, and network services. The center offers equipment rental at reasonable prices, with prices reduced due to government support. Services include material testing, development, and validation.
- Project-based Research Contracts: Participates in funded research projects such as SUMBAT (22 MNOK for pilot line for cylindrical battery cells) and other industry collaboration projects.
- Grant Funding: Received 1.6 million NOK from Stiftelsen Teknologiformidling for the 'Kickstart mot 2030 – resirkulert plast' project to increase use of recycled plastic.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Equipment rental and testing services |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Future Materials product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Future Materials operates as Norway's national Catapult Centre, providing shared access to advanced testing facilities, specialised equipment, and materials expertise for industrial companies. The centre offers material testing, failure analysis, accelerated aging, and validation services alongside structured development pathways covering industrialisation, open innovation, and future technology assessment, spanning battery technology, additive manufacturing, circular economy/recycling, plastics and composites, minerals and metals, and powder processing. Services are delivered at partner-hosted facilities (Elkem, Norner, MIL, ReSiTec, UiA) under a sharing-economy model with government-subsidised pricing.
Product overview
Future Materials is a Norwegian national catapult centre based in Grimstad that provides a shared infrastructure, equipment, expertise, and network for companies to develop, test, and verify materials and production processes. The centre operates as a multi-service offering centred on material development rather than a single product. Its portfolio spans six technology domains — Battery Technology, Additive Manufacturing, Circular Economy and Recycling, Plastics and Composites, Minerals and Metals, and Powders — delivered through three core service lines: Material Testing Services (failure analysis, accelerated aging, functional testing), Development Pathways (industrialization, open innovation), and Events/Knowledge Sharing. Access to specialized equipment is provided through an Equipment Park hosted at partner sites. The centre combines its own expertise with external partners including Elkem, Norner, Mechatronics Innovation Lab (MIL), ReSiTec, and the University of Agder.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Material Testing Services
Quantifiable outcome
- 140 companies served annually for material testing
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Future Materials
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Future Materials technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Future Materials partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Yoik/HelwitminorBrand partner for fiber-based snus can development. The partnership aims to replace single-use plastic containers in the smokeless tobacco segment with fiber-based packaging.
- Elkem ASAcoreElkem is a key partner providing access to their R&D facilities including chemical analysis labs, pyrometallurgy equipment, material characterization tools (SEM/EDS/EBSD), and pilot production areas. Elkem Technology contributes expertise in materials science and is represented on the steering group.
- Norner AScoreNorner is a global market leader in plastic and composite materials, providing expertise in polymer development, recycling technologies, and testing facilities including climate chambers, mechanical testing, and advanced analytical equipment for purity analysis (LC/Q-TOF, Py-GC-MS).
- Mechatronics Innovation Lab (MIL)coreMIL hosts advanced manufacturing equipment including DMG MORI Lasertec 65 DED hybrid (only one in Scandinavia) and Tekna Tek15 induction plasma system (only one in Norway) for powder production and spheroidization.
- ReSiTec AScoreReSiTec specializes in processing of silicon slurry waste from solar panel production into silicon powder for other industries. Provides equipment for crushing, classification, and processing of minerals and metals.
- University of Agder (UiA)coreUniversity of Agder is a research and education partner, contributing academic expertise and hosting facilities. Professor Jarle Hjelen from UiA has provided SEM-related services since 1979.
- Arendals Fossekompani ASminorOne of the founding companies behind the Future Materials catapult center, representing industrial ownership.
- DyneaminorInnovation and Development Manager Kristin Grøstad from Dynea is represented in the network, contributing expertise in adhesives and industrial solutions.
- Siva SFcoreSiva manages the catapult scheme on behalf of Nærings- og fiskeridepartementet in collaboration with Innovation Norway and Forskningsrådet. Provides government funding and strategic direction for catapult centers.
- Morrow BatteriescoreKey partner in SUMBAT project (Sustainable Materials for Battery Value Chain). Future Materials received 22 MNOK to build pilot line for cylindrical battery cells as part of Morrow's innovation center in Grimstad.
- Nye VeierminorProject owner for 'Bærekraftig verdikjede og materialbruk i vegbygging' project. Future Materials is an industry partner in this Grønn Plattform project worth 68.5 MNOK.
- Scale Aquaculture ASminorProject owner and partner in SirkAQ project for circular economy solutions in aquaculture. Future Materials and Norner contribute material recycling expertise.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Future Materials competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- RISE Research Institutes of Sweden: Swedish state-funded applied research organization running shared testing facilities, pilot lines, and materials development programs across battery, polymer, and circular-economy domains — operates the most structurally similar 'shared infrastructure' model to Future Materials in the Nordics.
- Danish Technological Institute: Denmark's GTS institute network with shared materials testing, additive manufacturing, and circular economy pilot facilities — comparable Nordic publicly-funded testing infrastructure serving industrial SMBs.
- TWI Global: UK-based welding/materials testing institute providing industrial contract testing, failure analysis, and qualification services — directly comparable operating model as a membership-driven, fee-for-service materials testing organisation.
- Norner AS: Norner is Future Materials' closest core partner and a global leader in polymer/composite testing, recycling characterization, and battery separator/electrolyte analysis — competes in the same client projects (BSF&E) while also serving as collaborator.
- MIL (Mechatronics Innovation Lab): Norwegian innovation lab in Grimstad hosting the additive manufacturing and plasma equipment (Tekna Tek15, DMG MORI Lasertec 65) that Future Materials' customers access — functions as both infrastructure partner and adjacent service provider in the same micro-cluster.
Broad incumbents
- Catapult Centres (UK): UK's network of nine Catapult centres (e.g., High Value Manufacturing Catapult) offering shared pilot-scale equipment and testing for industrial clients — the closest international policy analogue to the Norsk Katapult model Future Materials operates under.
- Fraunhofer Society: Germany's largest applied research network operating ~75 institutes with shared pilot equipment and contract testing — comparable 'publicly funded shared R&D infrastructure' model at much larger scale and international footprint.
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: Finnish state-owned applied research centre with comparable piloting/testing capabilities in advanced materials, batteries, and circular economy — a direct Nordic counterpart competing for cross-border European industrial clients.
- SINTEF: Norway's largest independent research institute, operating across materials, materials testing, batteries, and circular economy with significantly larger scale and broader service portfolio — the most direct domestic comparable as a Norwegian applied research centre.
Others
- Siva SF: Norwegian government agency that administers the Norsk Katapult programme under which Future Materials operates — the funder/owner ecosystem, comparable in role to UK Catapult programme administrators or Sweden's Vinnova.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Future Materials social profiles
Digital presenceFuture Materials financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Future Materials leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Future Materials funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Future Materials M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Future Materials
What does Future Materials do?
Future Materials operates as Norway's national Catapult Centre, providing shared access to advanced testing facilities, specialised equipment, and materials expertise for industrial companies. The centre offers material testing, failure analysis, accelerated aging, and validation services alongside structured development pathways covering industrialisation, open innovation, and future technology assessment, spanning battery technology, additive manufacturing, circular economy/recycling, plastics and composites, minerals and metals, and powder processing. Services are delivered at partner-hosted facilities (Elkem, Norner, MIL, ReSiTec, UiA) under a sharing-economy model with government-subsidised pricing.
Is Future Materials a public or private company?
Future Materials is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Future Materials founded?
Future Materials was founded in 2021. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Future Materials based?
Future Materials is headquartered in Grimstad, Norway, in the Europe region.
How does Future Materials make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Government Funding (Siva/Norsk Katapult) is the primary driver. The others are testing and Development Services, project-based Research Contracts and grant Funding.
Who are Future Materials's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Danish Technological Institute, TWI Global, Norner AS and MIL (Mechatronics Innovation Lab). Broad incumbents are Catapult Centres (UK), Fraunhofer Society, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and SINTEF. Siva SF is listed as an others.
Does Future Materials have an API?
No public API is recorded for Future Materials.
What industry is Future Materials in?
Future Materials's product category is Industrial Materials Testing and Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAIANAB, Repair, Refurbishment & Remanufacturing Services, with a secondary code of BPADAMAI, Value Chain Development & Supplier Upgrading. Its NAICS code is 334419 and its SIC code is 8731.