Following the development of the Layer-by-layer encapsulation at Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, five Max Planck scientists founded the start-up company Capsulution in 2001. The main focus of this startup was the encapsulation and delayed, or triggered, release of active pharmaceutical ingredients. In parallel, under the direction of the chemist Dr. Lars Dähne, successful research was ongoing on the application of LbL technology in non-pharmaceutical fields.

The increase in the succcess and importance of non-pharmaceutical applications eventually led to the starting of the spin-off company Surflay Nanotec GmbH in 2008 by Dr. Lars Dähne. Four employees of Capsulution joined the company shortly afterwards.

Through development of numerous innovative applications, Surflay has continued to grow and can now boast a team of 12 interdisciplinary scientists.

With modern equipment, excellent networking possibilities and a prime location in technology park Berlin-Adlershof, Surflay is at the cutting edge of polymer and surface science as well as microsensors. In the last 10 years, the company has helped academic and industrial partners develop highly valuable technologies and products – always rapidly and with a passion for science.