Certech
Certech is a Belgian private research center founded in 1996 by UCLouvain that provides analytical chemistry, materials characterization, and continuous flow chemistry R&D services to industrial clients across life sciences, automotive, packaging, and polymer sectors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersSeneffe, Belgium
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Certech does
Certech is a Belgian private research center headquartered in Seneffe, founded in 1996 at the initiative of UCLouvain with support from the Walloon Region and the European Union. It operates as an enterprise-facing R&D partner and analytical-services provider, holding the status of a Walloon Region recognized research center (decree of April 4, 2024) and maintaining a joint research unit with UCLouvain since 2012. Its technical platforms center on advanced analytical chemistry and materials characterization — GC-TOFMS/Sniffing, GCxGC-HRTOFMS, olfactometry, microchamber chemical emission testing — combined with process-intensification capabilities in continuous flow chemistry for synthesis, recycling, and formulation. The center holds an Agilent Authorized Partner Laboratory designation and is accredited under ISO 9001:2015.
The organization serves industrial customers across eight verticals: life sciences, chemistry, environment, transport (automotive), polymers, energy, packaging, and construction. Named commercial relationships include Valeo Power, Stellantis (PSA), Renault, Toyota, Sil'Innov, Wishbone, Mithra, TheraVet, Dillico, Quantoom Biosciences, and ChemCom. Notable OEM qualifications (Stellantis, Renault, Toyota) and ADEME / French CIR-CII / Walloon Region approvals position Certech as an approved testing partner for the European automotive and chemical industries. It has earned the EcoVadis Silver Medal (top 15% for CSR, 2025) and participates actively in AFNOR, ISO, and CEN standardization committees.
The business model combines (i) fee-for-service analytical testing and custom R&D projects on a quote-based, multi-year contract structure, (ii) regional and EU co-funded collaborative research programs with industry, and (iii) recurring fee-based training workshops (19th edition in 2025, priced at €550-€2,500 per attendee). A staff of 35-57 employees, including roughly 35-40 scientists, executes both commercial engagements and publicly co-funded research. Revenue is split across commercial service fees, grant-funded R&D partnership projects, and workshop revenue, with no disclosed external equity funding, acquisitions, or M&A activity; growth has been organic and gradual since inception.
Certech firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Certech
- Legal name
- Certech
- Website
- https://certech.be
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Certech is a Belgian private research center founded in 1996 by UCLouvain that provides analytical chemistry, materials characterization, and continuous flow chemistry R&D services to industrial clients across life sciences, automotive, packaging, and polymer sectors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Certech industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Analytical and R&D Services
- NAICS
- Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Environmental Consulting Services (54162)
- SIC
- Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Stack/Source Emissions Testing & CEMS Support (EUAHACAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Environmental Public Health Laboratories (Water/Air/Soil) (HLAJAIAG)
Keywords
Where Certech is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seneffe
- HQ country
- Belgium
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Certech business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Analytical Services: Laboratory testing and analytical services for VOC, odors, materials characterization, and compliance testing for automotive and industrial clients. Revenue generated through testing fees, analysis contracts, and service agreements.
- R&D Partnership Projects: Collaborative research and development projects with industrial partners, funded through regional grants (Wallonia, European), technology cheques, and direct contract research. Includes product development, process optimization, and technology transfer services.
- Industrial Partnerships: Long-term partnerships with companies for ongoing R&D support, testing services, and technology development across multiple industry sectors.
- Training and Workshops: Educational workshops and training programs such as the Plastics Recycling Workshop offered for industry professionals.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One time | Plastics Recycling Workshop - 2 days participant |
| Other | One time | Plastics Recycling Workshop - 1 day (30 Sept) participant |
| Other | One time | Plastics Recycling Workshop - 1 day (1 Oct) participant |
| Other | One time | Plastics Recycling Workshop - Exhibitor 2 days |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Analytical and R&D Services |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Certech product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Certech is an independent Belgian research center providing analytical and technological services to industrial companies in (bio)chemistry sectors. Its core activity is delivering accredited laboratory testing (VOC, aldehydes, ketones, odor characterization) and executing contracted R&D partnership projects spanning materials development, process intensification, and recycling technologies. The center operates pilot-scale equipment for chemical recycling, continuous flow chemistry, and polymer processing, and is recognized by major automotive OEMs (Stellantis, Renault, Toyota) for compliance testing.
Product overview
Certech is a research center and R&D partner providing a comprehensive portfolio of analytical and technological services for companies in (bio)chemistry sectors. The offering consists of core analytical services (TD-GC-MS, GC-TOFMS/Sniffing, GC×GC-HRTOFMS, microchamber analysis), characterization and pilot equipment platforms, and domain expertise services spanning environmental quality, materials technology, and chemistry & industrial processes. Key specialized offerings include continuous flow technologies for mRNA production, enzyme analysis, and filament extrusion for 3D printing. Services serve diverse sectors including automotive, pharmaceutical, packaging, construction, energy, and life sciences.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Analytical Services Platform Multi-technological platform for physicochemical and thermomechanical characterization of materials including spectroscopy, chromatography, microscopy, and particle characterization. Provides accredited testing services for VOC, aldehyde, ketone, and odor analysis to industrial clients in automotive, packaging, life sciences, and chemical sectors.
- R&D Partnership Services Collaborative research and development projects with industrial partners for product development, process optimization, and technology transfer across pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical, environmental, energy, polymers, automotive, packaging, and construction industries.
- Pilot Equipment Services Pilot-scale equipment services for process development and scale-up from laboratory to industrial production, including extrusion lines, pyrolysis units, spray drying, micro/mesofluidic reactors, and chemical recycling systems.
- Environmental Expertise Services Services covering air quality, health and safety, energy efficiency, circular economy, and Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) principles, including accredited sampling, analysis, and research in air quality (odours, dynamic olfactometry, odour detection threshold).
- Materials Technology Services Expertise in bio-based polymers, composites, odor and emissions from materials, lightweight materials, and mechanical recycling for polymer manufacturers and converters.
- Chemistry and Industrial Processes Services Process intensification, continuous flow chemistry, catalysis, hydrothermal synthesis, micro/mesofluidic technologies, and chemical recycling services for the chemical industry.
- Continuous Flow Technologies for mRNA Production Process intensification and continuous flow technologies for mRNA manufacturing, including microfluidic IVT reactor development, developed in collaboration with Dillico and Quantoom Biosciences for pharmaceutical and biotech clients.
- Training and Workshops Educational workshops and training programs for industry professionals, such as the annual Plastics Recycling Workshop bringing together industry stakeholders, academic experts, and recycling value chain participants.
Quantifiable outcome
- Enabled Valeo to meet automotive manufacturer specifications for parts containing up to 80% recycled materials through odor decontamination processes
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Certech
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Certech technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Certech partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Valeo PowercoreDevelopment project collaboration to increase recycled content in automotive parts for cabin air conditioning systems. Certech provided odor assessment and VOC identification expertise enabling Valeo to meet manufacturer specifications for parts containing up to 80% recycled materials.
- DillicocoreCollaboration on implementation of process intensification and continuous flow technologies for transforming mRNA manufacturing. Development of custom microfluidic reactor module dedicated to IVT reaction for mRNA synthesis.
- Quantoom BiosciencescoreCollaboration on synthesis of mRNA drug substances in continuous flow. First microfluidic IVT reactor prototype confirmed possibility to synthesize mRNA in continuous flow, with ongoing work to integrate additional upstream steps.
- Sil'InnovcorePartnership for development of patented spray drying process for synthesis of silica particles for solubilization and controlled release of active ingredients for pharmaceutical and agro markets.
- WishbonecoreDevelopment of patented biomaterials production process for medical implants including vascular, ophthalmic, resorbable implants, and polymer reactors for biotech applications.
- MithraminorCollaboration on implants for women's health applications in the life sciences sector.
- TheraVetminorCollaboration on polymer reactors for biotech applications and implants for animals.
- ChemComminorCollaboration on odor analysis for biotechnology sector, development of potential activators/inhibitors of human olfactory receptors (hOR).
- Agilent TechnologiescoreAuthorized Partner Laboratory of Agilent Technologies for expertise in chromatography including GPC, TREF, and TD-GC-MS. Provides access to advanced analytical technology and expertise.
- UCLouvain (Catholic University of Louvain)coreFounding partner from which Certech was created in 1996; joint research unit established in 2012 to strengthen collaboration and formalize R&D and technology transfer activities.
- University of SavoieminorGuest lecturer and professor exchange for sustainable chemistry, process intensification, and advanced microscopy education.
- CNAM (Conservatoire national des arts et métiers)minorGuest professor at CNAM for sustainable chemistry and process intensification education.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Certech competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- SGS: World's largest testing, inspection, and certification company with broad materials, environmental, and life sciences testing services. Provides scaled alternatives to Certech's analytical services across automotive and chemical sectors, though with much wider geographic reach and less specialization in VOC/odor.
- Intertek: Global quality assurance and testing company providing analytical services across chemicals, materials, polymers, and consumer products. Comparable in automotive materials testing and polymer characterization, though with broader portfolio and international scale.
- Eurofins Scientific: Global leader in analytical testing with extensive environmental, materials, and life sciences testing services. Directly comparable as a contract analytical laboratory serving regulated industries including automotive and pharma, though at vastly larger scale across many more geographies and test categories than Certech.
- Bureau Veritas: Global testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) company serving industrial clients with materials testing, environmental services, and compliance verification. Comparable overlap in automotive materials testing and air quality services, though operating as a broader portfolio TIC incumbent.
Direct peers
- TNO: Dutch applied research organization offering contract R&D and analytical services across chemistry, materials, and environmental domains. Comparable contract research partnership model, applied science capabilities, and industrial client base across European OEMs and chemical companies.
- Element Materials Technology: Specialized materials testing and characterization services company serving aerospace, automotive, and industrial clients. Comparable in materials characterization and failure analysis offerings, though operating at much larger scale across multiple geographies.
- VITO: Flemish applied research center with comparable scope in environmental technology, sustainable chemistry, and materials characterization. Strong peer given Belgian proximity, similar public/private hybrid funding model, and overlap in air quality, recycling, and circular economy R&D.
- Sirris: Belgian collective research center supporting manufacturing industry with applied R&D services in materials, polymers, and process technologies. Comparable Belgian footprint, similar R&D partnership model, and overlapping client base in automotive, polymers, and packaging sectors.
- Smithers: Specialized provider of testing, consulting, and research services for materials, polymers, and industrial sectors. Comparable in polymer analysis, materials characterization, and industry-specific testing services, with similar mid-sized specialized positioning.
- Fraunhofer Society: German applied research organization operating institutes as contract R&D partners for industrial clients with public co-funding. Closely comparable business model to Certech: applied chemistry/materials research, industrial partnerships, public-private co-funding, and pilot-scale capabilities — though with substantially broader scope and scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Certech social profiles
Digital presenceCertech compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance8 records
Certech financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Certech leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Certech funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Certech 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 Certech
What does Certech do?
Certech is an independent Belgian research center providing analytical and technological services to industrial companies in (bio)chemistry sectors. Its core activity is delivering accredited laboratory testing (VOC, aldehydes, ketones, odor characterization) and executing contracted R&D partnership projects spanning materials development, process intensification, and recycling technologies. The center operates pilot-scale equipment for chemical recycling, continuous flow chemistry, and polymer processing, and is recognized by major automotive OEMs (Stellantis, Renault, Toyota) for compliance testing.
Is Certech a public or private company?
Certech is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Certech founded?
Certech was founded in 1996. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Certech based?
Certech is headquartered in Seneffe, Belgium, in the Europe region.
How does Certech make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Analytical Services are the primary driver. The others are R&D Partnership Projects, industrial Partnerships and training and Workshops.
Who are Certech's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are SGS, Intertek, Eurofins Scientific and Bureau Veritas. Direct peers are TNO, Element Materials Technology, VITO, Sirris, Smithers and Fraunhofer Society.
Does Certech have an API?
No public API is recorded for Certech.
What industry is Certech in?
Certech's product category is Industrial Analytical and R&D Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAHACAB, Stack/Source Emissions Testing & CEMS Support, with a secondary code of HLAJAIAG, Environmental Public Health Laboratories (Water/Air/Soil). Its NAICS code is 54138 and its SIC code is 8734.