THALESNANO NANOTECHNOLOGIAI KUTATO-FEJLESZTO MUKODO RT

Their core work

ThalesNano is a Hungarian SME specializing in continuous-flow chemistry technology — designing and manufacturing compact reactor systems that enable chemical reactions to run continuously rather than in traditional batch processes. Their core contribution to EU research lies in applying flow reactor expertise to photoredox catalysis, photochemistry, isotopic labeling, and C-H activation chemistry. They serve as an enabling technology partner, providing the flow chemistry hardware and know-how that academic and industrial partners need to scale up advanced chemical processes for pharmaceutical, materials, and energy applications.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

ThalesNano's early H2020 work (2015-2018) centered on photoredox catalysis in continuous-flow systems — essentially proving that their flow reactor technology could handle light-driven chemistry. By 2020-2024, their portfolio expanded significantly into more applied and industrially relevant areas: solar-driven chemical production, C-H activation for drug development and biomass valorization, and isotopic labeling. The shift shows a clear move from foundational flow photochemistry toward diverse high-value chemical manufacturing applications where flow reactors provide a competitive edge.

ThalesNano is broadening from pure photochemistry toward pharma (drug development, isotopic labeling) and green chemistry (biomass, solar chemicals), positioning their flow technology as a general-purpose platform for sustainable chemical manufacturing.

How they like to work

ThalesNano consistently participates as a partner or third party rather than leading consortia — zero coordinator roles across four projects. With 43 unique consortium partners across 17 countries, they operate as a widely connected specialist that different research groups bring in for their flow chemistry hardware and expertise. This pattern suggests they are a reliable technology contributor that integrates well into diverse teams without needing to drive the project agenda.

ThalesNano has built a broad European network spanning 43 unique partners across 17 countries, impressive for an SME with only four projects. This wide reach reflects their role as a sought-after specialist that different consortia recruit for flow chemistry capability.

What sets them apart

ThalesNano occupies a rare niche as a commercial SME that manufactures flow chemistry equipment AND actively participates in frontier research applying that equipment. Most flow chemistry companies either sell hardware or do research — ThalesNano does both, making them an ideal partner when a consortium needs both technology and the know-how to use it. Their Budapest base also makes them one of the few Central European companies with deep expertise in this space, offering cost-effective R&D partnerships.

Highlights from their portfolio

• CHAIR
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 229,715) and the most industrially relevant topic — C-H activation for drug development and biomass valorization bridges pharma and green chemistry.
• FlowPhotoChem
  Combines photocatalysis with flow reactor design for solar chemical production — their most forward-looking project addressing both energy and manufacturing challenges.
• FLIX
  Participation as third party in an isotopic labeling project shows ThalesNano's flow technology is valued even in supporting roles for highly specialized pharmaceutical chemistry.