FunGlass - Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass
FunGlass is a Slovak university research centre within Alexander Dubček University of Trenčín that conducts applied research in functional and surface functionalized glass, bioactive materials, coatings, and additive manufacturing of glass and ceramics for EU funders and industrial partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersTrenčín, Slovakia
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What FunGlass - Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass does
FunGlass - Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass is a non-profit university research centre embedded in Alexander Dubček University of Trenčín (TnUAD) in Slovakia, established in 2017 through the EU Horizon 2020 Teaming project (grant agreement No. 739566). It is one of few European centres exclusively dedicated to functional and surface functionalized glass, operating 6 research departments (Biomaterials, Coating Processes, Functional Materials, Glass Analytics, Glass Processing, and the Joint Glass Centre Vitrum Laugaricio) plus 2 administration departments, with a team of roughly 80-85 researchers, technicians, PhD students, and innovation specialists drawn from 16 countries and housed in €9M of new laboratory infrastructure inaugurated in 2022. Its research spans bioactive glasses, glass-ceramics, luminescent and high-entropy materials, anti-bacterial and corrosion-resistant coatings, photocatalytic materials, AZO thin films for hydrogen sensing, and additive manufacturing of glass and ceramics (SLA, DIW, FDM, binder jetting).
The centre monetises primarily through EU and national research grants - notably the original Horizon 2020 Teaming award and an ongoing portfolio of Horizon Europe projects (GlaCerHub No. 101087154, CLiCAM, EverGlass, BiCeps) - supplemented by Slovak Recovery and Resilience Plan funds, VEGA and APVV national grants, and collaborative contract research with industrial partners including AGC, Lithoz, Treibacher, RONA, John Manville Slovakia, Vetropack, Stevanato Group, and TIMM Slovakia. It serves a dual customer base: (a) European and national funding bodies that require impactful research output, dissemination, and technology readiness advancement, and (b) industrial players in glass manufacturing, ceramics, pharma packaging, and increasingly marine/fibre materials seeking applied research, technology transfer, and characterisation services. It does not sell commercial products and has no product pricing model; its "go-to-market" is academic dissemination via peer-reviewed publications, conferences (ECerS, CIMTEC, ISNOG, Ceramitec), EU project dissemination, MSCA fellowship recruitment, and direct industrial collaboration agreements.
The institution is governed by Director Prof. Dušan Galusek with department heads, a Scientific Board, Industrial Board, and International Advisory Board, and benefits from core academic partnerships with FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, CSIC Madrid, University of Padova, and CEITEC Brno for PhD co-supervision and joint research. It has filed and obtained granted European and Slovak patents on eutectic ceramic composites (Al2O3-Al3Y5O12-ZrO2), reflecting an emerging pipeline of proprietary process IP alongside its open-access publication strategy.
FunGlass - Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- FunGlass - Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass
- Legal name
- FunGlass - Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass
- Website
- https://funglass.eu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- FunGlass is a Slovak university research centre within Alexander Dubček University of Trenčín that conducts applied research in functional and surface functionalized glass, bioactive materials, coatings, and additive manufacturing of glass and ceramics for EU funders and industrial partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
FunGlass - Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Glass and Ceramic Materials Research
- NAICS
- Glass and Glass Product Manufacturing (32721)
- SIC
- Glass Products, Made Of Purchased Glass (3231)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Glass Fabrication & Processing Services (Cutting/Edging/Drilling/Polishing) (IMADAHAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Low‑E, Solar Control & Energy-Efficient Coated Glass (IMADAHAF)
Keywords
Where FunGlass - Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Trenčín
- HQ country
- Slovakia
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
FunGlass - Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- EU Research Grant Funding: Primary funding from European Union research and innovation programmes including Horizon 2020 (grant agreement No. 739566 for the FunGlass Teaming project) and Horizon Europe projects (GlaCerHub, CLiCAM, EverGlass, BiCeps). The centre was established through the Horizon 2020 Teaming project (2017-2024) and continues to receive EU funding through multiple Horizon Europe projects.
- National Research Grants: Funding from Slovak national research agencies including Slovak Recovery Plan, VEGA grants, APVV grants, and Structural Funds (ERDF).
- Industry Collaboration and Contract Research: Collaborative research and technology transfer services provided to industrial partners including AGC, Lithoz, Treibacher, RONA a.s., John Manville Slovakia, Vetropack a.s., and Stevanato Group.
- MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship Hosting: The centre hosts MSCA Postdoctoral Fellows, providing a 2+2 year contract structure funded from MSCA grants plus institutional resources, demonstrating capacity for receiving EU research mobility funding.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
FunGlass - Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass product offering
Product offeringCore offering
FunGlass is a university research centre of excellence that conducts applied research and contract research on functional and surface functionalized glass materials. It provides technology transfer services to industrial partners, runs a doctoral programme in materials science, and offers laboratory analytical capabilities across biomaterials, coating processes, functional materials, glass processing, and additive manufacturing of glass and ceramics.
Product overview
FunGlass is a research centre of excellence focused on functional and surface functionalized glass materials. Rather than a traditional product company, it operates as an academic research institution conducting applied research across multiple domains including biomaterials, coating processes, functional materials, glass analytics, and glass processing. The centre offers PhD programs, organizes scientific events and workshops, and collaborates with industrial partners on glass and ceramic material development. Its research activities span bioactive glasses for biomedical applications, advanced coatings, luminescent materials, additive manufacturing of glass/ceramics, and sustainable glass recycling technologies.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Applied Research and Contract Research Services Collaborative applied research and contract research services for industrial partners in glass, ceramics, and advanced materials development, including technology transfer. Services are provided to companies such as AGC, Lithoz, Treibacher, RONA, John Manville Slovakia, Vetropack, and Stevanato Group.
- PhD Programme in Inorganic Technology and Materials Doctoral programme in materials science offered at Alexander Dubček University of Trenčín, with double-degree options, international mobility, and joint supervision with partner institutions including FAU Erlangen and University of Padova.
- Analytical Laboratory Services Laboratory analyses and characterization services for materials including structural, thermal, and surface-related characteristics of glass, ceramic, polymer, and fiber-based materials. Provided through the Department of Glass Analytics and central laboratories.
- MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship Hosting Programme Two-plus-two year postdoctoral fellowship hosting programme funded by Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) grants plus institutional resources, with internal call deadline of 3 June 2026.
- FunGlass School and Scientific Training Events Annual FunGlass School and scientific training events, workshops, and guest lectures held for the research community, with venues including Hotel Magnólia in Piešťany. Includes Biomaterials Research Day and specialized workshops.
Quantifiable outcome
- 8YSZ self-supported electrolytes achieved 94% relative density, 442-477 MPa flexural strength, stable ionic conductivity 2-2.5 S/m at 750°C for SOFC applications
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use FunGlass - Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
FunGlass - Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
FunGlass - Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- TIMM Slovakia s.r.o.minorFunGlass established a new professional collaboration with TIMM Slovakia s.r.o., a subsidiary of the Norwegian Wilhelmsen group company. The joint activities focused on advancing understanding of selected polymer and fiber-based materials, with laboratory analyses examining structural, thermal, and surface-related characteristics. Both parties consider the outcomes a solid foundation for future joint activities.
- Xi'an Institute of Optics and Precision Mechanics (XIOPM), Chinese Academy of SciencesminorXIOPM researchers (Prof. Jiangbo She, Prof. Baoli Yao, Prof. Yuxi Fu) visited FunGlass on 20 May 2026 and delivered three specialized lectures on optical materials, ultrafast laser technologies, photonics, and attosecond science, strengthening international scientific collaboration.
- PMC–Ouest Coating (France)minorAssoc. Prof. Amirhossein Pakseresht began a three-month industrial collaboration with PMG–Ouest Coating in Saint-Nazaire, France, as part of the CLICAM project, focusing on development of anti-sticking plasma-sprayed ceramic coatings.
- ACTALIA (France)coreACTALIA hosted the EverGlass project consortium meeting on 20-21 May 2026 in Saint-Lô, France. The project enters its final phase with completion scheduled for December 2026.
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR)minorHZDR hosted the 2nd RIANA Training School from 1-4 June 2026, providing advanced training in nanoscience and nanotechnology with focus on ion beam-based techniques. FunGlass researchers Avnee Chauhan and Mir Saeed Sajjadi participated.
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU)coreFAU Erlangen-Nürnberg is a key academic partner of FunGlass, providing mentorship and expertise particularly through Prof. Aldo R. Boccaccini (Head of the Institute of Biomaterials, member of the FunGlass Scientific Board). The partnership involves joint supervision of PhD students, researcher exchanges, collaborative research projects, and co-authorship of publications in biomaterials and glass science.
- Friedrich-Schiller-Universität JenacoreUniversity of Jena is a long-standing academic partner, with research collaboration in glass analytics, spectroscopy, and materials characterisation. Prof. Lothar Wondraczek from FSU Jena co-authors FunGlass publications.
- Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) - Instituto de Cerámica y VidriocoreCSIC Madrid, through its Institute of Ceramic and Glass, collaborates with FunGlass on advanced ceramic and glass materials research, including joint publications and researcher exchanges.
- Università degli Studi di Padova (University of Padova)coreUniversity of Padova, through the Department of Industrial Engineering and CerAMglass research group, is a key partner led by Prof. Enrico Bernardo. Joint activities include PhD student co-supervision (Erasmus+ mobility), collaborative publications, and joint research projects on glass-ceramics and additive manufacturing.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
FunGlass - Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- University of Padova - CerAMglass Research Group: Italian university research group led by Prof. Enrico Bernardo specializing in glass-ceramics and additive manufacturing. Active FunGlass partner but also a direct peer in glass-ceramics processing and AM.
- Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research (ISC): German applied-research institute covering silicate, glass and ceramic materials R&D with similar industry-collaboration model. Directly comparable as a European centre of applied glass/ceramics research serving industrial partners.
- CSIC - Instituto de Cerámica y Vidrio (ICV): Spanish national research institute focused on ceramics and glass science. FunGlass already collaborates with ICV, but it is also a direct peer in functional glass and ceramic materials research.
- Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg - Institute of Biomaterials: Academic lab under Prof. Aldo R. Boccaccini focused on bioactive glasses and biomaterials. Directly comparable research portfolio and an existing strategic partner of FunGlass.
Broad incumbents
- SCHOTT AG: Global specialty glass manufacturer with substantial in-house R&D covering pharmaceutical glass, cover glass, and functional glass-ceramics. Comparable as a much larger player operating across overlapping functional glass domains.
- AGC Ceramics Co., Ltd. Japanese-headquartered global glass manufacturer with European operations (AGC Glass Europe) and large R&D footprint. Industry partner of FunGlass while also operating its own functional glass research programmes.
- Corning Incorporated: Major US-based glass and ceramics company with extensive research operations in Gorilla Glass, pharmaceutical vials, optical fibre and ceramic substrates. Overlaps with FunGlass on functional coatings and glass-ceramic innovations at much larger scale.
- Vetropack Holding AG: European glass packaging manufacturer with internal R&D on pharmaceutical glass containers. Direct industry partner of FunGlass but also a broad incumbent whose in-house capabilities compete for research contracts.
Emerging players
- Lithoz GmbH: Austrian specialist in ceramic additive manufacturing systems, partnering with FunGlass on AM research. Comparable as a niche, smaller commercial player in the same advanced ceramics/glass AM ecosystem.
Others
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR): German large-scale research centre covering ion beam and nanoscience techniques. Already co-hosts training schools with FunGlass; comparable as a European public research infrastructure partner rather than a direct competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
FunGlass - Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass social profiles
Digital presenceFunGlass - Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
FunGlass - Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
FunGlass - Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
FunGlass - Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass 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 FunGlass - Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass
What does FunGlass - Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass do?
FunGlass is a university research centre of excellence that conducts applied research and contract research on functional and surface functionalized glass materials. It provides technology transfer services to industrial partners, runs a doctoral programme in materials science, and offers laboratory analytical capabilities across biomaterials, coating processes, functional materials, glass processing, and additive manufacturing of glass and ceramics.
Is FunGlass - Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass a public or private company?
FunGlass - Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was FunGlass - Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass founded?
FunGlass - Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass was founded in 2017. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is FunGlass - Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass based?
FunGlass - Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass is headquartered in Trenčín, Slovakia, in the Europe region.
How does FunGlass - Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. EU Research Grant Funding is the primary driver. The others are national Research Grants, industry Collaboration and Contract Research and MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship Hosting.
Who are FunGlass - Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are University of Padova - CerAMglass Research Group, Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research (ISC), CSIC - Instituto de Cerámica y Vidrio (ICV) and Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg - Institute of Biomaterials. Broad incumbents are SCHOTT AG, AGC Ceramics Co., Ltd., Corning Incorporated and Vetropack Holding AG. Lithoz GmbH is listed as an emerging player. Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) is listed as an others.
Does FunGlass - Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass have an API?
No public API is recorded for FunGlass - Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass.
What industry is FunGlass - Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass in?
FunGlass - Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass's product category is Glass and Ceramic Materials Research. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMADAHAI, Glass Fabrication & Processing Services (Cutting/Edging/Drilling/Polishing), with a secondary code of IMADAHAF, Low‑E, Solar Control & Energy-Efficient Coated Glass. Its NAICS code is 32721 and its SIC code is 3231.