ARKTIS RADIATION DETECTORS AG

Their core work

Arktis Radiation Detectors AG is a Swiss technology SME that designs and manufactures radiation detection instruments for security applications. Their detectors are deployed in scenarios where identifying radiological and nuclear threats matters — from CBRN emergency response by first responders to automated scanning of freight at border crossings. In the ENTRANCE project they contributed non-intrusive inspection (NII) capabilities that allow customs authorities to screen cargo for threats without stopping the flow of trade. Their value is in translating detector hardware into operational security systems that work under real-world time and throughput constraints.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Arktis entered H2020 focused on emergency response — their first project TERRIFFIC (2018) put detection tools directly into the hands of first responders dealing with CBRN incidents in the field. Their second project ENTRANCE (2020) shifted toward preventive, infrastructure-level security: automated scanning of freight at border crossings before threats enter the country. This reflects a move from reactive crisis tools toward proactive, high-throughput inspection systems integrated into customs workflows.

Arktis is moving from emergency-response instruments toward scalable, automated inspection infrastructure — a direction that aligns with growing EU investment in smart border management and supply chain security.

How they like to work

Arktis has both led (TERRIFFIC, coordinator) and joined (ENTRANCE, participant) projects, showing flexibility across consortium roles. With 26 unique partners across 10 countries from just 2 projects, they work in medium-to-large consortia and appear to engage with a broad network rather than relying on repeat partners. This suggests they are sought out as a specialist hardware contributor that fits into diverse security-focused consortia.

Arktis has built a network of 26 unique partners spanning 10 countries across just two projects, indicating active engagement in multi-partner European security consortia. No strong geographic concentration is evident from the data, suggesting broad European reach with Switzerland as home base.

What sets them apart

Arktis occupies a rare niche as a private SME that both builds radiation detectors and integrates them into operational security systems — combining hardware expertise with system-level application in a field often dominated by large defense primes. Their willingness to coordinate EU projects (not just participate) signals they can manage technical consortia, which is unusual for a company of their size. For consortium builders, they offer detector technology that is already validated in funded EU security research contexts.

Highlights from their portfolio

• TERRIFFIC
  Arktis served as project coordinator — notable because small radiation-detector SMEs rarely lead EU security research consortia, indicating strong technical leadership capacity.
• ENTRANCE
  Largest funding award (EUR 757,609) and the source of all documented technical keywords, making it the clearest evidence of Arktis's current capabilities in NII and automated threat detection for customs.