More Time Needed than Originally Planned: “We Are Expecting Our First Customers Next Year”
We talked with Dr. Jürgen Hofinger, CEO of the Dresden-based company.>>
Source: Nanostart Newsletter, October 2011

This year’s International Motor Show (IAA) once again demonstrated the speed with which developments in terms of safety, environmental compatibility and comfort are advancing thanks to nanotechnology. And this applies to both vehicle operation and manufacture. Namos GmbH, a Nanostart portfolio company, is in possession of a technology that can improve the catalytic converter production.

The biotemplating technology you have developed saves valuable precious metals in the production of catalytic converters for cars. How advanced is the technology? When will you start earning money with it?
 
Hofinger: With biotemplating technology, Namos is pursuing a completely new approach to controlling surface processes on the nanometer and micrometer scale. This is where opportunities exist for a leap innovation within a major application such as vehicle catalytic converters, even if this technology has already been steadily optimized over decades. However, the establishment of such a new technology platform is also linked with the challenges of meeting stringent industry requirements.

Reliably, reproducibly and consistently. Although the customer is ultimately unaware of the extreme complexity of the products, we needed more time than originally estimated to gain the full control over the materials during development that is required in order to achieve precisely this reproducibility. The time was well-invested, since we now know all about the various influences and are able to make the concept of saving precious metals visible. As there has been no substantial change in market conditions, we can plan on entering the market with the first customers next year.

Who will be the first users, whom are you negotiating with?
 
Hofinger: One of the greatest strengths of the Namos technology in exhaust catalysis is its compatibility with conventional production processes. We are negotiating with coating companies. These are companies that specialize in coating the porous ceramic honeycomb, which is the core of the catalytic converter, with the precious metals responsible for catalysis. Established coaters can integrate our technology into their production without incurring major investment costs. In view of the volumes involved, large companies can benefit in particular from precious metal savings that are easily achieved.

Nevertheless, we are also increasingly interested in smaller coating companies, as they could enable us to enter the market faster. However, in the past we were required to do our homework in the development phase. Our customers themselves must become aware of the special savings effects under their own conditions.

Are you already working on further applications for the technology, for example a further development for catalytic converters or applications for other sectors? Are you also already working on other technologies?
 
Hofinger: A small company like Namos needs a strong focus at all times so as not to lose sight of its goals. This is particularly true with regard to technologies that are to become established in large markets, such as vehicle exhaust gas catalysis.

We have expertise in two areas. First, in using modern molecular biology for technology, a segment in which we regard ourselves as pioneers. Second, in developing catalytic converter technology for gases and liquids. There are new developments in both areas of expertise which we are already evaluating with potential customers at this early stage and which are already extremely promising.

Thank you very much Dr. Hofinger.