30 Years of Piezo Technology Made in Thuringia: PI Ceramic Celebrates Its Anniversary

Thirty years of experience in developing and manufacturing piezoceramic components, actuators, and subsystems for numerous applications in medical technology, semiconductor, industrial ultrasonic sensor technology, and printing or dispensing technology distinguish PI Ceramic.

The piezo ceramics are used, for example, in medical technology for the diagnosis of diseases with mobile point-of-care-tests, such as rapid HIV tests, blood glucose meters, or PRC tests. Piezo components move, mix and analyze tiny liquid volumes. In the industrial environment, piezo elements act as ultrasonic sensors for smart flow metering of liquids or gases.

In 1992, the company was founded by Mr. Albrecht Otto and Dr. Karl Spanner, the former CEO of the parent company PI (Physik Instrumente), with the vision to create a competent manufacturer of piezoceramic components for the PI Group. This milestone was reached ten years after founding the company: Since 2022, all piezo components required by the PI Group are manufactured exclusively by PI Ceramic.

Today, 30 years later, the company is not only a manufacturer and supplier for PI but also for numerous global partners in medical technology and the industry. With its worldwide presence, PI Ceramic is one of the fastest growing and most sustainable high-tech companies in eastern Thuringia.

In the early days, the company was in rented facilities in Gera; just one year later, PI Ceramic moved to its own location in the nearby Lederhose. Since then, the company's headquarters have continually expanded, both to match the growing number of employees and increase the manufacturing capacities for new products.

The company celebrates its anniversary year 2022 with the inauguration of a new building with more than 7,500 square meters office and manufacturing space and an investment volume of more than 15 million euro. "We will continue to invest in this location since the demand for our products and solutions is growing in all markets," so Dr. Patrick Pertsch, CEO of PI Ceramic.

PI Ceramic in Brief

Redefining the limits of what can be measured and moved, together with our customers: As a worldwide partner with 30 years of expertise, PI Ceramic develops and manufactures sophisticated piezoceramic components and subsystems for applications in the areas of medical technology, industrial ultrasonic sensors, and precision dosing. One hundred of the currently 400 employees at the Lederhose location in Thuringia, Germany, work in research and development. PI Ceramic is part of the PI (Physik Instrumente) Group, the innovation and market leader for high-precision positioning technology.