Kromek

About Kromek

Kromek Group plc is a UK-headquartered technology company specializing in the development and supply of radiation and bio-detection solutions. The company was founded in 2003 as a spin-off from the Physics Department of Durham University by a team that included current CEO Dr. Arnab Basu, who holds a PhD in physics specializing in semiconductor sensor materials. Initially named Durham Scientific Crystals, the company rebranded to Kromek in 2008 and floated on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange in 2014. Kromek's core technology is based on Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) crystals, a semiconductor material used to produce high-resolution X-ray and gamma-ray detectors. The company claims to be the only commercial producer of CZT globally. This vertical integration, from crystal growth to finished detector products with software and electronics, allows it to serve a diverse client base. Its business is structured into two main segments: Advanced Imaging and CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) Detection. In the Advanced Imaging market, Kromek operates as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), supplying detector components to companies in the medical, security, and industrial sectors. These components are crucial for applications like medical CT and SPECT imaging for detecting diseases such as cancer, as well as for industrial inspection and security screening for explosives. A landmark agreement with Siemens Healthineers for CZT detectors in SPECT applications highlights its position in this market. The CBRN Detection segment provides solutions primarily for the homeland security, defense, and civil nuclear markets. Products include a range of compact, high-performance radiation detectors—handheld, wearable, and static—designed to protect infrastructure and people from radiological threats like 'dirty bombs'. The company also develops automated systems for detecting airborne pathogens. Its clients include government bodies, defense agencies, and nuclear power operators in the UK, US, Europe, and Asia. With manufacturing and R&D facilities in the UK and the US, Kromek has grown from a small university spin-out to a global entity with over 150 employees. The company has expanded its US presence through acquisitions, including NOVA Research and Development in California (2010) and EV Products in Pennsylvania (2013), enhancing its capabilities in electronics and CZT production. Keywords: Cadmium Zinc Telluride, CZT detectors, radiation detection, threat detection, medical imaging, homeland security, gamma-ray imaging, x-ray detectors, nuclear security, OEM components, SPECT imaging, CBRN detection, bio-detection, radioisotope identification, scintillation detectors, security screening, civil nuclear, environmental monitoring, handheld detectors, wearable sensors, pathogen detection, Arnab Basu