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
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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
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

Any Questions?
Contact us!
Anke Kräplin & Dr. Bernhard Messerschmidt
Management
Phone: +49 (3641) 55417-0
E-Mail: info@grintech.de