Nabertherm
Industrial thermal processing furnaces for debinding and sintering of additively manufactured metal and ceramic components; recently launched LH..DB compact furnace series designed specifically for AM thermal post-processing at laboratory and production scales.
- CEO / Founder
- Timm Grotheer
- Team Size
- 501-1000
- Stage
- Active
- Total Funding
- Bootstrapped
- Latest Round
- Bootstrapped
Technology & Products
Key Products
LH..DB Series — Compact chamber furnaces for debinding and sintering of additively manufactured metal and ceramic components; High-Temperature Furnaces (up to 1800°C) — For advanced thermal processing; Laboratory Furnaces — For R&D and small-scale AM part development; Thermal Process Plants — Custom systems for large-scale sintering operations; Forced Convection Furnaces — For uniform heating applications; Standard Furnace Range — 800+ models for diverse thermal processing applications
Technological Advantage
CLAIMED: Compact design sets new standards in AM thermal post-processing; flexible atmosphere operation eliminates need for multiple furnaces; precise temperature uniformity and control enables high-density part production with minimal material loss. VERIFIED: Demonstrated capability through recent CERAMITEC 2024 product launch; established market presence with 150,000+ customers globally; 75+ years of furnace engineering expertise; 100% in-house manufacturing enabling customization and rapid iteration.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Reduces AM thermal post-processing lead times and costs through purpose-designed compact furnaces with precise digital control; enables 150,000+ customers across 100+ countries to achieve consistent high-density sintered parts (debinding + sintering) with minimal density loss; flexible atmosphere (air/inert gas) eliminates need for separate equipment; German-engineered quality with on-site service network and next-day spare parts availability.
How They Differentiate
Versus ANDRITZ/Ipsen/Tenova: (1) Specialized AM focus with LH..DB series purpose-designed for debinding/sintering of 3D-printed parts vs. general thermal processing; (2) Unique switchable atmosphere (air↔inert gas) capability in compact form factor enabling single-system flexibility; (3) Largest R&D department in furnace industry enabling rapid product iteration and customization to emerging AM material requirements; (4) 100% in-house manufacturing in Germany enabling quality control and short lead times (competitors rely on distributed manufacturing); (5) Established 150,000+ customer base with decentralized service network provides competitive moat vs. competitors with centralized support.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Additive manufacturing service providers and OEMs producing metal (DMLS/LPBF/binder jetting) and ceramic AM components; advanced materials processors; technical ceramics manufacturers; laboratory research institutions.
Industry Verticals
Additive Manufacturing (metal and ceramic); Advanced Materials / Technical Ceramics; Fiber Optics / Glass Processing; Foundry / Metal Processing; Pharmaceutical / GMP Manufacturing; Laboratory / Research; Dental / Prosthetics; Aerospace / Defense
Competitors
ANDRITZ AG, Carbolite Gero Limited
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
600 employees worldwide (grown from ~25 in 1954); 150,000+ customers in 100+ countries; 7,500+ furnaces manufactured annually at Lilienthal plant; 800+ standard furnace models in product portfolio; global manufacturing footprint with subsidiaries across Europe, North America, and Asia.
Major Milestones
1947: Founded by Conrad Naber as small locksmith/furnace shop; 1954: Relocated to Lilienthal/Lower Saxony with 25 employees; 1970s-1990s: Expansion of furnace product ranges; introduction of gas-fired furnaces for automotive preheating; 2000s: Expansion into additive manufacturing thermal processing market; 2022: Celebrated 75th anniversary as globally-leading industrial furnace manufacturer; 2024: Launched LH..DB compact sintering furnace series specifically for AM thermal post-processing at CERAMITEC exhibition; 2024: Chinese subsidiary noted as increasingly central to company growth strategy
Notable Customers
Phi-Stone AG (GMP pharmaceutical production); Multiple aerospace component manufacturers (referenced in capability descriptions); Technical ceramics processors; Microelectronics component manufacturers (LTCC/multilayer ceramics); 150,000+ total customers across 100+ countries (industrial base)