Heraeus Precious Metals GmbH & Co. KG

Their core work

Heraeus is a major German technology group specializing in precious metals, advanced materials, and sensors. Within H2020, they contribute materials science and manufacturing expertise to projects developing organic electronics for medical and imaging applications — from X-ray detector materials (LORIX) to cardiac electrode leads (AXONE) and organic biosensors (BORGES). Their role is that of an industrial materials supplier and process partner, bridging the gap between laboratory-scale organic electronic materials and commercially viable device manufacturing.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Heraeus entered H2020 with hardware-oriented projects — X-ray imaging sensors (LORIX, 2015) and cardiac electrode technology (AXONE, 2017) — where their role was likely supplying specialized materials and metal components. By 2019, with BORGES, their focus shifted clearly toward organic electronics, biosensing, and flexible/wearable devices, suggesting a strategic move from traditional precious metal products into advanced functional materials. This trajectory shows a company pivoting from established metal-based technologies toward organic and printed electronics for life science applications.

Heraeus is moving from traditional materials supply toward organic and printed electronics for biosensing and wearable health monitoring — a growth area where their materials expertise meets life sciences demand.

How they like to work

Heraeus has never coordinated an H2020 project, consistently joining as a participant or third party — the profile of a large industrial company contributing specialized materials and manufacturing know-how rather than driving research agendas. With 28 unique partners across 10 countries from just 3 projects, they operate in large, diverse consortia typical of Innovation Actions and Marie Curie training networks. This makes them a reliable industrial partner who brings production-readiness and commercial perspective to academic-led research.

Despite only 3 projects, Heraeus has built connections with 28 unique partners across 10 countries, reflecting their participation in large multi-partner consortia. Their network spans a broad European footprint rather than concentrating in any single region.

What sets them apart

Heraeus brings something rare to research consortia: the materials science and manufacturing infrastructure of a global precious metals company, combined with growing expertise in organic and printed electronics. For consortium builders, they offer a direct path from laboratory prototypes to industrial-scale production — few partners can match their combination of advanced materials knowledge, quality systems, and manufacturing capacity. Their involvement signals commercial viability and technology readiness to evaluators and investors alike.

Highlights from their portfolio

• AXONE
  Largest EC contribution (EUR 537,688) targeting commercial cardiac electrode technology — directly at the medical device market with clear revenue potential.
• BORGES
  Marie Curie training network on biosensing with organic electronics — positions Heraeus at the intersection of organic semiconductors, immunosensors, and wearable health tech.
• LORIX
  Early entry into organic electronics via large-area X-ray imaging — established Heraeus as a materials partner for organic semiconductor devices.