Crystec Technology Trading GmbH

Company Overview

Crystec s a European trading company that has specialized in the import of machines from Japan, Korea, China and Taiwan. We offer sales advice and service support for these systems across Europe.

Many machines for semiconductor production, the production of LCDs or liquid crystal displays, the production of fuel cells and solar cells, industrial ovens, gas generators and oven accessories for corresponding systems can be supplied. Due to the existing product range of our partners, we have for some time now also expanded our sales range to include metalworking machines, especially ovens for the thermal treatment and hardening of steel parts.

Our most important partners are listed under the relevant sections below. We can also offer many machines from other manufacturers for the described applications. In Korea in particular, we have an extensive network of partners for high-tech systems, not all of which are listed on our website. We can procure both high-quality and very cost-effective systems and parts for you.

History

Crystec Technology Trading GmbH was founded in December 1994, originally as the European representative for JTEKT Thermo Systems (formerly Koyo Thermo Systems) based in Tenri, Nara (Japan). Before Crystec was established, JTEKT Thermo Systems had no representation in Europe. Crystec took over the business development and established itself as a reliable partner for the European market.
The initial focus was on the semiconductor industry. Over the years the portfolio was continuously expanded and today includes solutions for many industries, including:

Solar industry
LCD manufacturing
Smart Windows / intelligent glazing technologies
Fuel cell production
Industrial furnace construction
Gas technology

With two locations in Altötting and Nister-Möhrendorf in Germany, Crystec today serves a large number of customers across Europe. The company offers comprehensive sales, consulting and service activities and positions itself as a bridge between Asian high-tech manufacturers and European industrial partners.

Industries and Partners

Equipment for the Semiconductor Industry

Equipment for the semiconductor industry — especially furnaces and RTP systems — remain our core business. Our most important partner in this field is JTEKT Thermo Systems, Japan. Today JTEKT mainly manufactures vertical furnaces for all common processes, but still also offers horizontal furnaces and cabinet furnaces of all kinds. Specialties include systems for low-temperature processes from 120°C, such as polyimide cure or copper tempering, as well as high-temperature systems up to 1800°C for processing SiC wafers. Versions for research and development that offer the same performance as production systems but are compact and flexible are also available.

We can offer process automation including loading robots (AGVs), OHT (overhead transportation) systems and cassette stockers via our partners Castec and Daesung.

Equipment for LCD Manufacturing

The production of LCDs and OLEDs requires a wide range of equipment, most of which we can provide. These include screen printing machines, rubbing machines, spacer spray systems, ODF (one drop filling) machines, vacuum assembly machines, laminators, hot presses and autoclaves, tempering furnaces, cleaning systems, scribe and break machines as well as bonders. We have many partners in Korea and Japan who manufacture such equipment. In Europe, where most of our customers are located, manufacturers producing LCDs and OLEDs are rare. However, there are many special applications that require similar production equipment. Particularly interesting are LCD-like applications such as Smart Windows, for which our partner can already supply a complete production line.

Fuel Cell Production Equipment

Modern fuel cell manufacturing benefits from innovative technologies that originally stem from other industries. For example, lamination technology from the LCD sector can be effectively used in production. This technology enables precise and efficient bonding of individual layers, which significantly improves the performance and durability of fuel cells. We offer the appropriate production machines tailored to the demanding requirements of fuel cell manufacturing.

Gas Technology

We provide state-of-the-art technologies for efficient and sustainable gas and energy production. Our range includes nitrogen generators, oxygen generators and electrolyzers, which offer tailored solutions for industrial applications:

Nitrogen generators: Produce nitrogen on site using PSA (pressure swing adsorption) or membrane separation. Ideal as a protective or inert gas. Benefits: cost reduction, autonomous supply and high purity.
Oxygen generators: Supply oxygen using PSA technology, ideal for metalworking, chemical syntheses and industrial oxidation processes.
Electrolyzers: Produce high-purity hydrogen by PEM or alkaline electrolysis. Perfect for sustainable energy solutions and hydrogen economy applications.

With these systems we cover the full on-site gas production needs and offer solutions that reduce costs, protect the environment and ensure a reliable supply.

We also offer a wide range of exhaust gas cleaning systems, specifically developed for various industrial applications, especially in the semiconductor industry. Our solutions include:

Wet Scrubbers for Exhaust Gas Cleaning: these systems remove toxic gases and particles through intense contact with water or special liquids. They are particularly effective for cleaning water-soluble substances.
Combination Systems of Burner and Scrubber Units: These systems combine thermal decomposition of pollutants in a burner with a subsequent wet scrubber. Ideal for eliminating corrosive and toxic gas components.
Plasma Burners & Scrubbers: For particularly stable and hard-to-decompose gases such as CFCs, we offer systems that combine plasma burners for decomposition and scrubbers to remove the resulting toxic substances.
Dry Exhaust Gas Cleaners: These devices use adsorption or chemisorption to remove pollutants from exhaust gases. They are particularly suitable for applications with low pollutant concentrations or as emergency systems.

With these technologies, we offer tailored solutions for efficient exhaust gas cleaning.

Industrial Furnaces

We also have several partners from Japan, Korea and Taiwan in the industrial furnace sector, some of whom specialize in very special applications. In addition to furnaces for tempering, hardening and quenching, carbonizing and tempering, washing and product conveying systems are also offered, as well as the associated gas technology. The products to be treated range from powder to bulk material to large and heavy individual parts. Conveyor belts are often used for transport through the furnace. Rotary kilns are also offered for bulk goods.

Equipment for the Solar Industry

Many processes are used in the solar industry that are also used in the semiconductor sector. In the furnace area, more economical horizontal furnaces are used for doping wafers. These systems are offered by JTEKT Thermo Systems. Systems for the assembly of solar cells and the production of solar panels can be offered by our Korean partners Korea.

Management

Gerhard Lüdicke – Chief Executive Officer

Gerhard Lüdicke studied chemistry at the University of Regensburg, a prestigious institution renowned for its interdisciplinary research and practical approach to education. He successfully completed both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees, with a focus on Physical Chemistry during his Master's studies. Following his academic career, he joined RAS AG, where he served as a scientific project manager, leading the development of nanosilver-based surface coatings on resin and acrylic substrates. In 2021, Gerhard joined Crystec as Sales and Service Manager, and since 2025, he has served as the Chief Executive Officer, overseeing Sales and Service. His broad expertise is instrumental in driving customer care and the strategic growth of the company.

Sandra Kray – Chief Executive Officer

Sandra Kray holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology from the Technical University of Munich (TUM), one of Europe's leading institutions renowned for its excellence in research and education. She further advanced her studies at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm, a globally recognized leader in engineering and technology education, where she earned her Master of Science in Nanotechnology. Fllowing her academic achievements, Sandra gained invaluable experience at Infineon Technologies Austria AG in Villach, where she worked in product engineering and process integration for MEMS (Micro-Electromechanical Systems) components. In 2017, she joined Crystec as a Sales and Service Manager. Since 2025, she has been a key member of the management team, focusing on finance and administration, and playing a pivotal role in driving the company’s structural and financial growth.

Dr. Ralph Luedicke – Founder

Dr. Ralph Lüdicke studied chemistry at the prestigious Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich. He completed his PhD at Wacker Chemitronic GmbH in Burghausen (now Siltronic AG), a global leader in the semiconductor industry, where he focused on germanium transport processes. After his doctorate, he worked in plant sales, particularly for leading American companies. In late 1994, he founded Crystec Technology Trading GmbH, which has been successfully operating from the start. Today, Crystec operates worldwide, with a focus on the European market.