Nanotechnology & Catalysis Research Centre (NANOCAT)

What Nanotechnology & Catalysis Research Centre (NANOCAT) does

NANOCAT (Nanotechnology & Catalysis Research Centre) is a university research centre operating within Universiti Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Established in 2001 (formerly known as COMBICAT), it functions as a Centre of Excellence in catalysis and nanotechnology, holding Potential HiCOE status since 2013 and UMCOE designation since 2012. The centre conducts interdisciplinary research spanning nanomaterials synthesis, green chemistry, electrochemistry, biomass energy, corrosion science, and analytical characterization, served by a multidisciplinary team of professors, associate professors, post-doctoral fellows, and laboratory staff numbering 11-50 in total.

The centre has developed and commercialised four proprietary products leveraging its nanomaterials platform: NanoCAT IronAgro (an iron supplement for crops), NanoCAT IronCoat (a micaceous iron-oxide protective coating pigment for steel), NanoCAT IronMedic (iron-based contrast agents for MRI and magnetic particle imaging), and a 7-in-1 Halal PCR Kit enabling simultaneous identification of seven meat species in processed food. Underpinning these products is access to advanced analytical infrastructure including field-emission scanning electron microscopes, X-ray diffraction, BET analysis, multiple spectroscopy platforms, chemical reactors, and thermal analysis equipment.

NANOCAT operates a hybrid revenue model combining fee-based technical and analytical services (priced per test/sample with a published 2026 price list), commercial product sales via direct enquiry, postgraduate program tuition (MPhil/PhD and Master of Applied Sciences in Nanotechnology), and research grants from government agencies (MOSTI, MOHE) and international bodies such as the Royal Society of Chemistry. Customer segments span postgraduate students, external academic researchers, and industrial partners including Petronas, Hartalega, and Oleon. Marketing and outreach are conducted primarily through conferences (MICNC, SBRSCE), workshops, and the centre's website.

Name

Nanotechnology & Catalysis Research Centre (NANOCAT)

Legal name

Nanotechnology & Catalysis Research Centre (NANOCAT), Universiti Malaya

Website

https://nanocat.um.edu.my

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NANOCAT is a Universiti Malaya Centre of Excellence conducting interdisciplinary nanotechnology and catalysis research, offering postgraduate programs, fee-based analytical testing services, and commercialised nanomaterial products (IronAgro, IronCoat, IronMedic, Halal PCR Kit) to students, researchers, and industrial partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur

HQ country

Malaysia

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Technical Services: Fee-based analytical and testing services using centre facilities including spectroscopy, microscopy, chromatography, and thermal analysis equipment.
2. Commercialized Products: Sale of developed products including NanoCAT IronAgro, NanoCAT IronCoat, NanoCAT IronMedic, and 7-in-1 Halal PCR Kit.
3. Research Grants: Funding from government agencies including MOSTI, MOHE, and international research collaboration grants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

NANOCAT is a university research centre that conducts interdisciplinary nanotechnology and catalysis research, delivers fee-based analytical and characterization technical services using advanced instrumentation, runs a Master of Applied Sciences (Nanotechnology) postgraduate program, and commercializes a small set of proprietary research-derived products (NanoCAT IronAgro plant supplement, NanoCAT IronCoat protective pigment, NanoCAT IronMedic MRI/MPI contrast agents, and a 7-in-1 Halal PCR Kit for meat species authentication). It serves industrial partners, academic researchers, and postgraduate students through research collaboration, testing services, and training.

Product overview

NANOCAT is a research center at Universiti Malaya offering a portfolio of nanotechnology products including three NanoCAT branded offerings: NanoCAT IronAgro (plant iron supplement), NanoCAT IronCoat (industrial coating pigment), and NanoCAT IronMedic (medical contrast agents), plus a 7-in-1 Halal PCR Kit for meat species authentication. These products leverage advanced nanomaterials and catalysis technology developed through research activities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Technical Analytical Testing Services Fee-based analytical and characterization services using NANOCAT's advanced instrumentation including field emission scanning electron microscopes, X-ray diffraction, BET surface analysis, various spectroscopies, chemical reactors, and thermal analysis methods. Services are available to external academic researchers and industrial customers with per-test/sample unit pricing.
• Master of Applied Sciences (Nanotechnology) Postgraduate Program Postgraduate degree program (MPhil and PhD) at Universiti Malaya covering nanotechnology and catalysis research, designed for students pursuing advanced research careers in nanomaterials, catalysis, and related interdisciplinary fields.
• NanoCAT IronAgro Innovative plant iron supplement with enhanced Fe-ion bioavailability for higher absorption through foliar and root applications with minimal loss. Designed for the agriculture industry to address crop iron nutrition.
• NanoCAT IronCoat Paint iron pigment with micaceous iron oxide used as protective coating on steel structures, and polymer coating with metal and magnetic properties. Targeted at the steel structures and manufacturing industries.
• NanoCAT IronMedic Contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic particle imaging (MPI) applications. Designed for medical facilities and healthcare providers requiring advanced imaging contrast media.
• 7-in-1 Halal PCR Kit Heptaplex PCR assay system for simultaneous identification and differentiation of seven meat species (cow, buffalo, chicken, duck, goat, sheep, and pig) in thermally processed food products. Designed for the halal food industry for meat species authentication and fraud detection.

Quantifiable outcome

• Potential HiCOE status achieved in 2013; Strong grant productivity from 2013-2019

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• PetronascoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Major Malaysian oil and gas company with strong collaboration with NANOCAT in research and development activities related to catalysis and energy.
• HartalegacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Leading nitrile glove manufacturer collaborating with NANOCAT on research initiatives.
• OleoncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Oleochemical company with research collaboration with NANOCAT in catalysis and biotechnology applications.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• ANSTO (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation): Australian government-owned science and technology organization providing research infrastructure, technical services, and industry collaboration. Comparable structure to NANOCAT's government-funded research centre model with commercialization.
• Battelle Memorial Institute: Large US applied science and technology organization operating R&D facilities with industry partnerships and contract services. Comparable as a non-profit applied science enterprise combining grant, contract, and commercialization revenue.
• Fraunhofer Society: Germany's applied research organization running multiple institute-level R&D centres with contract research and industry partnerships. Comparable as a model for non-profit applied science centres operating technical services and commercialization arms.

Others

• Anton Paar: Analytical instrument manufacturer that already collaborates with NANOCAT on DSC workshops. Comparable as an enabler/ecosystem participant providing the equipment NANOCAT uses for technical services.
• Royal Society of Chemistry: UK-based scientific society that has awarded NANOCAT an international research grant. Relevant ecosystem participant and indicator of NANOCAT's standing in the global catalysis community.

Direct peers

• SIRIM Berhad: Malaysian industrial research and standards organization providing testing, certification, and R&D services. Closely comparable on the technical testing services and standards side of NANOCAT's business.
• Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) — Nanotechnology Research Centres: Other Malaysian public university nanotech research groups operating under similar MOSTI/MOHE funding and UM-equivalent structures. Directly comparable in operating model, geography, and mission.
• MIMOS Berhad: Malaysian government-owned applied R&D centre operating under a similar university-adjacent, government-funded model. Highly comparable as a Malaysian national research platform pursuing applied science with industry commercialization ambitions.
• NanoMalaysia Berhad: Malaysian national nanotech commercialization agency. Directly comparable as a Malaysia-anchored nanotech platform bridging research and commercial products.
• Catalysis Research Center (CRC) at various universities: Comparable university-based catalysis research centres (e.g., CRC at Hokkaido University or other global peer institutions) share NANOCAT's academic structure, grant funding model, and industry collaboration approach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=x8J-a3YW2cw
• Facebookweb.facebook.com/nanocat.um
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nanocat

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Nanotechnology & Catalysis Research Centre (NANOCAT)