Questions and answers

The most frequently asked questions and answers regarding the introduction to the stock exchange.
Simply click on one of the questions and the respective answer is underneath.

What does the Nanogate AG have in its favor?

Nanogate is a successful nanotechnology company. It has been profitable since 2004, in 2007 the Nanogate Group gained a turnover of around 10.4 million Euro (plus 32.8%, according to IFRS) with an EBT of 1.5 million Euro, corresponding to an EBT margin of 14.9 percent. The equity ratio lies at 84 percent (as of 31.12.2007). In view of the dynamic market environment, Nanogate is reckoning with a sales increase of 12.5 to 14.5 million Euro. Despite the planned substantial deployment of funds and investments for new technologies and the opening of new markets, the earnings before taxes (EBT) is expected to be 0.7 to 1 million Euro.

The Nanogate AG has a large product and application portfolio for numerous sectors and successful, established partnerships / involvements. Nanogate is one of the few nanotech companies in the world that has already got together with industrial partners (among others, ABB, Bosch-Siemens Haushaltsgeräte, Kärcher as well as Koenig & Bauer) and put products on the market. The introduced technology platforms cover a multitude of functions and substrates. With this broad selection and profitable growth, Nanogate sets itself apart from other companies both at home and abroad.

How will the number of employees develop?

The Nanogate Group has 60 (as of 31.12.2007) employees at present. Depending on our further growth an increase in the number of employees is possible.

So how does the international business development look at present?

With regard to the regional distribution, Nanogate is currently bringing in the greatest part of turnover in Germany. In 2007, International sales increased by 136% from 1.1 to around 2.6 million Euro.

So how does the net profit structure look at present? What is the influence of milestone payments?

Hardly any influence, we achieve our turnover primarily from the continuous business.

What is nanotechnology?

Nanotechnology is a cross-sectional technology. The advantages can be seen in many areas. By means of nanotechnology surfaces can be modified and given new properties or functions. Nanotechnology has become an innovative driver, creating an increase in value / a competitive edge.

What does enabling mean?

As a cross-sectional technology, nanotechnology is a broad field. We offer our customers access to nanotechnology by closing the gap between the manufacturers of basic materials and their industrial application. In other sectors we would be called a service provider or systems integrator. Nanogate hence portrays the crucial interface for the commercialization of chemical nanotechnology. Nanogate lends its customers a competitive edge by enhancing products with the aid of nanotechnology, and enables the programming and integration of additional functions (e.g. antibacterial, corrosion protection, ultra low friction) in materials. We use a consistent platform concept which enables a very quick speed of implementation for Nanogate´s customers. Compared to other nanotechnology companies, Nanogate covers a broad portfolio in terms of sector, function and substrate.

What competition is there from other companies in the sector?

The nanotech market is on the move. Lots of companies on the demand side want to use nanotechnology and try to gain access to this technology. Nanogate can help these companies. Nevertheless, individual companies also want to develop their own competence and possibly compete for our customers. With regard to the provider of starting materials, they also want to integrate their raw materials into products. Nanogate can also help here. Moreover, some companies want to go their own way. In the years to come we will see the expansion of this dynamically growing market and a competitive environment in which the fastest will win. Nanogate will use its prospects as a pioneer.

Your marketing is based on a partner model. How will this develop?

We expect also in this year a expansion of our regular customers.

Which innovations are planned?

We are systematically expanding our technology platforms and our possibilities of enhancing products. Each year you can expect a variety of innovations that we will be implementing together with our partners. By way of example, this year we have presented our new technology platform “Tribology”. This reduces long-term the friction and wear of components used in engine-building and plant construction. This is a very large market offering lots of possibilities for our customers.

What is Nanogate´s patent strategy?

We have a well-founded IP basis with different patent families. At present we have more than 30 patents granted on the basis of the most varied of patent families in various countries. Lots of extra innovations are currently patent pending and we are sure that our patent basis will continue to expand in the near future.

To which extent can applications, procedures or properties and functions be scaled?

As we work with technology platforms we can very quickly transfer a new function or combination of several functions to other applications. This way we can drastically increase the innovation speed and hence minimize the “time-to-market”. This has vital benefits for our partners.

How safe is nanotechnology?

Nanogate considers the safety of our products and applications to be paramount. We also work closely with renowned, independent testing institutions, institutes and laboratories like Fraunhofer, safety standards authority, TNO, FILK, ITV Denkendorf, Fresenius and many more, so as to guarantee maximum product safety. Varied measures and internal standards, which usually surpass the legal guidelines and customer requirements, maintain the quality and harmlessness of our products. All the same, it is true to say that we have no long-term experience on account of the relative history of nanotechnology.

For which companies does Nanogate work?

Nanogate has a broad basis. So far, a number of products / applications have been developed together with partners and put on the market. References are varied. Examples of these being ABB, Bosch-Siemens Haushaltsgeräte, Kärcher as well as Koenig & Bauer.