From Lab to Market: How Antacon is Transforming Industrial Coatings

Imagine a material so hard it rivals diamond, yet flexible enough to withstand the most demanding industrial applications.

This is the breakthrough technology behind Antacon, a German startup that is revolutionising the world of diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings. Co-founded by three engineers – Hagen Grüttner, David Haldan, and Johannes Maus – the company has developed an advanced coating that solves a decades-old problem: creating ultra-hard, mechanically stable DLC layers that can be applied to a wide range of industries.

Antacon’s DLC technology has been a game-changer in several industries, particularly in metal forming and processing. “We’ve seen incredible results in tool protection,” Hagen says. “In one case, we extended a tool’s lifetime by five times, saving the client thousands of euros.”

Despite their impressive technological achievements, Hagen acknowledges that transitioning from research to commercialisation was not an easy task. 

Hagen candidly shares the challenges the company has faced since its inception, highlighting how the team had to adapt and overcome unexpected obstacles. “We started our project just 18 days before the first lockdown in 2020,” Hagen recalls. “We had to deal with supply chain disruptions, changes in market dynamics – especially in the automotive sector – and even skyrocketing prices for essential resources.”

The automotive industry, once a key focus for Antacon, presented its own set of difficulties. With shifting priorities in the industry, particularly around the transition away from gasoline engines, many automotive companies paused innovation projects. “We had to pivot and expand into other industries like optics, semiconductors, and even medical devices,” Hagen adds. “This shift was necessary, but it taught us a lot about resilience and the importance of adaptability.”

Despite these hurdles, Antacon has continued to push forward, largely due to the strength and unity of its team. “What I’m most proud of is our team’s ability to navigate these challenges together,” Hagen says. “Giving up was never an option. We learned to adapt quickly, whether it was dealing with extended lead times or finding new markets.”

The company’s journey has also been shaped by the support they’ve received from key partners such as EIT Manufacturing. Antacon joined the EIT Manufacturing Accelerate Programme, which provided crucial support in market entry, networking, and refining its business model. 

Through its collaboration with EIT Manufacturing, Antacon has also been able to focus on the bigger picture. Sustainability is a key aspect of their business model, and Hagen believes that their technology aligns well with the growing demand for more sustainable manufacturing practices. “If you only need to replace a tool once instead of five times, you’re not just saving money, you’re also reducing waste and contributing to a more sustainable supply chain,” he explains.

Antacon’s technology has attracted interest from a variety of sectors, including optics, semiconductors, and medical applications. “We’ve already installed a prototype in the Netherlands with ASML, a major player in the semiconductor industry,” Hagen reveals.

Looking forward, Hagen and his team are laser-focused on scaling the business. “By 2025, we aim to have a fully operational business model, including selling our DLC coating units directly to customers. We’re already in discussions with potential strategic investors, and we’re confident that our technology will become the standard for high-end applications worldwide.”