Cortex Facaderens & Membran

What Cortex Facaderens & Membran does

Cortex Facaderens & Membran is a Danish specialty contractor founded in 1991, headquartered in Hvidovre, Denmark, that provides facade cleaning, restoration, and maintenance services for historic, heritage, and commercial buildings. The company operates a portfolio of 12 proprietary cleaning methods (branded Cortex 01 through Cortex 12) spanning high-pressure washing, hot water cleaning, chemical paint removal, water spray, low-pressure wet blasting, patented Jos afrensning, Silk afrensning, dry/wet sandblasting, and algae removal, supplemented by what the company describes as the world's largest and most advanced laser cleaning machine for facade restoration. Core intellectual property is the patented Jos afrensning system (a pressure-regulated wet blasting method centered on a proprietary nozzle design) and the proprietary Silk afrensning method combining Gommage and Jos techniques with environmentally friendly archifine media. The company also performs joint milling (fugeudfræsning) using pneumatic tools, horizontal moisture barrier installation, and operates All-Tech ApS (equipment rental, maintenance, and mobile repair services) and Cortex Membran as related subsidiaries.

The business model is project-based professional services. Projects are scoped through consultation with building owners, architects, and property administrators, with pricing determined on a project-specific quotation basis (no standardized pricing). Customer acquisition is predominantly sales-led, driven by a reference portfolio of landmark Scandinavian projects (Oslo Storting, Marmorkirken, Christiansborg, Politigården, Carlsberg), professional advisory engagement, and a network of 250+ named collaboration partners spanning major Danish general contractors, heritage agencies, and institutional clients. Primary customer segments are building owners and property administrators, architects and technical consultants, and government and public institutions (particularly heritage and national buildings). The company was acquired by Swedish facade services group Fasadgruppen Group AB in 2021, and a generational leadership transition was completed on January 1, 2022, with Mikkel Schultz assuming the CEO role from founder Holger Schultz. Geographic focus is Denmark and Norway with 13 employees and seasonal operations from April to November.

Name

Cortex Facaderens & Membran

Legal name

Cortex Facaderens ApS

Website

https://facaderens.dk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cortex Facaderens & Membran is a Danish specialty contractor founded in 1991 that provides facade cleaning, restoration, and joint milling services for historic, heritage, and commercial buildings in Denmark and Norway. The company operates 12 proprietary cleaning methods, including a patented low-pressure wet blasting system and laser cleaning, and is owned by Swedish facade services group Fasadgruppen Group AB.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Facade Cleaning and Restoration Services

NAICS

Janitorial Services (561720), Building Finishing Contractors (2383)

akta.pro primary industry

Window, Façade & High-Rise Exterior Cleaning (IMAIADAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Post-Construction & Final Clean Services (BPABABAD), Post-Painting & Drywall Dust Cleaning (HSAEADAH)

Keywords

• Facade cleaning services
• Building restoration services
• Heritage building restoration
• Laser facade cleaning
• Masonry joint milling

Headquarters

HQ city

Hvidovre

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Facade Cleaning and Restoration Services: Cortex Facaderens generates revenue through project-based facade cleaning and restoration services. The company operates across multiple specialized cleaning methods (high-pressure washing, hot water cleaning, chemical cleaning, water spray, Jos, Silk, dry/wet sandblasting, laser cleaning) and complementary services including joint milling and moisture barrier installation. Projects range from individual building facades to major landmark buildings. Pricing follows project-specific quotations rather than standardized rates.
2. Equipment Rental, Sales, and Maintenance (All-Tech): All-Tech ApS, a separately operated company founded in the mid-1990s, generates revenue through rental and sales of mobile high-pressure cleaners, maintenance and repair of high-pressure systems, compressors, and facade cleaning equipment, and mobile workshop emergency repair services. This subsidiary serves both Cortex's internal equipment needs and external construction industry customers.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Cortex Facaderens & Membran is a Danish facade cleaning and restoration specialist that delivers project-based facade renovation services for historic and modern buildings, using a proprietary portfolio of 12+ cleaning methods (high-pressure washing, hot water, chemical, water spray, Jos, Silk, sandblasting variants, algae removal, and laser cleaning) together with complementary services such as pneumatic joint milling (fugeudfræsning) and horizontal moisture barrier installation (horisontalspærre). Through its subsidiary All-Tech ApS, the company also provides rental, maintenance, and mobile repair of high-pressure cleaning equipment to external construction industry customers. Services are scoped through advisory consultation, site visits, and trial cleaning before final execution.

Product overview

Cortex Facaderens is a specialized facade renovation and cleaning company offering a comprehensive portfolio of 12 proprietary cleaning methods (Cortex 01-12), ranging from high-pressure washing to advanced laser cleaning technology. The core offering includes chemical cleaning, various sandblasting techniques (dry, wet, low-pressure), Jos and Silk soft-blasting methods, and laser cleaning for sensitive surfaces. The company also provides joint milling services (fugeudfræsning) for old masonry and maintains an internal equipment service division called All-Tech. Services cover diverse surface types including brick, natural stone, plaster, concrete, wood, and metal, with applications from routine cleaning to environmental remediation involving hazardous materials like lead and PCB. The company operates under the Swedish parent company Fasadgruppen Group AB following acquisition in 2021.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cortex 01 – High-Pressure Washing (Højtryksspuling) High-pressure washing facade cleaning service using diesel-powered mobile units with water tank and independent power supply, suitable for removing surface dirt, biological growth, loose paint, and lime from all facade materials.
• Cortex 02 – Hot Water Cleaning (Hedevandsrensning) High-pressure washing facade cleaning service using hot water up to 300 bar via a manual flat variable-spread nozzle, suitable for removing surface dirt, growth, algae, loose paint, and lime from all facade materials.
• Cortex 04 – Chemical Cleaning (Kemisk afrensning) Chemical paint removal service followed by hot water cleaning using approved paint strippers neutralized with clean water; suitable for oil and plastic painted surfaces on plaster, brick, wood, or natural stone where minimal damage is desired.
• Cortex 05 – Water Spray Cleaning (Vandspray) Periodic water atomization facade cleaning service using pressure between facade and plastic covering, with manual surface treatment and subsequent rinsing; suitable for brick, natural stone, and all types of plastered surfaces.
• Cortex 06 – Jos Afrensning (Patented Gentle Wet Blasting) Patented pressure-regulated low-pressure wet blasting service using soft blasting media (dolomite, calcite, artify) combined with water under pressure to provide a gentle rotating cleaning effect; suitable for natural stone, brick, plaster, biological growth, pollution, lime, and silicate paint removal.
• Cortex 07 – Silk Afrensning (Silk Cleaning) Advanced facade cleaning service combining Jos equipment with gommage blasting media (archifine), an environmentally friendly fine recycled material; suitable for natural stone, brick, plaster, biological growth, pollution, lime, silicate and other porous surface treatments.
• Cortex 08 – Combined Water Spray / Jos / Silk Method Combined facade cleaning service using a computer-controlled water spray system followed by Jos or silk blasting to achieve high cleanliness gently with minimal water usage; particularly suitable for lime-containing natural stone and brick facades.
• Cortex 09 – Low-Pressure Wet Sandblasting (Lavtryksvådsandblæsning) Pressure-regulated wet sandblasting service with fine quartz sand at typically 3–4 bar using TORBO or similar low-pressure systems; suitable for removal of lime, paint, pollution, spackle, bitumen, thin plasters and mortar layers on brick, plaster, concrete, iron, or steel.
• Cortex 10 – Dry Sandblasting (Tørsandblæsning) Pressure-regulated dry sandblasting service with variable-sized quartz sand at typically 7 bar air pressure; suitable for painted and plastered surfaces, iron, steel, and wood where surroundings do not allow large amounts of water, often used on interior walls.
• Cortex 11 – Wet Sandblasting (Vådsandblæsning) Pressure-regulated wet sandblasting service with quartz sand of variable sizes where water is added at the nozzle to form a protective envelope around the blasting media, reducing dust; suitable for surfaces requiring removal to new surface treatment including brick, plaster, concrete, iron, and steel.
• Cortex 12 – Algae and Growth Removal (Algerensning) Algae and biological growth removal service combining disinfectant application with high-pressure hot water washing up to 300 bar and 30 liters per minute; removes organic growth from virtually all facade and building materials while killing algae spores in surface pores to delay regrowth.
• Laser Cleaning for Facade Restoration Specialized laser cleaning service using the world's largest and most advanced laser machine for facade restoration; energy is absorbed by dark layers which dissolve into dust, making the method uniquely suitable for removing black pollution and gypsum formation on mineral building materials and natural stone; first applied at scale on facade cleaning at Marmorkirken in Copenhagen in 1999.
• Joint Milling Service (Fugeudfræsning) Specialized joint milling and recutting service for old masonry using pneumatic tools rather than electric angle grinders to avoid vibration injuries; involves removing deteriorated mortar joints for repointing as part of facade renovation; 8–10 employees specialize in this service enabling continuous full-facade projects.
• All-Tech Equipment Rental, Maintenance and Repair Specialized service division (All-Tech ApS) for repair and maintenance of high-pressure systems, compressors, and facade cleaning equipment, including trailer and mobile high-pressure unit assembly, emergency on-site mobile workshop repairs, pressure hose testing and repair at workshop and on-site, and sales and rental of high-pressure equipment to the construction industry.
• Facade Cleaning Services across Surface Types Professional facade cleaning service offering across multiple surface types (treated surfaces, blank brick, natural stone, wood, concrete, metal, and graffiti removal); includes advisory consultation and execution for building owners, architects, and property managers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 35,000 m² cleaned and environmentally remediated in 4 weeks on Carlsberg Ny Tappehal CB8 project.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fasadgruppen Group ABcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021In 2021, Cortex Facaderens was sold to the Swedish company Fasadgruppen Group AB. This acquisition placed Cortex Facaderens on a solid foundation regarding economics, competencies, development, and capacity. The parent company provides strategic backing and resources for continued growth.
• All-Tech ApScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll-Tech ApS is a separately operated company providing equipment rental, maintenance and repair of high-pressure systems, compressors, and facade cleaning equipment. It also builds and mounts trailer and mobile high-pressure systems. Founded in mid-1990s to serve Cortex's internal equipment needs, it now also serves external customers. Currently operated by Henning Clausen. Cortex's parent company Fasadgruppen Group AB also owns All-Tech as part of the group structure.
• Slots- og Kulturstyrelsen (Danish Agency for Culture and Palaces)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed among 250+ collaboration partners. Government agency responsible for historic buildings in Denmark, potentially a client or institutional partner for heritage restoration projects.
• Bygningsstyrelsen (Danish Building and Property Agency)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed among 250+ collaboration partners. Government agency managing public buildings in Denmark, potentially a client for government building restoration projects.
• Statens Serum InstitutminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed among 250+ collaboration partners. Government health institution, likely a client for building facade maintenance.
• Københavns Universitet (University of Copenhagen)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed among 250+ collaboration partners. University potentially engaging Cortex for facade maintenance on its historic campus buildings.
• Copenhagen Business SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed among 250+ collaboration partners. Business school potentially engaging Cortex for facade maintenance.
• Bavarian NordicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed among 250+ collaboration partners. Pharmaceutical company potentially engaging Cortex for facility facade work.
• Det Kongelige Bibliotek (Royal Library)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed among 250+ collaboration partners. Government cultural institution potentially engaging Cortex for historic building restoration.
• Danmarks Nationalbank (National Bank of Denmark)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed among 250+ collaboration partners. Government financial institution potentially engaging Cortex for facade maintenance on its historic building.
• Christiansborg (Danish Parliament Building)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed among 250+ collaboration partners. The Danish Parliament building, a landmark heritage building where Cortex has reportedly worked.
• Major Construction Companies (Hovedstadens Bygningsentreprise A/S, CH Byg A/S, MT Højgaard A/S, Enemærke & Petersen A/S, CG Jensen A/S, Hoffmann-byg, Jorton A/S, and 240+ others)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorA network of 250+ named construction companies, specialized trades (masons, painters, carpenters), and property management companies listed as collaboration partners. These companies serve as both referral sources and main contractors on projects where Cortex is engaged as a specialist subcontractor. Partners include Hovedstadens Bygningsentreprise A/S, CH Byg A/S, Hansen & Graversen A/S, MT Højgaard A/S, Enemærke & Petersen A/S, CG Jensen A/S, Hoffmann-byg, Jorton A/S, and many others.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Bell Group: Bell Group is a UK-based provider of external facade cleaning, restoration, and maintenance services to commercial, public, and heritage buildings. It is directly comparable to Cortex for offering multiple cleaning methods (DOFF, TORC, JOS-compatible systems) and serving landmark clients across the UK.
• Aliva UK: Aliva UK provides facade restoration, cleaning, and conservation services for historic and modern buildings across the UK. It is comparable to Cortex in its specialist-method approach to heritage facades and its reliance on architect-specified engagements on landmark structures.
• Hydro Pressure Cleaning Services: Hydro Pressure Cleaning Services provides high-pressure and ultra-high-pressure industrial cleaning services for buildings, tanks, and infrastructure across Northern Europe. It is comparable to Cortex as a direct peer in the high-pressure facade and industrial cleaning space, though with a broader industrial end-market mix.

Broad incumbents

• Sika: Sika is a global specialty chemicals company offering concrete repair, facade refurbishment, and protective coating systems for buildings and infrastructure. It is comparable to Cortex as a broad incumbent in the building restoration value chain, providing solutions often specified alongside facade cleaning services.
• Mapei: Mapei is a global manufacturer of construction chemicals, including facade restoration, surface cleaning, and protective coating systems used on historic and modern buildings. It is comparable as a broad incumbent whose product portfolio overlaps with the cleaning/restoration ecosystem Cortex operates in, though Mapei supplies products rather than direct services.
• Saint-Gobain Weber: Saint-Gobain Weber is a major European producer of facade systems, renders, and renovation mortars used in heritage and modern building restoration. It is comparable as a broad incumbent supplying complementary products and systems that are often used in conjunction with specialist facade cleaning services like Cortex's.

Emerging players

• Cintec International: Cintec International is a specialist in structural anchoring and masonry reinforcement systems for historic building restoration. It is comparable as a niche emerging player focused on heritage and listed-building structural preservation, intersecting with Cortex's restoration client base on landmark projects.
• Restorative Techniques: Restorative Techniques is a UK specialist in facade and masonry restoration using advanced cleaning methods including JOS/TORC and laser systems. It is comparable as an emerging specialist with overlapping technology and method portfolio to Cortex's facade cleaning and restoration services.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cortexfacaderens
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cortex-facaderens

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 Cortex Facaderens & Membran