SENSIRION AG

Their core work

Sensirion AG is a Swiss sensor technology company that develops advanced photonic and gas sensing solutions, with H2020 involvement centered on quantum cascade laser (QCL) spectroscopy in the mid-infrared range. In EU projects, they contribute industrial sensing expertise — specifically applying frequency comb and QCL technology to real-world measurement challenges such as hydrocarbon detection in the oil industry and high-resolution molecular identification. They have acted both as an applied industry partner bringing sensors into photonics-driven platforms and as a coordinator hosting MSCA research fellows working on frontier spectroscopy. Their role bridges laboratory-grade laser physics and deployable industrial sensing systems.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Sensirion entered H2020 as an industry participant in an applied photonics project targeting oil sector process control — the emphasis was firmly on mid-infrared QCL sensing deployed in harsh industrial environments. By the second project, the company had shifted into a coordinator role for frontier molecular spectroscopy research, with dual-comb techniques and high-resolution spectroscopy taking center stage over industrial application. This trajectory suggests Sensirion is investing in deepening its underlying photonic measurement science, likely to build a stronger IP base for next-generation sensor products, rather than simply applying existing technology.

Sensirion is moving up the technology readiness ladder in reverse — from applied industrial sensing toward fundamental spectroscopy research — suggesting a strategic push to own core measurement IP rather than rely on externally developed laser technology.

How they like to work

Sensirion has taken both a participant and a coordinator role across just two projects, reflecting flexibility in how it engages with consortia. As an MSCA fellowship coordinator, it operates as a host institution for a single researcher rather than managing a large consortium, which points to a preference for focused, high-quality scientific partnerships over broad multi-partner networks. This makes them well-suited as a technology anchor partner in small, specialized photonics or sensing consortia where industrial know-how is needed alongside academic research.

Sensirion has worked with 9 unique consortium partners across 5 countries in just two projects, a reasonable spread for a company with limited EU project history. Their geographic reach is European but the data does not reveal repeated partnerships with the same institutions, suggesting they are still building their EU research network.

What sets them apart

Sensirion is unusual among H2020 industrial participants in that it combines commercial sensor manufacturing expertise with active engagement in frontier laser spectroscopy research — a combination rarely found in a single private company. Their willingness to coordinate MSCA fellowships signals genuine R&D ambition, not just project-funding opportunism. For consortium builders, Sensirion offers the credibility of a Swiss deep-tech company with real products, while also bringing photonics IP development capacity that most industrial partners cannot match.

Highlights from their portfolio

• Hydroptics
  The largest project by far (€837,812), it demonstrates Sensirion's ability to translate QCL and frequency comb technology into a deployable photonics sensing platform for one of the most demanding industrial environments — oil and gas process control.
• HiResCombs
  Sensirion's only coordinator role in H2020, and an MSCA Individual Fellowship at that — a strong signal that the company is serious about in-house research capability in dual-comb and high-resolution molecular spectroscopy.