Spanish SME manufacturing engineered nanoparticles, nano-oxides, and functional coatings for construction, medical, energy, and catalysis applications.
TECNAN is a Spanish SME specializing in the production and application of engineered nanoparticles and nanomaterials for industrial use. They manufacture nano-oxides, nanoparticle-based coatings, and functional nanomaterials that are integrated into products ranging from building insulation panels to 3D-printed catalysts and biomedical devices. Their core capability is translating nanomaterial science into commercially viable components — supplying tailored nanoparticles and surface treatments to consortium partners across energy, construction, medical, and environmental sectors.
Central to nearly all their projects including ZEOCAT-3D (nano-oxides for catalysts), NANOSTACKS (nanoparticle printing), INFINITY (transparent conductive oxides), and NANO-CATHEDRAL (nanomaterials for heritage conservation).
DIMAP (nanoparticle-enhanced digital materials for 3D printing), ZEOCAT-3D (3D-printed zeolite catalysts), NANOSTACKS (nanostack printing), and GIOTTO (3D technologies for biomaterials).
INNOVIP (vacuum insulation panels for buildings) and MEZeroE (envelope products for near-zero energy buildings).
GIOTTO (superparamagnetic nanoparticles and injectable cement for osteoporosis) and SAFE-N-MEDTECH (safety testing for nanotechnology-enabled medical devices).
NANO-CATHEDRAL (conservation coatings for architectural heritage), MAREWIND (anti-corrosion and anti-erosion coatings for offshore wind), and INFINITY (transparent conductive oxide coatings).
ZEOCAT-3D focused on bifunctional hierarchically structured zeolite-based nano-catalysts using 3D technology.
In their early H2020 period (2014–2018), TECNAN focused on applying nanomaterials to physical infrastructure — transparent conductive oxides for glass, conservation nanomaterials for stone heritage, and vacuum insulation panels for buildings. From 2019 onward, their work shifted markedly toward biomedical nanomaterials (superparamagnetic nanoparticles, injectable cements, medical device safety) and advanced manufacturing techniques (3D-printed catalysts, nanostack printing for materials screening). This trajectory shows a company moving from construction-oriented nanomaterials toward higher-value applications in health and smart manufacturing.
TECNAN is diversifying from construction-grade nanomaterials into biomedical and catalytic applications, signaling readiness for health-tech and green chemistry collaborations.
TECNAN operates exclusively as a project participant — they have never coordinated an H2020 project, which is typical for a materials-supply SME that contributes specialized components rather than driving research agendas. With 185 unique partners across 26 countries in 11 projects, they work in large, diverse consortia (averaging ~17 partners per project), bringing their nanomaterial production expertise as a service to multi-disciplinary teams. This makes them a reliable, low-friction partner: they slot into existing consortia as the nanomaterials provider without competing for leadership.
TECNAN has built an extensive European network spanning 185 unique partners across 26 countries, indicating broad reach across the EU research landscape. Their network is notably diverse, reflecting participation in large Innovation Action and Research & Innovation Action consortia across multiple sectors.
TECNAN occupies a rare niche as a nanomaterial production SME that can supply custom nanoparticles, nano-oxides, and functional coatings across vastly different application domains — from building insulation to bone cement to zeolite catalysts. Unlike university labs that develop nanomaterials at bench scale, TECNAN brings manufacturing capability, making them valuable for projects that need to demonstrate scalable production. Their breadth across sectors (energy, construction, medical, environmental) means they can cross-pollinate techniques in ways that single-sector suppliers cannot.
