NuMat Technologies, Inc.

NuMat Technologies develops advanced material solutions based on Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), a class of programmable precision chemistries. The company designs and scales these materials to enhance chemical capture, separation, and delivery. Its integrated platform uses digital technologies to accelerate MOF-based product development and manufacturing, including advanced decontamination and chemical filtration systems.

Founded in 2013 by CEO Benjamin Hernandez, NuMat Technologies originated from the insight of applying sophisticated materials science, specifically MOFs, to industrial challenges. The company's vision translated molecularly engineered materials into scalable, real-world solutions. This addresses pressing industrial and environmental needs through innovative chemistry.

NuMat's products serve critical applications in extreme environments, industrial decarbonization, and the semiconductor industry, offering solutions for chemical protection, separation, and purification. The company aims to reduce the negative impact of chemicals on human health and the environment. Its long-term vision is to drive industrial efficiency through continuous chemistry innovation.

High-Level Overview

NuMat Technologies, Inc. is a materials technology company founded in 2013 and headquartered in Skokie, Illinois, specializing in the design and commercialization of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)—nanoporous materials engineered at the molecular level to capture and separate hazardous chemicals.[1][3][5] The company serves industries including microelectronics, life sciences, defense, industrial, and energy, delivering products like ION-X® for safe storage and delivery of toxic gases (e.g., arsine and phosphine) in semiconductors, and SENTINEL® filtration for chemical protection in warfighter apparel and frontline worker environments.[2][3][6] NuMat solves critical problems in chemical safety, sustainability, and efficiency by industrializing MOFs at scale, reducing environmental and health impacts through precision chemistry that outperforms traditional methods; it operates the world's first ISO 9001:2015-certified nanofoundry for MOF production, with facilities in Illinois and Wisconsin, and reports revenue of about $7.4 million.[1][3]

Growth momentum includes pioneering the first commercial MOF product (ION-X®), securing SBIR funding for applications like air separation and gas storage, and recognition such as CEO Ben Hernandez being named one of Goldman Sachs' 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs in 2021.[1][2]

Origin Story

NuMat was founded by friends passionate about chemistry innovation, including Co-Founder and CEO Ben Hernandez, who shared a vision to merge high-performance computing, chemistry, and engineered systems to commercialize MOFs.[1][3] Established in 2013 in Skokie, Illinois, the idea emerged from recognizing MOFs' potential to address molecular-level challenges in hazardous chemical handling, leading to the assembly of a multidisciplinary team of over 30 chemists, engineers, and business experts.[2][3][5]

Early traction came with the development and commercialization of ION-X®, the first MOF-based product for sub-atmospheric storage of toxic gases in electronics manufacturing, alongside patents like US9427722 for MOF-based air separation.[2] Pivotal moments include repurposing a 100-year-old foundry into a state-of-the-art nanofoundry, expanding to high-volume manufacturing in Wisconsin, and earning SBIR Phase II awards in 2019 from the DOE for volumetric storage technologies.[2][3]

Core Differentiators

• Pioneering Industrialization of MOFs: First company worldwide to scale MOF production for commercial use across sectors, with an integrated platform from high-throughput discovery to ISO-certified manufacturing.[3][4]
• Precision Chemistry Platform: Designs MOFs atom-by-atom for targeted capture/separation of hazardous chemicals, enabling superior performance in gas storage, filtration, and decontamination over traditional adsorbents.[1][2][4]
• Proven Products: ION-X® for safe toxic gas delivery in semiconductors; SENTINEL® for single-material chemical protection/destruction in defense; broad applicability to air separation, hydrocarbon storage, and medical oxygen.[2][6]
• End-to-End Workflow: Combines digital tools, human ingenuity, and facilities for rapid prototyping to high-volume output, reducing time from lab to market.[3][6]
• Sustainability Focus: Solutions improve yield, safety, and decarbonization by minimizing chemical process impacts on health/environment.[4]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

NuMat rides the trend toward precision chemistry and sustainable materials, leveraging MOFs to enable digitized, decarbonized industrial processes amid global pushes for resource efficiency and hazardous chemical reduction.[3][4] Timing aligns with semiconductor expansion, defense modernization, and energy transitions, where MOFs address limitations in traditional materials for toxic gas handling, chemical warfare protection, and clean energy storage.[1][2][6]

Market forces favoring NuMat include rising demand for safer manufacturing (e.g., electronics yield improvements), environmental regulations, and U.S. investments in domestic critical materials supply chains.[3] The company influences the ecosystem by strengthening the MOF industrial base, partnering with sector leaders, and demonstrating scalable nanofabrication, paving the way for broader adoption in microelectronics, life sciences, and beyond.[1][3]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

NuMat is positioned for expansion through its unmatched MOF scaling expertise, with next steps likely including new product launches in energy storage, medical applications, and advanced protection tech, fueled by facility investments and SBIR-aligned R&D.[2][3] Trends like AI-driven materials discovery, semiconductor reshoring, and climate-driven decarbonization will shape its trajectory, amplifying demand for efficient chemical solutions.[4][6]

Its founder-led culture and precision platform suggest evolving influence as a key enabler of industrial sustainability, potentially capturing larger shares in high-stakes sectors while inspiring next-gen chemistry innovations—echoing its origins in bold, world-improving ambition.[3]