CYNORA GMBH

Their core work

CYNORA is a German SME specializing in the development of organic light-emitting materials for OLED displays and lighting. Their core work centers on designing heavy-metal-free fluorescent emitters — particularly using thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) technology — as replacements for costly and scarce iridium-based phosphorescent materials. Across their H2020 portfolio, they contributed materials science expertise to projects tackling OLED efficiency, stability, and cost reduction. Their participation spans from applied OLED lighting (LEO) to fundamental emitter physics (MOSTOPHOS, EXCILIGHT) and next-generation metal-free emitters (MEGA).

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

CYNORA's early H2020 work (2015–2018) focused on improving existing OLED technology — optimizing phosphorescent device stability (MOSTOPHOS) and reducing costs for OLED lighting (LEO). By 2019, their focus shifted decisively toward next-generation heavy-metal-free emitters using TADF and exciplex chemistry (MEGA), moving away from incremental improvements to a fundamentally different materials platform. This mirrors an industry-wide push to eliminate expensive rare-metal compounds from OLED production.

CYNORA is moving toward sustainable, heavy-metal-free organic emitters — positioning them for partners seeking rare-material-independent OLED and organic laser solutions.

How they like to work

CYNORA consistently participates as a partner rather than leading consortia — they joined all four projects as participant or third party, never as coordinator. With 43 unique partners across 17 countries, they engage in broad European networks rather than repeating with the same groups. This profile suggests a specialist materials company that brings deep technical know-how to collaborative R&D without seeking the administrative overhead of project coordination.

CYNORA has collaborated with 43 distinct partners across 17 countries, indicating a wide-reaching European network built through MSCA mobility programs and multi-partner RIA consortia. Their connections span academic and industrial OLED research communities across Western and Eastern Europe.

What sets them apart

CYNORA occupies a specific niche as an SME developing proprietary TADF emitter materials — sitting between university research labs and large display manufacturers. Unlike academic partners who publish fundamental research, CYNORA focuses on translating organic emitter chemistry into manufacturable materials. For consortium builders, they offer a rare combination: deep materials science expertise with a commercial product development perspective, particularly valuable in projects needing an industry partner with real skin in the OLED game.

Highlights from their portfolio

• LEO
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 450,000), focused on the practical goal of low-cost energy-efficient OLEDs for lighting — their most application-oriented project.
• MEGA
  Most recent project (2019–2023) and clearest signal of their strategic direction toward heavy-metal-free emitters, organic lasers, and TADF technology.
• EXCILIGHT
  MSCA-RISE project on donor-acceptor exciplex materials — indicates deep involvement in researcher mobility and fundamental emitter science networks.