KNAUER history since 1962
1962
It all started with a worldwide sensation: Dr. Herbert Knauer, then a 31-year-old chemist, develops a universal temperature measurement device which can measure up to 1/1000 °C. Shortly thereafter he develops another instrument: an electronic freezing point osmometer/cryoscopy device for determining molecular weights up to 3000 g/mol. With these two developments, the base for the future success of the company, founded by Dr. Herbert Knauer and his wife Roswitha on October 1, 1962, is established.
1970
KNAUER is honored with a gold medal during the Leipzig Trade Fair in East Germany – then a rare honor for a West German company. Thanks to this award, the East European market for vapor pressure osmometers is open to KNAUER.
1974
KNAUER develops additional analysis instrumentation and marks its first success with instruments and columns for HIGH PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY (HPLC). The company, still housed within the Knauer family’s own large residence, is bursting at the seams. The new company headquarters is completed in 1974 and offers 4,500 square meters of working space for production, development and administration.
1976
KNAUER is the first European manufacturer of HPLC instruments in modular format which quickly become well-known for their outstanding flexibility. KNAUER’s biggest selling product at the time is the Pump 64.
1980
A new line of instruments for the clinical laboratory is introduced: an automatic freezing point osmometer and a colloid osmometer.
1986
Worldwide launch of the innovative HPLC connection system DYNASEAL.
Starting in 1986, KNAUER spins out several specialized subsidiaries including “SÄULENTECHNIK Dr. Knauer GmbH” which are later re-integrated into the parent company.
1987
First column refill service in the world for HPLC columns from a wide range of manufacturers. The KNAUER column product palette already includes columns with 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 mm inner diameters.
1990
Introduction of innovative electronic pulsation dampening for HPLC pumps, making more sensitive measurements possible.
1992
Introduction of a complete range of products for preparative chromatography.
1995
Alexandra Knauer, daughter of the company’s founder, is appointed General Manager and manages the company together with her father.
1996
Development of the smallest SMB system in the world for preparative continuous chromatography for the separation of two-component mixtures, such as chiral products.
1997
Unique on the market: the 8-fold pump head for parallel chromatography. A pump equipped with one of these pump heads can provide the performance of 8 single piston pumps.
KNAUER’s quality management system is certified according to DIN EN ISO 9001.
1998
Completion of the WellChrom HPLC line, one of the most compact HPLC systems on the market with a scanning UV detector. Bernward Rittgerodt joins KNAUER as Managing Director alongside Alexandra Knauer. As of this year, the company begins training apprentices in technical and sales areas.
1999
Introduction of the CHANC€® system, the smallest portable HPLC system in the world (5 kg).
2000
Alexandra Knauer becomes sole owner of the company.
2001
Starting in 2001, production is increasingly moved in-house to ensure quality and improve flexibility. Introduction of another innovation: detectors with fiber optics.
2003
Introduction of the modern Smartline HPLC series with a diode array detector with an attractive new look and price/performance ratio.
2004
Alexandra Knauer is awarded with the first Berlin Prize for Female Entrepreneurs.
2005
Launch of new HPLC columns for chiral separations.
2006
The unique "Smartline Assistant" can take over a variety of tasks such as sample preparation, sample injection or fraction collection.
2007
Introduction of SmartMix, the versatile patented eluent mixer. Submitted for the Berlin-Brandenburg Innovation Award 2007.
2008
The modular system for ultra-high performace liquid chromatography (UHPLC) features and extende pressure range up to 1000 bar with a data acquisition rate up to 200 Hz - an ideal combination for high resolution LC applications. The system offers an intuitive, easy-to-use data analysis software.
Lothar Späth honoriert mit dem Gütesiegel „Top 100“ unsere Innovationen. Speziell die flachen Hierarchien führen zu einem überdurchschnittlich guten Innovationsklima und zu einer regen Beteiligung an den abteilungsübergreifenden Treffen.
BlueOrchid 1.8 μm UHPLC columns represent a new level of performance in HPLC, offering ultra fast separations with superior efficiency and significant improvements in sensitivity as well as in resolution.
A very narrow particle size distribution minimizes column back pressures to values in reach of conventional HPLC systems.
2009
BlueShadow, the new product line exclusively for OEM customers is introduced. It offers typical KNAUER advantages like robust, efficient components with flexible operation and, in addition, new intuitive touchscreen control.
Wolfgang Clement, Germany's former economics minister and mentor of the Top Job initiative, awards KNAUER the prestigious Top Job seal of approval. One of the decisive factors was the creation of the company garden as a means of promoting communication between employees in a relaxed atmosphere.
TÜV Rheinland Cert GmbH certifies KNAUER according to ISO9001:2008. With this quality management certificate, we are among the first companies with the certificate that is valid as of 12/2008.
KNAUER introduces the combination of PLATINblue UHPLC systems with mass spectrometry. The PLATINblue UHPLC-MS system can be controlled via the popular MS software Excalibur.
Bioline is the new product line for biochromatography. It features biocompatible HPLC systems with benchtop cooling, high resolution glass columns and separation media.