Building your ideal automation and digitalization solutions have never been simpler with Chemspeed as your partner.
Chemspeed enables innovation, sustainability and quality through gamification, augmented reality, digitalization, automation and robotics for R&D and QC.
As the global market leader with decades of experience, our solutions accelerate, standardize and digitalized present and future developments such as better medicines, better materials (e.g. batteries, photovoltaics, catalysts) and better consumer goods (e.g. cosmetics, household care, paints & coatings) in a wide range of chemical research fields as well as quality control.
Chemspeed’s inception can be traced back to the research activities of Dr. Rolf Gueller at Roche in Basel, where he focused on increasing productivity in Medicinal Chemistry. Dr. Rolf Gueller identified that automating repetitive R&D workflows could significantly enhance efficiency, allowing researchers to devote more attention to experimental planning and data analysis. This led to the development of the first generation liquid- and solid-phase synthesizer at Roche and subsequently the founding of Chemspeed in 1997.
In 1998, Chemspeed Technologies launched the Automated Synthesis Workstation (ASW) product line, aiming to revolutionize reaction preparation, organic synthesis, work-up, and analysis. The ASW, known for its widespread adoption, marked a significant step in laboratory automation.
The late 1990s witnessed Chemspeed’s expansion into the international market, establishing subsidiaries in New Jersey, USA, and the UK. This period also saw Chemspeed's start into process development, entering the material science sector with a fruitful collaboration with BASF.
2002, Chemspeed introduced the Accelerator product line (2nd generation platform technology), integrating patented automatic tool-exchange interface and overhead gravimetric solid dispensing in conjunction with the AutoSuite operating software. Collaboration with BASF led to the development of high-precision reactors for process development, opening new market opportunities.
Still in 2002 Chemspeed patented the revolutionary SMOLE with its ready-to-apply, currency-like portioned chemicals.
In 2002 and 2006, respectively, academic collaborations with e.g. the Dutch Polymer Institute and subsequently the University of Jena (Prof. Dr. Ulrich S. Schubert) and University of Liverpool and subsequently Materials Innovation Factory (Prof. Dr. Andrew Cooper) represented / represent pivotal milestones in Chemspeed’s science intercept with academia.
In 2007, Chemspeed introduced the SWING product line , representing the third generation of its platform technology. The SWING line was developed to automate and digitalize sample preparation, synthesis, process development, formulation, application, and testing, featuring inherent modularity and flexibility by design.
The partnership with L'Oréal in 2007 facilitated the creation of formulation discovery and formulation development products, catering to the consumer goods and performance materials area. While expanding its offerings, Chemspeed implemented a strategy to address diverse market needs through a unique market matrix and 4-dimensional flexibility & modularity by design. This approach allowed Chemspeed to effectively and holistically serve the market groups:
In 2013 Chemspeed launched its 2nd generation synthesis technology with disposable glass reactors enhancing the ease-of-use.
As well in 2013, Chemspeed further pushed its growth and enabled the introduction of the FLEXSHUTTLE product line along with the ArkSuite Workflow Management Software. These developments aimed to provide comprehensive solutions for both partial and entire product development workflows.
In 2014 the patented gravimetric picking & dispensing SWILE solution was launched which uniquely enables matrix-to-matrix solid reformatting.
In 2015, Chemspeed installed its first FLEXSHUTTLE system, described as the largest fully automated product development and quality control solution available at the time. The introduction of the FLEXSHUTTLE system represented an advancement in modularity, referred to as the fifth dimension of modularity by the company.
From the FLEXSHUTTLE concept the FLEX product line was derived, which fills the need for automation in formats smaller than the SWING products, filling a gap left by the discontinuation of the ASW line years earlier.
The continuous growth of Chemspeed Technologies prompted the relocation of its headquarters from Augst to a company-owned building in Fuellinsdorf, Switzerland, in 2017, spanning over 13,000 square meters.
In 2019, the UK office underwent a relocation to Liverpool, in partnership with the University of Liverpool and the Materials Innovation Factory (MIF).
In 2021, Chemspeed strengthened its presence in China with a joint office in Shenzhen, established in collaboration with its long-time distributor, Nikyang. Additionally a German office was opened in Essen, which serves as a hub for the European Union.
In the same year, Chemspeed expanded its operational scope by introducing three new business units:
In 2022, Chemspeed introduced the ArkSuite Sofia dynamic digitalization solution, entering beta-testing phase. This period also saw the launch of the CRYSTAL product line, emphasizing Chemspeed's dedication to innovation and branding in laboratory automation.
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