Although nanotechnology is one of the latest developments in the technology sector and many countries believe in its future prospects to revolutionize many industries. Below you can find how developed this industry is in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, and Turkey.
Nanotechnology in the Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is one of the world’s incubators of nanotechnologies. Approximately four dozen companies and several scientific workplaces work with them according to the Association of the Nanotechnology Industry of the Czech Republic. To attract foreign investors, the Czech government tries to establish the Czech Republic as a “nano-country” and invest money in innovations and nanotechnology. The country tries to support Universities and innovation centres and attract young people to study nanotechnologies as well.
The nanotechnological map of the Czech Republic has expanded at least to 8 regional research centres over the last 5 years, which are more or less engaged in applied nanotechnology research.
In 2003, the Technical University of Liberec developed the world’s first technology to allow the industrial production of nanofibrous nonwovens.
Their research was supported by the EU Structural Funds and the state budget of the Czech Republic for a total amount of EUR 170 million. Czech research and development recorded a dynamic increase in recent years as well. Expenditure on this area reached 85.1 billion over the last years. This is almost 10% more year-on-year. The R & D intensity, i.e. the share of these expenditures in GDP, was above the EU average and, above all, reached 2%. In terms of regions; the most successful is the South Moravian region.
Artekya as a best-case practice
Artekya is a successful Turkish nanotechnology company that recently expanded to the Czech Republic. The company was founded in 2005 by the 3 passionate entrepreneurs who were part of a nanotechnology research group at the Istanbul Technical University. Since then, Artekya has been developing nanotechnology handling products under its brand name Nasiol. The company’s products consist of different liquid chemical nanocoatings surface for materials such as glass, metal, textile, ceramics, and woods using nanotechnology.
In 2018, with the assistance of Yeye Agency, Artekya had successfully expanded its business to Czechia and started its operation on the European market. Today, Artekya is successfully running its business in the Czech Republic and sells its products to many countries around the world. Read more here.
Nanotechnology in Slovakia
Slovakia doesn’t have a developed nanotechnology industry. However, in the recent 5 years, there were high-scale improvements in terms of projects and patents in nanoscience.
In 2015, The Centre for Nano-diagnostics at Slovak University of Technology was created as a part of “Science City Bratislava”, the University Science Park project. The project has helped to renovate and modernise various university buildings and laboratories and creates centres for scientific excellence. In total, there were 2 parks created which received 42 million euro investments from the EU funds; (Operational Programme for Research and Development) as well as some funding from the government and STU budgets.
The reason for creating the centre was to cooperate with other scientific teams at universities and the Slovak Academy of Sciences, and private companies that focus on R&D in nanotechnology.
The new centre for Nano-diagnostics has new devices and equipment which enables the study of the structure of materials at the atomic level (smaller than a human hair).
The centre is the first laboratory in Slovakia that has an atomic resolution analytical transmission electron microscope with such parameters. The main advantage of the device, in addition to the extremely high resolution, is a combination of top-class complementing devices.
Nanotechnology in Germany
German companies manufacture products in the areas of nanomaterials, nanotools, nano analytics, and nanotools accessories (e.g. vacuum and cleanroom technology, plasma sources, etc.). They also manufacture and utilize nano-optimized components and systems, and they provide services in the areas of consulting, contract coating, technology transfer, and commissioned analysis and research.
The Nanotechnology industry is mainly funded by (BMBF) – The Germany Federal Ministry of Education through various projects. The Government set three action plans since 2010 to boost competitiveness and support German manufacturers and distributors.
Today, there are over 700 research institutions and groups that focus on nanotechnology, particularly in nanomaterials.
Nanotechnology companies in Germany
Altogether there are 153 companies in Germany with a nanotechnology focus.
There are also many universities research programs and non-profit organisations focusing on nanotechnological enhancement
Nanotechnology in Turkey
Turkey also acknowledges the future prospects of nanotechnology and is taking more steps to become competitive in this sector. For this reason, the Science Centers Foundation was established. The Foundation offers various workshops and projects for young people to create public interest in the sector. The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) included Nanotechnology development into its 2023 Vision Program. Equally important, some of the leading universities in Turkey have created Nanotechnology centers that research the scope of this sector in Turkey. In general, there are 8 university and college research labs in Turkey with a nanotechnology focus. For example, Bilkent University has established The International Nanotechnology Research Center (UNAM) that strongly focuses on developing the sector in Turkey. The center was awarded 28 million Turkish Lira from the National Planning Organisation (DPT) in order to purchase the latest nanotechnology equipment and machinery.
In total, there are 6 companies in Turkey with a nanotechnology focus.
Comparison
Nanotechnology – comparison between countries
Out of all the countries, Germany has the most advanced Nanotechnology industry. It is followed by the Czech Republic. In general, all countries started to focus on developing the sector in recent years by investing more money and creating relations among the research institutes and private companies.
| Criteria | Czechia | Slovakia | Germany | Turkey |
| Nano-companies | 16 | 6 | 153 | 6 |
| Research institutions | 8 | 3 | 86 | 8 |
| Comparison | Developed | Underdeveloped | Advanced | Underdeveloped |
If you are a nanotechnology importer/producer who would like to expand to new markets outside of the EU such as Turkey, or you have a company in Turkey and you would like to expand to the EU market, YeYe Agency could assist you in your goal. We can support you at any stage of your expansion process from doing market research to recruitment. Visit our services page for more information.
