CAMAG Chemie-Erzeugnisse & Adsorptionstechnik AG & Co. GmbH

CAMAG is a Swiss company specializing in High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) and related analytical technologies. Founded in 1958 by German chemist Dr. Dieter Jänchen, the company began as "Chemie-Erzeugnisse und Adsorptionstechnik Muttenz AG" with activated aluminum oxide as its first product. Over more than six decades, CAMAG has grown into a global leader in HPTLC, offering a comprehensive portfolio of instruments, software, and consumables for the separation, identification, and quantification of components in complex sample matrices. CAMAG's product range includes the HPTLC PRO system, Automatic TLC Sampler 4 (ATS 4), Linomat 5, Nanomat 4, smartCut, HPTLC and TLC plates, test dye mixtures, and accessories such as the Multipurpose Spotting Guide and capillary dispensers. The company also provides Dried Blood Spot (DBS) sampling solutions and ALOX aluminum oxide for chromatography and purification. Its instruments are developed, tested, and manufactured exclusively in Switzerland, carrying the "SWISS MADE" label, and are distributed worldwide through subsidiaries and a network of over 70 distributors. CAMAG serves diverse application fields including herbal drug analysis, pharmaceutical quality control, food and environmental testing, and botanical identification. The company is known for its collaboration with academic, governmental, and industrial partners to develop industry standards, particularly in herbal drugs and dietary supplements. Through training, research support, and continuous innovation, CAMAG remains at the forefront of chromatographic science, empowering scientists and institutions to conduct precise and reproducible analysis.

CAMAG was founded in 1958 by German chemist Dr. Dieter Jänchen (1927–2018) in Muttenz, Switzerland, under the name "Chemie-Erzeugnisse und Adsorptionstechnik Muttenz AG." The company's first product was activated aluminum oxide, which remains available in the portfolio today. Initially focused on adsorption technology and chemical products, CAMAG gradually shifted its focus toward thin-layer chromatography (TLC), recognizing the potential of this analytical technique for separating and identifying compounds in complex mixtures. Over the decades, CAMAG pioneered the development of instrumental TLC, transforming it from a manual, qualitative method into a high-performance, quantitative analytical technique. The company introduced numerous innovations, including automated sample application devices (Linomat, Nanomat, Automatic TLC Sampler), reproducible development chambers, and advanced detection and documentation systems. These developments helped establish HPTLC as a reliable and efficient method for pharmaceutical, herbal, food, and environmental analysis. In the 1990s and 2000s, CAMAG expanded its global reach, establishing subsidiaries and a distributor network covering more than 70 countries. The company also invested in software development, launching visionCATS, a platform for planning, executing, and evaluating HPTLC analyses. CAMAG became particularly renowned for its work in herbal drug analysis and botanical identification, collaborating with pharmacopoeias and industry partners to develop standardized HPTLC methods. Today, CAMAG remains a privately held Swiss company headquartered in Muttenz. All instruments are developed, tested, and manufactured in Switzerland, proudly labeled "SWISS MADE." The company continues to innovate with products like the HPTLC PRO system, which automates the entire HPTLC workflow, and Dried Matrix Spot (DMS) extraction solutions. CAMAG's commitment to training and education is reflected in its Academy programs and customer magazine, CBS. With more than 65 years of history, CAMAG is recognized as the world leader in HPTLC, serving laboratories in pharmaceuticals, botanicals, food safety, and environmental testing worldwide.

• 1958

  Founded by Dr. Dieter Jänchen in Muttenz, Switzerland, as Chemie-Erzeugnisse und Adsorptionstechnik Muttenz AG.

• Introduced activated aluminum oxide as first product.

• Developed and launched Linomat, Nanomat, and Automatic TLC Sampler for instrumental TLC.

• Released visionCATS software for HPTLC planning, execution, and evaluation.

• Launched HPTLC PRO system for automated HPTLC workflow.

World leader in High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography, offering Swiss-made instruments and advanced analytical solutions for complex sample analysis.

• HPTLC PRO System

  Automated system for the entire HPTLC workflow, from application to detection.

• Automatic TLC Sampler 4 (ATS 4)

  Automated sample application device for TLC/HPTLC plates.

• Linomat 5

  Semi-automatic sample application device that sprays samples as bands.

• Nanomat 4

  Manual contact transfer application device using capillaries.

• smartCut

  Device for cutting TLC and HPTLC plates.

• HPTLC Plates

  High-performance thin-layer chromatography plates for separation.

• TLC Plates

  Thin-layer chromatography plates for qualitative analysis.

• Test Dye Mixtures

  Reference mixtures for testing TLC/HPTLC systems.

• Multipurpose Spotting Guide

  Accessory for precise manual sample application.

• Capillary Dispenser

  Device for dispensing capillaries used in sample application.

• Disposable Glass Capillaries

  Capillaries for manual sample application.

• Dried Blood Spot Sampling

  Easy way of collecting, shipping, and storing blood samples.

• ALOX Aluminum Oxide

  Aluminum oxide for chromatography and purification processes.

1. 1CAMAG – Advanced Analysis of Complex Samples with HPTLCcamag.com
2. 2Company | CAMAGcamag.com
3. 3Products | CAMAGcamag.com
4. 4TLC tools for qualitative analysis | CAMAGcamag.com
5. 5CAMAG Chemie-Erzeugnisse & Adsorptionstechnik AG & Co. GmbHwikidata.org