What is HeiQ?
HeiQ is a leader in material innovation, crafting some of the most effective, durable, and high-performance textile and material effects you’ll find on the market today. Born from a passion for pushing boundaries, HeiQ is all about creating solutions that make everyday products better—whether that’s adding hygiene, comfort, protection, or sustainability. It’s innovation that touches billions of lives worldwide, quietly working behind the scenes to improve what we use daily.
The Main Benefits of HeiQ’s Innovations
HeiQ’s impact is backed by some impressive numbers and facts that show just how big and diverse this company really is:
- Founded in 2005, a relatively young but mighty player in the field
- Spin-off from the prestigious Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH)
- More than 200 professionals representing 29+ nationalities across 5 continents
- 35% female leadership—diversity matters here
- Over 50 people dedicated to R&D, constantly pushing the envelope
- An academic research network with 30+ university partners worldwide
- 7 manufacturing sites boasting a combined capacity of 45,000 tons
- Trusted innovation partner for over 300 brands globally
- Multiple award winner, including Swiss Sustainability and Swiss Technology awards
- Strong reputation for ESG and sustainable downstream effects of their innovations
HeiQ’s Roots and Global Reach
Starting as a spin-off from ETH Zurich, HeiQ has grown into a global powerhouse. With a team that’s as diverse as it is talented, the company operates on five continents, blending Swiss precision with worldwide perspectives. This global footprint allows HeiQ to not only innovate but also scale up manufacturing quickly, bringing lab discoveries to consumers in mere months. It’s a blend of academic rigor and real-world application that keeps HeiQ ahead of the curve.
Innovating for Hygiene, Comfort, and Protection
At its core, HeiQ is about improving everyday life. The company’s technologies add layers of hygiene, comfort, and protection to textiles and materials, making products safer and more enjoyable to use. Whether it’s antimicrobial treatments or advanced materials that enhance durability, HeiQ’s innovations are designed to meet the evolving needs of consumers and industries alike. It’s innovation that’s practical, impactful, and often invisible—but always essential.
The Leadership Driving HeiQ Forward
Behind HeiQ’s success is a leadership team that combines vision with expertise:
- Carlo Centonze: Co-founder & Group CEO, steering the company’s overall strategy
- Dr. Murray Height: Co-founder & Group Chief Innovation Officer, the brain behind breakthrough technologies
- Xaver Hangartner: Group CFO, managing the financial health of the company
- Robin Temmerman: EVP Business Unit Lifesciences, focusing on life sciences innovations
- Hoi Kwan Lam: Chief Commercial Officer Business Unit Life Sciences, driving commercial success
- Mike Abbott: EVP Business Unit Advanced Materials, leading advanced materials development
- Tom E. S. Ellefsen: Chief Commercial Officer BU Advanced Materials/OU Antimicrobials & Group CIO, blending commercial and investment strategies
- Raquel Vaz Vieira: CTO Business Unit Advanced Materials, spearheading tech advancements
- Dr. Oliver Zech: EVP Innovation Service & HeiQ Xpectra Venture, pushing innovation services and ventures
HeiQ’s Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – through hygiene and protective textile innovations
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – by driving material innovation and scalable manufacturing
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – via sustainable downstream effects and ESG focus
- SDG 13: Climate Action – through sustainable practices and award-winning sustainability efforts
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – collaborating with over 30 universities and 300+ brands worldwide
Contacting HeiQ
For those curious or in need of more info, HeiQ Materials AG is based in Switzerland, at Ruetistrasse 12, 8952 Schlieren (Zurich). You can reach them by phone at +41 56 250 68 50. This Swiss-based company continues to innovate globally, proving that great ideas can come from anywhere—and go everywhere.
