Nanotechnology
CZECH REPUBLIC
Nanotechnology In the Czech Republic there are no fewer than 26 institutes in the Academy of Sciences plus 37 university faculties and nine state-funded research organisations conducting basic research in various areas of nanoscience. Research of applied nanotechnologies is conducted by at least 15 research-oriented private companies and by 69 manufacturers.
REASONS TO INVEST IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
-- World-class basic nanotechnology research -- Increasing number of research institutions, clusters and private companies working in nanotechnologies -- Excellent research and human-resources potential of Czech small and medium-size enterprises -- Primacy in industrial production of nanofibres with a broad range of applications -- “Nanotechnology for Society”, a special Czech funding programme supporting projects focused on nanotechnology -- Regulatory and patent environment in accordance with EU standards
BASIC FACTS The Czech Republic has a growing interest in the area of nanotechnology, which is evident in the growing number of science institutes, universities and private entities that are dedicating themselves to this field. Most of them operate with unique technologies, achieve remarkable research findings and employee excellent researchers. However, some of them lack sufficient financial resources to implement research findings in the commercial sphere. Such entities would welcome cooperation with strong and prestigious companies and institutions in the form of joint R&D projects or joint ventures.
The Global Nanofibres Gateway (Nafigate.com) is a unique portal created in the Czech Republic. The portal provides information about nanofibres in a number of research fields as well as information concerning the sizes of markets for nanofibre products. The Nanofibres Gateway is accessed by companies and universities from all over the world, and speeds up the introduction of new nanofibre applications while simplifying the process of bringing such applications to fruition. The Czech company Crytur, which produces and exports monocrystalline materials for electron microscopy and lasers, received a USD 80,000 grant from the United States for a joint project with DR Technologies involving the further development of 3D lasers. The Czech government awarded the prestigious “Czech Brain” prize to a team from the company Optaglio, s.r.o., which employs a unique electronlithography technology, for holographic security stamps used on banknotes.
Nanofibre materials have a great potential, market analysts forecast 30 - 40 % growth each year. That is probably the main reason why our corrent costomers order more production lines to meet their customers´demand.
IF R&D IS WHAT YOU NEED
Ladislav Mareš, Elmarco founder
The Czech Republic can boast several success stories in the area of nanotechnology. The most remarkable is primacy in industrial production of nanofibres. In cooperation with the Technical University of Liberec, Elmarco has developed the unique Nanospider technology, which made it possible to manufacture a prototype machine for production of non-woven nanofibre textiles.
NUMBER OF SUBJECTS IN NANOTECHNOLOGY IN THE CR 2005 18 2008 26
Academy of Sciences
13 15
Universities
28 37
Faculties and other workplaces
4% 9
Contributory organisations
9 15
Private research institutions
6% 12
Large enterprises
19 27
Small and medium enterprises
Source: Nanotechnologies in the CR, 2008; CzechInvest, 2009
1949
1985–1992
1993
1995
Czech professor Armin Delong introduces the first electron microscope into production
A range of original works on research of semiconductor colloids
The Grant Agency of the Czech Republic is awarded the first grants supporting nanotechnology research
The term nanotechnology was first officially used in the Czech Republic
PRODUCTION FACILITIES Czech companies and research institutions specialise in the following areas: -- Industrial production of nanofibres and derivatives thereof (Nanospider technology) -- Production of monocrystalline materials for electron microscopy and laser applications -- Electron lithography used mainly for holography applications -- Wound healing, tissue regeneration, targeted delivery of drugs/treatments, gene therapy, instruments for detecting damaged DNA -- Production of laser interferometers for metrology and the machine-tool and microelectronics industries -- Water treatment using iron nanoparticles -- Surface and antibacterial treatments -- Research of nanostructured and cross-linked polymeric materials
INVESTMENT CASE STUDY The company Czech Holography entered the holding company Optaglio, Ltd. in 2000, bringing about the establishment of Optaglio, s.r.o. Since its establishment Optaglio, s.r.o has performed all research and development activities in the area of holography for the entire Optaglio, Ltd. holding company. The Optaglio group operates a network of several permanent offices around the world and supplies products to more than 60 countries. The company is one of the world’s top three providers of document protection (passports, IDs, stamps, etc.) and 70% of its overall production comprises government orders. The company is a member of the International Hologram Manufacturers Association and is currently a holder of several prestigious awards in the field of holography. The Optaglio group’s product portfolio is protected by 18 patents.
R&D CASE STUDY Another success story began with the Czech company Pardam s.r.o. and its project called “Industrial production of Inorganic nanofibres”. In 2011 the company received a grant from the Czech and European governments in the total amount of USD 2.5 million for introduction of industrially produced inorganic nanofibres to the commercial market. The new production facility will be the first of its kind in the world where the development of final applications, new materials and products and industrial production of nanofibrous materials (hundreds of kilograms annually) will be conducted in one place. Pardam is marketing and distributing its products through its exclusive partner, Kertak Nanotechnology. This relationship gives Pardam the unique opportunity to be a global leader in the area of development and production of inorganic nanofibres.
Our company has achieved many significant successes since 2009. Thanks to the marketing and business activities of Kertak Nanotechnology, we are currently testing samples with more than 150 partners globally, developing proprietary applications and new nanofibrous materials. Our participation in CzechAccelerator and Nanotech 2011, to which we were invited by the Japan External Trade Organisation, offers us a great and challenging opportunity to build an entirely new market. Daniel Možíš, CEO of Kertak Nanotechnology
EDUCATION SYSTEM Education in the field of nanotechnology is provided in a range of scientific disciplines, such as physics, chemistry, materials, mathematics and engineering. In the Czech Republic there are fifteen universities performing nanotechnology research and development in addition to their pedagogical activities. The Technical University of Liberec, which holds a worldwide patent for nanofibre production (electrospinning technology), occupies a leading position among the nation’s science and research institutions.
CZECHINVEST’S SERVICES ---------
Full information assistance Tailor-made visits Maximisation of networking capacity Handling of investment incentives Access to EU structural funds Identification of business properties Business infrastructure development Supplier (JV) acquisition-partner identification
2003
2006
2007
2011
Professor Jirsak from the Technical University of Liberec developed a reliable method of spinning fibres measuring 200 nm in diameter
Launching a new programme “Nanotechnology for the Society” with the aim of supporting nanotechnologies in the CR
Company Elmarco became the industry’s first supplier of industrial scale nanofiber production equipment
The 1st Global Nanofibres Gateway (Nafigate.com) was created in the Czech Republic
CZECH REPUBLIC
UNIVERSITIES WITH NANONOTECHNOLOGY FOCUS Source: Nanotechnologies in the CR, 2008; CzechInvest, 2009
LIBEREC Technical University
ÚSTÍ NAD LABEM HRADEC KRÁLOVÉ KARLOVY VARY
PRAGUE OSTRAVA
Czech Technical University Institut of Chemical Technology
PARDUBICE
PLZEŇ
Technical University
OLOMOUC
University
University of West Bohemia
ZLÍN
JIHLAVA
Tomas Bata University
BRNO
University of Technology
ČESKÉ BUDĚJOVICE
TOP NANOTECHNOLOGY PROJECTS ASSISTED BY CZECHINVEST (2008–2012) CZECH REPUBLIC
INTERNATIONAL PARTNER
PROJECT
Technical University of Liberec
Shinshu University, Japan
Signed bilateral Agreement for Academic Cooperation and Exchange in 2011
Crytur Company
Hitachi High Technologies
Established cooperation at international conference Nanotech 2008 Japan
Elmarco company
NAMI-Nano and Advanced Material Institute, hosted by Hong-Kong University
Registered membership
Elmarco company and Technical University of Liberec
Deputy Minister of National Science Council
Workshop at Technical University of Liberec and visit of Elmarco company
Czechinvest and Czech Embassy in Malaysia
Universities, research institutions and nanotechnology companies operating in Malaysian and south-east Asian region
Nanotechnology workshop organised in frame of international conference Nanotech 2008 in Kuala Lumpur
OUTSTANDING QUALITY OF LIFE The Czech Republic boasts extraordinary quality of life The IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook’s Quality of Life Index ranks the country twentieth in the world and first in the CEE region. But one must experience the local cultural heritage, sport facilities and natural beauty to fully appreciate the pleasure of living in the Czech Republic. The country offers a full range of services that are required by expatriates and their families, including multilingual international schools covering all levels from kindergarten to MBA studies, attractive housing, shopping malls and firstclass recreational facilities including over 80 golf courses and 12 UNESCO heritage sites.
CZECHINVEST’S HEADQUARTERS
CZECHINVEST’S WORLDWIDE
CZECH REPUBLIC PHONE: +420 296 342 500 E-MAIL: fdi@czechinvest. org WEB: www.czechinvest.org
JAPAN 03 3486 0329 03 3486 0328 E-MAIL: [email protected] WWW.czechinvest.org/jp PHONE: FAX:
DATE OF ISSUE: January 2012
Nanotechnology In the Czech Republic there are no fewer than 26 institutes in the Academy of Sciences plus 37 university faculties and nine state-funded research organisations conducting basic research in various areas of nanoscience. Research of applied nanotechnologies is conducted by at least 15 research-oriented private companies and by 69 manufacturers.
REASONS TO INVEST IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
-- World-class basic nanotechnology research -- Increasing number of research institutions, clusters and private companies working in nanotechnologies -- Excellent research and human-resources potential of Czech small and medium-size enterprises -- Primacy in industrial production of nanofibres with a broad range of applications -- “Nanotechnology for Society”, a special Czech funding programme supporting projects focused on nanotechnology -- Regulatory and patent environment in accordance with EU standards
BASIC FACTS The Czech Republic has a growing interest in the area of nanotechnology, which is evident in the growing number of science institutes, universities and private entities that are dedicating themselves to this field. Most of them operate with unique technologies, achieve remarkable research findings and employee excellent researchers. However, some of them lack sufficient financial resources to implement research findings in the commercial sphere. Such entities would welcome cooperation with strong and prestigious companies and institutions in the form of joint R&D projects or joint ventures.
The Global Nanofibres Gateway (Nafigate.com) is a unique portal created in the Czech Republic. The portal provides information about nanofibres in a number of research fields as well as information concerning the sizes of markets for nanofibre products. The Nanofibres Gateway is accessed by companies and universities from all over the world, and speeds up the introduction of new nanofibre applications while simplifying the process of bringing such applications to fruition. The Czech company Crytur, which produces and exports monocrystalline materials for electron microscopy and lasers, received a USD 80,000 grant from the United States for a joint project with DR Technologies involving the further development of 3D lasers. The Czech government awarded the prestigious “Czech Brain” prize to a team from the company Optaglio, s.r.o., which employs a unique electronlithography technology, for holographic security stamps used on banknotes.
Nanofibre materials have a great potential, market analysts forecast 30 - 40 % growth each year. That is probably the main reason why our corrent costomers order more production lines to meet their customers´demand.
IF R&D IS WHAT YOU NEED
Ladislav Mareš, Elmarco founder
The Czech Republic can boast several success stories in the area of nanotechnology. The most remarkable is primacy in industrial production of nanofibres. In cooperation with the Technical University of Liberec, Elmarco has developed the unique Nanospider technology, which made it possible to manufacture a prototype machine for production of non-woven nanofibre textiles.
NUMBER OF SUBJECTS IN NANOTECHNOLOGY IN THE CR 2005 18 2008 26
Academy of Sciences
13 15
Universities
28 37
Faculties and other workplaces
4% 9
Contributory organisations
9 15
Private research institutions
6% 12
Large enterprises
19 27
Small and medium enterprises
Source: Nanotechnologies in the CR, 2008; CzechInvest, 2009
1949
1985–1992
1993
1995
Czech professor Armin Delong introduces the first electron microscope into production
A range of original works on research of semiconductor colloids
The Grant Agency of the Czech Republic is awarded the first grants supporting nanotechnology research
The term nanotechnology was first officially used in the Czech Republic
PRODUCTION FACILITIES Czech companies and research institutions specialise in the following areas: -- Industrial production of nanofibres and derivatives thereof (Nanospider technology) -- Production of monocrystalline materials for electron microscopy and laser applications -- Electron lithography used mainly for holography applications -- Wound healing, tissue regeneration, targeted delivery of drugs/treatments, gene therapy, instruments for detecting damaged DNA -- Production of laser interferometers for metrology and the machine-tool and microelectronics industries -- Water treatment using iron nanoparticles -- Surface and antibacterial treatments -- Research of nanostructured and cross-linked polymeric materials
INVESTMENT CASE STUDY The company Czech Holography entered the holding company Optaglio, Ltd. in 2000, bringing about the establishment of Optaglio, s.r.o. Since its establishment Optaglio, s.r.o has performed all research and development activities in the area of holography for the entire Optaglio, Ltd. holding company. The Optaglio group operates a network of several permanent offices around the world and supplies products to more than 60 countries. The company is one of the world’s top three providers of document protection (passports, IDs, stamps, etc.) and 70% of its overall production comprises government orders. The company is a member of the International Hologram Manufacturers Association and is currently a holder of several prestigious awards in the field of holography. The Optaglio group’s product portfolio is protected by 18 patents.
R&D CASE STUDY Another success story began with the Czech company Pardam s.r.o. and its project called “Industrial production of Inorganic nanofibres”. In 2011 the company received a grant from the Czech and European governments in the total amount of USD 2.5 million for introduction of industrially produced inorganic nanofibres to the commercial market. The new production facility will be the first of its kind in the world where the development of final applications, new materials and products and industrial production of nanofibrous materials (hundreds of kilograms annually) will be conducted in one place. Pardam is marketing and distributing its products through its exclusive partner, Kertak Nanotechnology. This relationship gives Pardam the unique opportunity to be a global leader in the area of development and production of inorganic nanofibres.
Our company has achieved many significant successes since 2009. Thanks to the marketing and business activities of Kertak Nanotechnology, we are currently testing samples with more than 150 partners globally, developing proprietary applications and new nanofibrous materials. Our participation in CzechAccelerator and Nanotech 2011, to which we were invited by the Japan External Trade Organisation, offers us a great and challenging opportunity to build an entirely new market. Daniel Možíš, CEO of Kertak Nanotechnology
EDUCATION SYSTEM Education in the field of nanotechnology is provided in a range of scientific disciplines, such as physics, chemistry, materials, mathematics and engineering. In the Czech Republic there are fifteen universities performing nanotechnology research and development in addition to their pedagogical activities. The Technical University of Liberec, which holds a worldwide patent for nanofibre production (electrospinning technology), occupies a leading position among the nation’s science and research institutions.
CZECHINVEST’S SERVICES ---------
Full information assistance Tailor-made visits Maximisation of networking capacity Handling of investment incentives Access to EU structural funds Identification of business properties Business infrastructure development Supplier (JV) acquisition-partner identification
2003
2006
2007
2011
Professor Jirsak from the Technical University of Liberec developed a reliable method of spinning fibres measuring 200 nm in diameter
Launching a new programme “Nanotechnology for the Society” with the aim of supporting nanotechnologies in the CR
Company Elmarco became the industry’s first supplier of industrial scale nanofiber production equipment
The 1st Global Nanofibres Gateway (Nafigate.com) was created in the Czech Republic
CZECH REPUBLIC
UNIVERSITIES WITH NANONOTECHNOLOGY FOCUS Source: Nanotechnologies in the CR, 2008; CzechInvest, 2009
LIBEREC Technical University
ÚSTÍ NAD LABEM HRADEC KRÁLOVÉ KARLOVY VARY
PRAGUE OSTRAVA
Czech Technical University Institut of Chemical Technology
PARDUBICE
PLZEŇ
Technical University
OLOMOUC
University
University of West Bohemia
ZLÍN
JIHLAVA
Tomas Bata University
BRNO
University of Technology
ČESKÉ BUDĚJOVICE
TOP NANOTECHNOLOGY PROJECTS ASSISTED BY CZECHINVEST (2008–2012) CZECH REPUBLIC
INTERNATIONAL PARTNER
PROJECT
Technical University of Liberec
Shinshu University, Japan
Signed bilateral Agreement for Academic Cooperation and Exchange in 2011
Crytur Company
Hitachi High Technologies
Established cooperation at international conference Nanotech 2008 Japan
Elmarco company
NAMI-Nano and Advanced Material Institute, hosted by Hong-Kong University
Registered membership
Elmarco company and Technical University of Liberec
Deputy Minister of National Science Council
Workshop at Technical University of Liberec and visit of Elmarco company
Czechinvest and Czech Embassy in Malaysia
Universities, research institutions and nanotechnology companies operating in Malaysian and south-east Asian region
Nanotechnology workshop organised in frame of international conference Nanotech 2008 in Kuala Lumpur
OUTSTANDING QUALITY OF LIFE The Czech Republic boasts extraordinary quality of life The IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook’s Quality of Life Index ranks the country twentieth in the world and first in the CEE region. But one must experience the local cultural heritage, sport facilities and natural beauty to fully appreciate the pleasure of living in the Czech Republic. The country offers a full range of services that are required by expatriates and their families, including multilingual international schools covering all levels from kindergarten to MBA studies, attractive housing, shopping malls and firstclass recreational facilities including over 80 golf courses and 12 UNESCO heritage sites.
CZECHINVEST’S HEADQUARTERS
CZECHINVEST’S WORLDWIDE
CZECH REPUBLIC PHONE: +420 296 342 500 E-MAIL: fdi@czechinvest. org WEB: www.czechinvest.org
JAPAN 03 3486 0329 03 3486 0328 E-MAIL: [email protected] WWW.czechinvest.org/jp PHONE: FAX:
DATE OF ISSUE: January 2012
