NANO-X GmbH (founded in 1999 by a chemist and an electrical engineer) develops and produces customized materials in the field of chemical nanotechnology with multi-functional properties. Their offerings and services range from innovation consultancy to target-oriented adjustment developments to production and support in the application of the desired coating solutions. A multitude of its new coating materials has been transferred from niche and customized developments to serial production for the mass market.
Application areas include binders and additives as well as ready to use coating materials for corrosion protection, protection against oxide scale formation, anti-fingerprint, Easy-to-Clean, photocatalysis (Catalytic-CleanEffect®), anti-fog and scratch resistance and the focus is largely on industrial customers – providing special surface properties to a variety of materials and objects.
The case describes the foundation and development of a research- and production-oriented startup into a small firm without external financing. It is an example of a spin-out from the public Institut für Neue Materialien gGmbH (Institute of New Materials, INM) in Saarbrücken/Germany based on interdisciplinarity of organic and inorganic chemistry and emphasizes the role of cooperation and networking for its development.