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IonKraft develops plasma-based barrier coatings for plastic packaging to enhance chemical resistance, recyclability, and eliminate PFAS, operating out of Aachen, Germany. Their patented technology provides glass-like barrier effects on mono-material plastics, enabling a circular economy by replacing non-recyclable multi-layer or fluorinated solutions. The company produces and sells coating machines and systems to packaging producers, targeting the chemical product container market. IonKraft closed its first equity funding round of €3.5 million in November 2024, with investments from M Ventures (Merck KGaA), TechVision Fund, and High-Tech-Gründerfonds, to scale production and sales. They received EIC Accelerator funding in 2023 and plan their first industrial coating system deployment by late 2024, with product market launch in 2025. IonKraft was founded in 2021 by Dr. Montgomery Jaritz and Benedikt Heuer.
IonKraft has raised $4.0M across 1 funding round.
IonKraft has raised $4.0M in total across 1 funding round.
IonKraft has raised $4.0M in total across 1 funding round.
IonKraft's investors include M Ventures (Merck).
IonKraft has raised $4.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $4.0M Seed in November 2024.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 1, 2024 | $4M Seed | — | M Ventures | Announced |
IonKraft is a German technology startup founded in 2021 that develops plasma coating technology to make plastic packaging fully recyclable while providing high-barrier protection against gases and liquids.[1][2][3] The company offers its patented IONX nano-coating, applied via fully automated plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) machines, enabling integration into existing production lines for sectors like food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and chemicals.[1][2][5] This solves the recyclability crisis—where only 6% of over 200 million tons of annual global plastic packaging is effectively recycled—by replacing non-recyclable multi-layer plastics and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) alternatives, allowing higher recycled content without compromising protection.[2][3] IonKraft has raised $3.69M in seed funding (last round 6 months ago), achieved early validation with industry partners, and is scaling machine production and team expansion.[1][3]
IonKraft emerged as a spin-off from RWTH Aachen University's Institute of Plastics Processing (IKV) in 2021, founded by Dr. Montgomery Jaritz and Benedikt Heuer.[2][3] Jaritz, with over a decade in plasma and surface technologies, identified the market gap for recyclable high-barrier coatings during his research on plasma reactor design and barrier layer deposition.[2][3] Heuer complements this with engineering and business expertise, focusing on commercialization and partnerships.[2] Funded by Germany's EXIST Research Transfer and the EU's EIC Accelerator, the duo developed their patented technology, achieving early traction through partner validations that demonstrated recyclability and performance comparable to glass.[1][3] A pivotal $3.69M seed round, backed by investors like HTGF, TVF, and M Ventures, marked their market launch preparation.[1][3]
IonKraft rides the circular economy wave in packaging, addressing EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) deadlines for full recyclability and recycled content by 2030 amid global plastic waste scrutiny.[2][3] Timing aligns with PFAS bans and consumer demand for sustainable alternatives, as traditional barriers fail recycling streams—positioning IonKraft to disrupt a market producing 200M+ tons yearly with just 6% effective recycling.[2] Favorable forces include rising regulatory pressure, corporate sustainability goals, and tech advances in plasma processing, enabling it to influence ecosystems by enabling millions of tons of recyclable packaging and setting standards for barrier tech outside mainstream focus areas like food.[3] As a university spin-off, it exemplifies research-to-market transfer, accelerating cleantech adoption in hard-to-abate industries.[2][3]
IonKraft is primed for rapid scaling post-seed, with funds fueling machine production, team growth, and market entry—potentially capturing share in high-barrier packaging as regulations tighten.[1][3] Trends like stricter PFAS rules, recycled content mandates, and circular supply chains will propel demand, evolving its role from innovator to industry standard-setter.[2][3] Expect partnerships with major packagers and expansion into global markets, amplifying impact on plastic waste reduction—transforming a seed-stage spin-off into a sustainability linchpin.[1][2] This positions IonKraft at the forefront of recyclable packaging innovation.
