IonKraft GmbH, an Aachen-based startup specializing in plasma-based barrier coatings, has raised €3.5 million in a financing round co-led by M Ventures and TechVision Fund, aimed at scaling production and preparing for market entry in the sustainable packaging industry.

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Aachen-based startup IonKraft GmbH, a spin-off of RWTH Aachen University, has secured €3.5 million in its first equity financing round. This round was co-led by M Ventures, the strategic investment fund of Merck, and TechVision Fund, with financial participation from High-Tech-Gründerfonds. IonKraft specializes in the development of innovative plasma-based barrier coatings aimed at replacing non-recyclable barrier solutions, thereby contributing to a fully circular economy in the packaging industry. The new capital will facilitate preparations for market entry and the scaling of production capabilities.

Founded in 2021 by Dr. Montgomery Jaritz and Benedikt Heuer, IonKraft capitalized on research from the Institute of Plastics Processing, where a significant market opportunity for plasma coatings was identified. Their patented technology yields high-barrier packaging that is both chemically resistant and fully recyclable, presenting a viable alternative to conventional multilayer or fluorinated (PFAS) packaging.

Industry Overview in Germany

The packaging industry in Germany is undergoing significant transformation, driven by increasing environmental considerations and regulatory pressures concerning waste and recyclability. Recent legislation has emphasized the importa