A chemistry platform built for precision optics
Four PFAS-free chemistry families spanning the widest refractive index range available from a single supplier globally. From RI 1.16 to 2.00.
One coating platform. Multiple surface functions. Faster development.
Most coating projects require 3-5 suppliers to cover the full range of surface functions. Kriya delivers anti-reflection, hardness, anti-static, anti-fouling, NIR blocking, and UV protection from a single PFAS-free platform — one qualification, one supply chain.
The full refractive index spectrum
Nanoparticle science
Every coating in the Kriya platform derives its refractive index from engineered nanoparticles dispersed in a polymer matrix. Particle chemistry, size, morphology, and volume fraction determine the optical, mechanical, and functional properties of the final film.
Hollow SiO₂
SiO₂ (hollow)- RI
- 1.16–1.48
- Size
- 30–80 nm range
- Synthesis
- Key advantage
- Used to make coatings in range of RI 1.16–1.48
Titania
TiO₂- RI
- 1.60–2.00
- Size
- Typically below 50 nm
- Synthesis
- Key advantage
- Widest HRI range for visible-transparent coatings; NIL-compatible
Antimony tin oxide
Sb:SnO₂ (ATO)- RI
- N/A (functional particle)
- Size
- 8–20 nm
- Synthesis
- Key advantage
- NIR absorption; anti-static; 5G/RF-transparent
Tin oxide
SnO₂- RI
- 1.50–1.67 in coatings
- Size
- Typically below 50 nm
- Synthesis
- Sol-gel / hydrothermal
- Key advantage
- Electrical conductivity combined with optical transparency; medium RI tuneable
Magnetite
Fe₃O₄- RI
- N/A (non-optical)
- Size
- >100 nm
- Synthesis
- Key advantage
- Non-optical, ferromagnetic, >100 nm
Optical properties engineering
RI engineering via particle loading
By selecting particle chemistry (TiO₂ at n=2.4 vs SiO₂ at n=1.46) and controlling volume fraction from 5% to 55%, the full RI range 1.16–2.00 is accessible.
Optical dispersion
Refractive index is not constant across the visible spectrum. All dielectric materials show normal dispersion (RI decreases with increasing wavelength). This is modelled by the Cauchy equation:
n(λ) = A + B/λ² + C/λ⁴
λ in μm. Example: BK7 glass A=1.5046, B=0.00420
Dispersion matters for anti-reflective coating design: a quarter-wave stack optimised at 550 nm will have different reflectance at 400 nm and 700 nm.
Multi-functionality in a single layer
By combining particle types within a single binder system, one coating layer can deliver multiple functions simultaneously: optical (RI control), mechanical (hardness), anti-fouling (surface energy), and electrostatic dissipation (conductive oxide particles).
Mechanical properties
Pencil hardness by chemistry
| Chemistry | Pencil hardness | Fold cycles | Adhesion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Siloxane hybrid HC | 2H–7H* | 200,000 | 100% |
| Sol-gel (thermal cure) | 5H–9H | Limited | 100% |
| UV-curable 100% solids | 2H–7H | 100,000+ | 100% |
| Thermal latex | HB–2H | 500,000+ | 100% |
* Substrate and coating thickness dependent
Fold endurance mechanism
Foldable display coatings require a paradox: the coating must be hard enough to resist scratching (pencil hardness 3H+) yet flexible enough to survive 200,000 fold cycles at a 1 mm radius.
- —Inorganic backbone (Si–O–Si network) provides hardness and scratch resistance
- —Organic bridges (flexible alkylene segments) provide chain mobility under bending
- —Nanoparticle reinforcement (nano-scale particles distribute stress uniformly)
Adhesion engineering
Adhesion to polymer substrates (PET, PC, PMMA, TAC, CPI) is achieved through chemical bonding at the interface. All Kriya coatings pass 100% crosshatch adhesion per ISO 2409 on target substrates.
Physical properties
Hydrophobicity without PFAS
Traditional anti-smudge coatings rely on perfluorinated compounds (PFAS) for low surface energy. Kriya achieves water contact angles >100° through an alternative mechanism.
Electrostatic dissipation
Conductive oxide nanoparticles create percolating networks within the coating matrix, enabling controlled surface resistivity.
NIR blocking (solar heat control)
ATO nanoparticles absorb near-infrared radiation (780–2500 nm) through d-d electronic transitions. Interior temperature reduction: 9 °C. AC power savings: 35%.
UV protection
TiO₂ nanoparticles provide UV absorption via their semiconductor band gap. Coatings block >99% of UV-B and >95% of UV-A.
Manufacturing process
From molecular precursors to qualified coating batches: a controlled process at every stage.
Simplified process flow
Four chemistry families
Solvent sol-gel
1.16–2.00Widest RI span. Optional low-outgassing grades for vacuum-adjacent processes.
- Cure type
- Thermal (200–700 °C)
- Processing
- Spin, dip, roll, spray
- Key applications
- Display AR stacks, automotive optics, metalenses, photonics
100% solids UV-curable
1.34–1.65Zero solvent eliminates evaporation artifacts. Critical for NIL fidelity.
- Cure type
- UV cure (solvent-free)
- Processing
- R2R, NIL, screen printing
- Key applications
- Waveguide gratings, metalens structures, optical films
Solvent UV-curable hybrids
1.30–1.95The workhorse for multi-layer optical stacks. LRI down to 1.30 enables broadband AR below 0.15% reflection.
- Cure type
- UV cure (solvent-based)
- Processing
- Gravure, slot die, dip, float, spin
- Key applications
- Multi-layer AR, polarizer ULR, display hardcoats
Thermal-curable latex
1.36–1.50Water-borne. Simplifies environmental compliance. Coats heat-sensitive substrates.
- Cure type
- Thermal (low temperature)
- Processing
- Nearly any known application method
- Key applications
- Flexible substrates, general-purpose functional coatings
PFAS-free across the full range
Since ECHA proposed a universal PFAS restriction, the coatings industry has faced a structural challenge: low-refractive-index coatings historically depended on fluorinated polymers.
Twenty years of materials innovation
Nanoparticle technology spun out from Philips Research
Kriya Materials founded on Chemelot, Geleen — from nanoparticles to plug-and-play coatings
First OEM customer — a major Korean display manufacturer
500,000 kg antistatic hardcoat program (4 years) for a major Korean display OEM
Single global supplier of antistatic colour-filter coating for PDP
Launch HRI/LRI nanoparticles enhancing OLED
Shift Invest and Chemelot Ventures invest
Henkel strategic investment
Mass-scaled multi-functional AR coatings
Holland Capital joins as lead investor. Move to expanded facility in Nuth
Launch 100% PFAS-free LRI down to RI 1.16; 100% solids LRI (RI 1.37–1.41)
XR, metalenses, and photonics systems; 100% solids roadmap to <1.37 and >1.60 RI
Technology evolution: from single-function to integrated systems
Two decades of materials development have followed a clear evolutionary arc — each phase building on the previous to deliver increasingly complex optical functionality from fewer process steps.
Single-function coatings
Individual coatings performing one optical or mechanical function.
Multi-functional coatings
Multiple functions combined in single layers.
Integrated material systems
Complete optical architectures from a single platform.
Validated performance on glass substrates
Beyond polymer films, Kriya coatings perform on glass substrates at demanding cure temperatures — enabling applications in architectural glazing, automotive optics, and display glass.
Thermal HRI on display glass
LRI on glass for light guiding
Interactive tools
Explore the platform yourself
Six tools for optical design, energy modelling, PFAS risk assessment, and total cost of ownership analysis.
RI Platform Explorer
RI 1.16-2.00
Find coatings by refractive index, chemistry, or function across the full 1.16-2.00 range.
Try it→Calculation Model 887
-9 C interior
Estimate EV range extension and AC power savings from ATO solar heat control glazing.
Try it→Coating Stack Designer
R < 0.15%
Design multi-layer AR and functional stacks with real-time Transfer Matrix Method simulation.
Try it→Building Energy Calculator
35% HVAC saving
Quantify energy, CO2, and cost impact of ATO solar heat control glazing on commercial buildings.
Try it→Design your coating stack
Use the Coating Stack Designer to simulate multi-layer AR performance with real Transfer Matrix Method physics, or explore the full RI platform interactively.