Amroy Europe

Amroy Europe’s roots lay in nanomaterials research at the Nanoscience Center of the University of Jyväskylä. In 2004, professor Jorma Virtanen and nanoscientist Pasi Keinänen developed a method for bonding carbon nanotubes to resin systems through strong covalent bonds. This work became the technical foundation for Hybtonite, the company’s best-known composite-resin platform. The researchers had previously established Nanolab Systems Oy, whose principal activities included nanoparticle synthesis technology and instruments intended for drug research. Amroy Europe was formed in 2005 as a spin-off from Nanolab Systems. The new company concentrated on commercializing advanced resin and composite technologies rather than the broader research-instrument activities associated with Nanolab Systems. Hybtonite was developed as a carbon-nanotube-reinforced composite resin. Its reported application areas included wind-turbine blades, sports equipment, marine structures and marine coatings. The first commercial product identified in the available material was the Nitro hockey stick produced by Montreal Sports Oy. The product’s recognition at the Nanotechnology 2006 exhibition in Tokyo helped give the company visibility as a developer of commercially applicable nanomaterials. The technology was subsequently used in a range of sports products. Reported examples include cross-country and roller skis made by Peltonen Sports, baseball bats associated with Karhu Sports, hunting arrows from Easton, surfboards from Entropy Surfboards and kayaks from Sport Lettmann. In the wind-energy sector, Hybtonite was used in small turbine blades by Eagle Windpower in Finland and in larger windmill blades by Evergreen in China and LM Glassfiber in Denmark. Amroy Europe also supplied or supported marine applications, including composite laminating materials and marine paints, with Baltic Yachts and Cathay Yachts cited among users. The company’s manufacturing and commercialization model included its own production as well as licensing. Hybtonite was manufactured under licence in China, and Bayer was identified as a supplier of the carbon nanotubes used by Amroy Europe. This arrangement connected the Finnish technology developer with international composite-material production and downstream industrial users. Alongside Hybtonite, Amroy Europe developed Epobiox, a liquid epoxy system described as being 70 percent derived from natural oils. Epobiox represented a bio-based direction within the company’s portfolio, while other documented products included bioresins and special pastes. The combination of nanotube-reinforced composites and partially renewable resin chemistry positioned Amroy Europe in several specialized industrial-materials niches. In December 2009, the company received Frost & Sullivan’s European Technology Innovation Award for its work on Hybtonite. The available sources do not provide a reliable account of subsequent ownership, management, financial results, acquisitions, or the company’s present operating status. Accordingly, its later corporate history remains undocumented in this dossier.

1. 2009Frost & Sullivan European Technology Innovation Award

   Amroy Europe received the award for its work on Hybtonite.

   Source
2. 2006First reported commercial Hybtonite product

   Montreal Sports Oy introduced the Nitro hockey stick, reported as the first commercial product using Hybtonite.

   Source
3. 2006Hybtonite recognized at Nanotechnology 2006

   The Nitro hockey stick was voted the leading nano product at the Nanotechnology 2006 exhibition in Tokyo.

   Source
4. 2005Amroy Europe established as a Nanolab Systems spin-off

   Amroy Europe was established in Finland as a spin-off of Nanolab Systems Oy to commercialize advanced resin and nanocomposite technologies.

   Source
5. 2004Carbon-nanotube resin-bonding method developed

   Jorma Virtanen and Pasi Keinänen developed a method for bonding carbon nanotubes with resins through strong covalent bonds, providing the basis for Hybtonite.

   Source

Advanced industrial materials developer specializing in nanotube-reinforced composite resins and bio-based epoxy chemistry.

• HybtoniteCarbon-nanotube-reinforced composite resin2006

  Hybtonite was Amroy Europe’s principal composite-resin technology. It incorporated carbon nanotubes into resin through a bonding method based on strong covalent links. The material was used or licensed for sports equipment, wind-turbine blades, marine laminating systems and marine paints. Reported downstream products included hockey sticks, skis, baseball bats, hunting arrows, surfboards and kayaks. Hybtonite was manufactured by Amroy Europe and under licence in China, and the company’s documented industrial partners included firms in Finland, China and Denmark.

• EpobioxBio-based liquid epoxy system

  Epobiox was a liquid epoxy system described as containing 70 percent natural oils. It represented Amroy Europe’s bio-based materials direction and complemented the company’s carbon-nanotube-reinforced composite-resin activities. The available sources identify its composition and product category but do not provide reliable information about its launch date, complete performance specifications, current availability or later commercial development.

• BioresinsBio-based resins

  Bioresins formed part of Amroy Europe’s broader materials portfolio alongside Hybtonite and Epobiox. They were intended for applications seeking resin systems with a greater renewable or bio-derived component. The reference material does not identify individual formulations, product names, launch dates or specific customers beyond the broader description of the company’s resin activities.

• Special pastesSpecialty industrial materials

  Amroy Europe was also described as a manufacturer of special pastes. These materials appear to have been part of the company’s specialty industrial-products range, but the available sources do not specify their chemical composition, application sectors, product names or commercial status.

• 2006Commercial introduction of Hybtonite through the Nitro hockey stickProduct launch

  Amroy Europe sought an early commercial demonstration for its carbon-nanotube-reinforced resin technology.

  What changed. Montreal Sports Oy used Hybtonite in the Nitro hockey stick, identified as the first commercial product using the material.

  Aftermath. The product received recognition at the Nanotechnology 2006 exhibition in Tokyo and helped demonstrate Hybtonite’s use in sports equipment.

  Source
• 2006Expansion of Hybtonite applications and licensingStrategy

  The company’s resin technology had potential beyond individual sporting goods and could be incorporated into larger composite manufacturing programs.

  What changed. Amroy Europe supplied Hybtonite for applications including turbine blades, sports equipment and marine products, while also allowing manufacture under licence in China.

  Aftermath. Reported users and partners included Eagle Windpower, Evergreen, LM Glassfiber, Peltonen Sports, Karhu Sports, Easton, Entropy Surfboards, Sport Lettmann, Baltic Yachts and Cathay Yachts.

  Source
• 2005Spin-off established to commercialize nanocomposite technologyStrategy

  Research at the University of Jyväskylä and work within Nanolab Systems produced a carbon-nanotube resin-bonding method with potential industrial applications.

  What changed. Amroy Europe was established as a dedicated spin-off focused on developing and manufacturing composite resins, nanoepoxy systems, bioresins and related specialty materials.

  Aftermath. The company developed Hybtonite and pursued applications and licensing relationships in sports equipment, wind energy and marine composites.

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• 2009Amroy Europe receives Frost & Sullivan technology innovation award

  In December 2009, Amroy Europe received Frost & Sullivan’s European Technology Innovation Award for its work on the Hybtonite material platform.

  Other
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• 2006Hybtonite receives recognition at Nanotechnology 2006

  A hockey stick made by Montreal Sports Oy using Hybtonite was voted the leading nano product at the Nanotechnology 2006 exhibition in Tokyo.

  Product launchOther
  Source

1. Amroy Europe
2. Amroy Europe official website