EVK DI Kerschhaggl GmbH - Comprehensive Analysis Report

Summary

EVK DI Kerschhaggl GmbH, an Austrian company established in 1987, is a global leader specializing in the development and manufacturing of sensor-based sorting and analysis systems. The company's core mission is to innovate solutions for the analysis and sorting of bulk materials, setting new industry standards. EVK is significant for enhancing industrial efficiency, optimizing resource utilization, and improving product quality and safety across diverse sectors. Its expertise lies in industrial imaging and sophisticated data processing, enabling real-time sorting decisions by analyzing and classifying objects in material flows. In January 2025, EVK was acquired by Headwall Group, a global leader in high-performance spectral imaging solutions, which further solidifies its position in the market.

1. Strategic Focus & Objectives

Core Objectives

EVK's primary objective is to provide comprehensive, sensor-based solutions for sorting, inspecting, process monitoring, and process control in industrial applications. The company aims to optimize manufacturing processes, increase sorting depth and product quality, and improve resource utilization for its customers, thereby increasing their profitability. Long-term goals include continuing its innovative spirit, expanding its product and service portfolio with state-of-the-art technology, and meeting challenges with ingenuity to provide comprehensive solutions.

Specialization Areas

EVK specializes in classifying and analyzing data using advanced hyperspectral and inductive imaging technologies. Its unique value proposition stems from combining sensor technology and data analysis into application-specific solutions, providing valuable real-time data about manufacturing processes. This includes solutions ranging from chemical composition, color, electrical conductivity, size, structure, and shape, which dramatically improve sorting accuracy for complex applications. The company offers complete solutions from data acquisition to decision-making for sorting, inspection, and monitoring system providers.

Target Markets

EVK's key markets span a variety of industrial sectors:
Recycling: Plastics, glass, metals, electronic waste, and paper.
Mining: Analysis and sorting of valuable minerals and raw materials.
Food Processing: Quality assurance, foreign body detection, and determination of ripeness, protein, and sugar content.
Pharmaceutical and Chemical Industry: Development and manufacture of sensor-based sorting and analysis systems.

2. Financial Overview

Funding History

In January 2025, EVK DI Kerschhaggl GmbH was strategically acquired by Headwall Group, a global leader in high-performance spectral imaging solutions and optical components. Headwall Group is a portfolio company of private equity firm Arsenal Capital Partners. This acquisition integrated EVK into a larger entity focused on expanding market leadership in hyperspectral imaging and industrial sensor solutions. The deal officially closed on December 31, 2024, but the financial terms were not disclosed. Prior to the acquisition, EVK DI Kerschhaggl GmbH was reported to have an annual turnover of 7 million EUR. The acquisition signifies a significant financial event and strategic investment, with Kroll's Transaction Advisory Practice having advised Headwall Photonics on the acquisition.

3. Product Pipeline

EVK's product line is a result of decades of innovation focused on increasing in-line sorting and inspection quality.

Key Products/Services

Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) with EVK HELIOS Hyperspectral Cameras:
Description: Industrial applications of HSI, capturing hundreds of spectral bands in the near-infrared and short-wave infrared range (930 nm to 1700 nm) to classify objects based on chemical composition.
Development Stage: Pioneered industrial HSI, with the first generation introduced in 2006. Continuously developed for industrial environments and continuous operation.
Target Market/Condition: Recycling for different plastic types, food processing for quality analysis, mining for ore sorting.
Key Features and Benefits: Robust design, high-quality calibrated spectral data at high speed, non-contact and non-destructive quantitative measurement of chemical properties (dry matter, protein, sugar, calorific value, moisture).
Inductive Sensor Technologies with EVK ABAS:
Description: Utilizes inductive sensors to detect ferrous and non-ferrous metals in material streams, providing spatially resolved information.
Development Stage: Actively deployed in sensor-based sorting machines.
Target Market/Condition: Recycling of metals, detection and sorting of various metals from bulk flows.
Key Features and Benefits: Senses electrical and magnetic properties of materials, precise metal detection and sorting.
Sensor Fusion:
Description: Combination of different sensor and camera technologies (e.g., hyperspectral, inductive, RGB) to enhance sorting accuracy.
Development Stage: Key innovation, used to logically couple different classification results for improved accuracy.
Target Market/Condition: Complex sorting applications requiring multi-modal data.
Key Features and Benefits: Improves sorting accuracy by combining data from various wavelength ranges and material properties (chemical composition, color, electrical conductivity, size, structure, shape).
Real-Time Data Processing Platform (EVK ALPHA):
Description: Powerful edge-computing platform for fast processing of spectral data, enabling real-time decisions. The EVK ALPHA G100 CS (introduced May 2024) combines multi-modal data classification with extended functionality.
Development Stage: Actively in operation, with continuous updates such as the G100 CS.
Target Market/Condition: Industrial sorting and process monitoring applications.
Key Features and Benefits: Real-time decisions based on chemical properties of fast-moving objects, supports up to 100 material classes, embedded processing.
Chemometric Software (EVK SQALAR):
Description: Software for qualitative and quantitative analysis of chemical properties of individual objects, used for developing chemometric models.
Development Stage: Active, with intellectual property rights acquired from Perception Park's hyperspectral imaging software for integration.
Target Market/Condition: Industrial applications like sorting complex plastic waste streams, monitoring and measuring user-defined properties in-line, at-line, and in laboratories.
Key Features and Benefits: Facilitates chemometric model development, increases product quality, consistency, and safety.

4. Technology & Innovation

Technology Stack

Core Platforms and Technologies: EVK's technological foundation is built on innovative sensor technologies and advanced data analysis with over 35 years of experience in machine vision.
Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI): EVK HELIOS cameras capture hundreds of spectral bands for chemical analysis of materials.
Inductive Sensor Technologies: EVK ABAS sensors detect ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
Sensor Fusion: Integrates various sensor data (hyperspectral, inductive, RGB) for enhanced classification.
Edge Computing Platform EVK ALPHA: Real-time data processing for quick decision-making.
Chemometric Software EVK SQALAR: Software tools for chemical material analysis and model development.
Proprietary Developments:
Pioneered industrial HSI applications, introducing the first generation of HELIOS cameras for recycling in 2006.
Developed robust cameras specifically for industrial environments and continuous operation.
Acquired intellectual property rights on Perception Park's hyperspectral imaging software to enhance SQALAR.
Offers complete solutions from data acquisition and analysis to decision-making.
Scientific Methodologies:
Application of established spectroscopic techniques including derivative spectroscopy and chemometrics for chemical detection and analytics.
Bridging laboratory metrology to the production line for continuous measurement of individual objects or bulk material streams.
Increasing integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) algorithms to enhance sorting accuracy, speed, and adaptability through real-time learning.
Technical Capabilities:
Analogue and digital circuitry, FPGA design and DSP programming.
Methods for industrial image processing in real time.
Optics and light sources.

5. Leadership & Management

Executive Team

Matjaz Novak (CEO): Matjaz Novak serves as the Chief Executive Officer of EVK. He has expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration with Headwall, highlighting the opportunity to combine expertise and technologies for enhanced solutions and expanded market reach.
LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matjaz-novak-aa46a512](https://www.linkedin.com/in/matjaz-novak-aa46a512)
Jasmin Haas (CFO): Jasmin Haas is the Chief Financial Officer. Her responsibilities cover the entire internal organizational area, including human resources, payroll, quality management, internal processes, administration, accounting, and controlling. She is recognized for managing project-based business challenges and financial forecasting.
LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasmin-haas-225384155](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasmin-haas-225384155)
Matthias Kerschhaggl (CTO): Matthias Kerschhaggl is the Chief Technical Officer and owner. The son of co-founder Peter Kerschhaggl, he upholds the company's innovative spirit. He is known for his persistence, visionary approach, and dedication to developing the product and service portfolio using advanced technology, with a strong customer focus. Before joining EVK, he was a Research Scientist at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University in Bonn.
LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthias-kerschhaggl-08a66687](https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthias-kerschhaggl-08a66687)
Paul Fuchs (COO): Paul Fuchs serves as the General Manager (COO). His objective is to provide customers with optimal service and products that meet high standards, helping them optimize manufacturing processes, resource use, and increase profitability through complete solutions.
LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-fuchs-922652b3](https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-fuchs-922652b3)

Recent Leadership Changes

A significant leadership change occurred in January 2025 with the acquisition of EVK DI Kerschhaggl GmbH by Headwall Group. This integration means EVK operates within Headwall Group's corporate structure. Matjaz Novak, EVK's CEO, views this as a major opportunity to merge expertise and technologies within the Headwall family. Mark Willingham is the CEO of Headwall Group.

6. Talent and Growth Indicators

Hiring Trends and Workforce

EVK DI Kerschhaggl GmbH has a workforce of 30 employees or "30+" co-workers. The company emphasizes that its team is its primary strength and driver of innovation, actively seeking driven, curious, and creative individuals. While a specific job board indicated "no available jobs," EVK's career page had shown active recruitment for roles such as (Senior) Firmware Developer, (Senior) Software Engineer, Hardware Developer, Constructor, Junior Hardware Developer, and Field Application Engineer, indicating an intent for team expansion. The company maintains close contacts with Graz Technical University and Graz University of Applied Sciences.

Employee Sentiment and Culture Insights

Employee sentiment, gathered from reviews, highlights EVK for its modern technology and workplace flexibility, which includes home office options, remote working, and flexitime without core hours. The company is praised for its excellent working atmosphere, strong communication culture, and high appreciation for employees. Employees value opportunities for personal and professional growth and the chance to contribute to pioneering products that promote a sustainable future and food safety. Occasional feedback points to potential areas for improvement in open-source contributions and support for junior developers. The company fosters an inspiring environment through team events and a focus on work-life balance, striving for individual solutions to enable employees to achieve their full potential.

Company Size and Expansion Metrics

With 30+ employees, EVK is positioned as a specialized technology company that aims for growth through innovation and expanded market reach, especially following its acquisition by Headwall Group. Its presence in Europe, Asia, and the United States, facilitated by Headwall, indicates a strategic global expansion.

7. Social Media Presence and Engagement

Digital Footprint

EVK DI Kerschhaggl GmbH maintains an active and professional presence across several social media platforms, referenced by various sources.
LinkedIn: The company actively uses LinkedIn to connect with professionals, showcase its work, and share company updates.
X (formerly Twitter): EVK also maintains a presence on X for broader communication.
YouTube and Vimeo: EVK leverages YouTube and Vimeo to share educational and demonstrative video content. This includes explainer videos and showcases of its smart spectral imaging solutions and technologies in action. Content covers demonstrations of hyperspectral imaging in recycling, food processing, and mining, as well as highlights of products like EVK HELIOS hyperspectral cameras and EVK ALPHA processing platforms. Videos demonstrate material classifications based on chemical composition, foreign body detection, and real-time processing capabilities.

Brand Messaging and Positioning

Through these digital platforms, EVK communicates its expertise in industrial imaging, highlights technological innovations, and engages with its community by demonstrating how its solutions contribute to efficiency, sustainability, and safety across various industries.

8. Competitive Analysis

Major Competitors

The market for sensor-based sorting and hyperspectral imaging is highly competitive.
Sensor-Based Sorting Machine Market:
TOMRA Sorting Solutions: Known for extensive product portfolios and global presence.
Bühler AG: A significant player with a broad range of sorting solutions.
Satake Corporation: Recognized for its sorting technology in food and other industries.
Key Technology, Inc.: Focuses on optical sorting, conveying, and processing solutions.
Hyperspectral Imaging Systems Market:
SPECIM Spectral Imaging Ltd.: A prominent provider of hyperspectral cameras and systems.
Resonon Inc.: Specializes in hyperspectral imaging systems for various applications.
BaySpec, Inc.: Offers advanced spectroscopic instruments and components, including HSI.
Diaspective Vision GmbH: Develops medical hyperspectral imaging solutions.
Headwall Photonics: Prior to its acquisition of EVK, Headwall was a key competitor and is now the parent company, operating alongside other acquired entities like inno-spec GmbH, perClass BV, and Holographix.

These companies continuously focus on enhancing product performance, reliability, and efficiency to meet evolving customer needs across industries like recycling, mining, food processing, and pharmaceuticals.

9. Market Analysis

Market Overview

The global hyperspectral imaging market is experiencing significant growth. One projection indicates an increase from USD 292.5 million in 2026 to USD 729.9 million by 2034, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.11%. Another report estimates the global hyperspectral imaging market size to grow from USD 17.60 billion in 2025 to USD 34.29 billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 8.69%. A third projection places the market size at USD 0.92 billion in 2025, reaching USD 1.83 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 14.7%.

This market expansion is primarily driven by the increasing recognition of spectral intelligence in decision-making, monitoring, and automation across diverse high-value applications, including precision agriculture, medical diagnostics, industrial sorting, and defense. Key trends in this market include the miniaturization of sensors, which allows for deployment on various platforms, and the growing