Our Company

About us

Innovative micro-optics “made in Jena”

GRINTECH is a medium-sized high-tech company based in Jena, the “City of Light”, with around 25 years of experience in innovation. Our interdisciplinary teams are made up of physicists and engineers, precision opticians, physics and chemistry laboratory technicians, chemists, industrial mechanics and business people.

GRINTECH was founded in December 1999 by the partners Dr. Torsten Poßner, Dr. Bernhard Messerschmidt, Anke Kräplin and Ulf Poßner. All four had previously researched the manufacture of gradient microlenses at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering (IOF) in Jena. Dr. Torsten Poßner and Dr. Bernhard Messerschmidt managed GRINTECH together as a management duo until autumn 2024. In August 2024, Anke Kräplin took over the management from Dr. Torsten Poßner.

Our technology: unique worldwide

We specialize in gradient index micro-optics made of glass with diameters between 0.2 and 2 mm. We develop and produce high-precision miniaturized optical components and systems based on GRIN lenses (“Gradient Index Lenses”). These are microlenses with flat front surfaces whose refractive power is generated by a radially or laterally variable refractive index profile. These refractive index profiles are produced by non-toxic silver and lithium ion exchange in glass.  GRIN lenses can be used in a wide range of industries and applications.

Our technology enables compact and high-precision optical systems with unique properties. These include high resolution while reducing optical aberrations.

We supply lenses and optical systems for the most demanding requirements in a wide range of applications: For miniature microscopy and industrial metrology, but also for optical inspection systems, such as those used in sensor technology or the automotive industry. Our system solutions are also used in a wide range of research fields such as neurotechnology, cell research, biomedicine and medical imaging.

We are the only company in the world to manufacture gradient index optics based on non-toxic and biocompatible silver and lithium ion exchange processes. We thus make an important contribution to technological sustainability and are a highly innovative and reliable partner for our global customers in research, development and industry.

GRINTECH – a competent partner for your project

  • What we do: Develop and manufacture innovative optical systems

    We specialize in the development and manufacture of GRIN lenses and optical systems based on them. Together with our customers from all over the world, we develop customized and high-precision OEM solutions from our wide range of optical components. Our team creates customized products that are perfectly tailored to your individual requirements.

    Our OEM Solutions
  • How we work: Trustworthy and transparent

    We maintain close contact and a transparent exchange with our customers. From the initial inquiry through concept development to series production, we provide individual support for your request. A personal customer manager is always available to you as a contact person for larger projects in the process.

    Our OEM Solutions
  • What sets us apart: Quality and precision from a single source

    Our products meet the highest standards of quality and precision. We work with state-of-the-art production technologies and comprehensive qualifying tests. In this way, we ensure that our optical components meet the most demanding requirements at all times.

    Product Overview

GRINTECH from past to present

Das Gründungsteam der GRINTECH 1999

December 1999

GRINTECH GmbH was founded as a spin-off from the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering Jena (IOF). The four founders Dr. Torsten Poßner, Dr. Bernhard Messerschmidt, Ulf Poßner and Anke Kräplin researched the manufacture of micro-optics there.

January 2000

Our young company moves into its first premises at Schillerstraße 1 in Jena’s “Eulenhaus”. The team grows and we take on our first employees.

2004

We develop our first interferometric sensors. They form the basis for precisely characterizing the surfaces of components and other technical surfaces in numerous applications.

2006

We develop our first line optics. These beam shaping modules contain a GRIN lens system and a laser source. They transform light into a homogeneous, almost ideal line and are used in numerous applications in optical measurement technology.

2007

We enter into a cooperation agreement with Micro-Epsilon in order to broaden our sensor development on the basis of the confocal chromatic measuring principle and to enable further progress together. This collaboration develops into an intensive and collegial partnership that continues to this day.

2010

Together with partners and customers from the first GRINTECH decade, we are celebrating our 10th anniversary at the Normannenhaus in Jena. A special highlight of the evening is our live link-up with Mark Schnitzer at Stanford University in Silicon Valley.

2012

We are starting a collaboration with one of our most important OEM customers: Inscopix. The company uses our high-precision lenses for miniature microscopy in the field of neuroscience, making neurons visible in vivo.

December 2020

We break ground for our new company building on the Jena21 industrial estate in the south of Jena. This lays the foundation for sustainable and targeted growth with optimal production conditions.

January 2022

After more than 20 years in Jena’s “Eulenhaus”, we are moving to our new company headquarters at Otto-Eppenstein-Strasse 7. With around 2,500 square meters of production and office space, we have the ideal conditions here to grow sustainably as a company and work together as a team in the best possible way.

2023

The State Development Corporation of Thuringia (LEG) honors us as a “Hidden Champion” of the state of Thuringia. This award is given to companies that are world market and technology leaders with their products.

Fall of 2024

Dr. Torsten Poßner is retiring. He hands over the “baton” to Anke Kräplin, who takes over the management together with Dr. Bernhard Messerschmidt.

2025

Now with 50 employees and a new management team, GRINTECH is starting the year 2025 with optimism. We want to initiate new collaborations, be visible in the region and beyond and continue to develop innovative micro-optics and measurement technology solutions for our customers as an established research partner.

Our team / specialist departments:

GRINTECH employs 50 experts from the fields of optics, physics, chemistry, engineering, precision optics, precision mechanics and project management. We pool our expertise to provide our customers with the best possible support. We have been working with many of our international partners for years or even decades. As a typical “hidden champion”, we are proud of the innovative strength of our company and of being the world market leader for GRIN-based micro-optics.

Optical Design

Our specialist optical designers develop optical systems using OpticStudio (ZEMAX) design software, among other things. This enables us to optimally meet customer requirements.

Dr. Bernhard Messerschmidt

Mechanical design & production

Our design department integrates optical components directly into the mechanical system. Because we manufacture (almost) all products and components in-house on our own machines, we work quickly and efficiently.

Our modern production facility produces prototypes, small and medium series on CNC machining centers. We ensure the high quality of our products through measuring and testing processes during production.

Sven Flämig

Ion exchange

Ion exchange forms the basis of our key technology – the production of gradient index micro-optics or GRIN lenses. This procedure is unique worldwide and enables a lens effect without curvature of the optical surfaces.

Ulf Poßner

Precision optics

Our precision optics department processes the lens blanks into GRIN lens batches according to customer requirements, using chip saws from the semiconductor industry, a CNC grinding machine and lever arm machines.

Matthias Rütz

Optical metrology

We measure and qualify our lenses in an extensive process as part of the production process. We use various optical methods, such as interferometry, fiber optics and imaging tests.

Jan Kobelke

Optics assembly

In our optical assembly department, the individual components are turned into finished products and assemblies that can be used in a wide variety of applications.

Herbert Stürmer, Gritta Günther, Jan Kobelke

HR

Our HR department is responsible for the recruitment, training and development of our employees. It also supports a positive corporate culture that promotes innovation and collaboration.

Annett Schein

Sales

Our sales team acquires customers and maintains existing customer relationships. GRINTECH is a regular exhibitor at Photonics West in San Francisco and LASER World of Photonics in Munich.

Herbert Stürmer & Anke Kräplin

Accounting

Our accounting department is responsible for finances, including bookkeeping and controlling. The team also takes care of our budget planning and keeps an eye on GRINTECH’s long-term financial strategy.

Nicole Winter

Research & Development

Our R&D department develops new products and technologies and works on improving existing GRIN solutions. This ensures that GRINTECH remains innovative and competitive.

Dr. Bernhard Messerschmidt

Purchase

Our strategic purchasing department is responsible for purchasing all raw materials that we process at GRINTECH. It therefore forms an important interface to all areas of the company and also maintains contacts with suppliers and subcontractors.

Stefan Kämpfer

Our values and commitment

Social cohesion

Our company focuses on sustainable growth and social interaction within the team. With the new building at Otto-Eppenstein-Straße 7, we have created a place where all employees – from production to research and development to administration – will find optimal working conditions and attractive social spaces. We promote creative cooperation and a shared exchange on technical and non-technical topics. As part of the “Weltoffenes Thüringen” initiative (meaning „Thuringia open to the world“), we are also committed to diversity and peaceful and respectful interaction with one another.

Active sustainability

Sustainability and the careful use of resources is a central theme of our company philosophy. With the photovoltaic systems on the roof of our building, we are sending a clear signal for environmental protection and clean production. Thanks to solar energy, we are significantly reducing our CO2 footprint and making an active contribution to the energy and mobility transition. The electricity generated covers a large part of our own requirements and helps to conserve resources and reduce costs in the long term. Our employees can of course charge their electric bikes free of charge at our premises. As a company, GRINTECH assumes social responsibility and makes a positive contribution today to the world of tomorrow. This also includes the fact that we are the only company in the world to manufacture gradient index optics based on non-toxic and biocompatible silver and lithium ion exchange processes.

Local commitment

As a responsible company, we firmly believe that our success is inextricably linked to the community in which we operate. That is why we are actively involved in various local projects, such as the Long Night of Science in Jena.

Such initiatives strengthen the sense of community – both within our team and in the local community. Culture and creativity are important elements that strengthen social cohesion and create identity. Sport also promotes this identity, connects people and offers cohesion. We support local sports clubs because they make an important contribution to team spirit and health and give people from our region the opportunity to develop their own talents.

We are proud to be part of this active and vibrant community. As a company and team, we also regularly collect donations for social initiatives, for example as part of our Christmas party fundraising campaign for the “Elterninitiative für krebskranke Kinder Jena e.V.”, Malteser Hilfsdienst e.V. or the Jena emergency chaplaincy.

Our location

Optics
“made in Jena”

GridSkyline Lichtstadt Jena JenaParadies

We are located in Jena – also known as the “City of Light” or “Optical Valley”. The name says it all, as Jena is considered the cradle of the European optics and photonics industry. More than 150 years ago, the triumvirate of Ernst Abbe, Carl Zeiss and Otto Schott began the success story of a technology that helps to solve important future issues in medicine, industry, communication, energy, science and research. We are delighted that GRINTECH has been part of this innovative Jena community for almost 25 years.
Science and business are closely linked in Jena. Our city is strong in research and future-oriented. The innovative strength of the location also contributes to the success of our work, as we have a broad local network of project partners, suppliers and customers.
Jena itself is an excellent place to work and live. The city is young, cosmopolitan and, with a population of around 110,000, is just the right size to combine the flair of a big city with the charm of a smaller community. And after work, you can be in the countryside in no time at all.

Optimal conditions
on “Jena21”

Grid

Our company headquarters are located in the best optical neighborhood in the south of Jena in the Jena21 industrial park. We moved into our new company home in 2021. We have found the space here to shape our growth individually and to optimally implement our own framework conditions for development and production.
Our company headquarters are close to the city, well connected to public transport and just a stone’s throw from the highway. Of course, free parking spaces are available for our guests and employees as well as charging infrastructure for electric cars and bicycles.

R&D Projects & Publications  

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Any Questions?
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Anke Kräplin & Dr. Bernhard Messerschmidt
Management

Contact

Do you have any questions? Please contact us.