Canatu Plc Press release 15 September 2025 at 9:00 am EEST
Canatu appoints Thomas Gädda to lead Semiconductor business unit
Canatu Plc today announces changes in its management team to strengthen its strategy execution and growth as a leader in advanced carbon nanotubes (CNTs).
Thomas Gädda has been appointed the company's new Semiconductor Business Unit leader, and member of the management team, effective 22 September 2025. In his new role, Gädda will be responsible for the company's efforts in CNT pellicle, inspection membrane, and other semiconductor-related areas.
Gädda (Ph.D., M.Sc. (Tech.), born 1977) joins Canatu from PiBond Ltd, where he held several senior positions, including Chief Technical Officer (2022-2025), Senior Vice President (2021-2022), and Director (2015-2021).
Canatu's CEO, Juha Kokkonen, commented:
"I am delighted to announce the appointment of Thomas Gädda as the semiconductor business leader at Canatu. This further strengthens our commitment as a global leader in EUV membrane technology for the semiconductor industry.
With Thomas's leadership and international semiconductor industry experience, we will continue to enhance our two business models-Canatu CNT membranes and Canatu CNT SEMI reactor sales-while deepening customer relationships and driving innovation. Please join me in congratulating Thomas and wishing him every success in his new role at Canatu."
As Thomas assumes his new role, Canatu announces that Heikki Heinaro has decided to move forward with his long-planned retirement. Heikki continues to actively support the transition, helping ensure Thomas's smooth onboarding as he takes the lead of the business unit.
"I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Heikki for his significant contribution to Canatu's success," continues Kokkonen. "Heikki first served as our Core Engineering Head from 2019 to 2021, and later as our Semiconductor Product and Business Leader from 2023 to 2025. During his tenure, Canatu achieved outstanding progress in both business and technology, and his leadership played a vital role in this journey. I am especially grateful that Heikki chose to continue with us for another year, supporting the company through the early stages following its listing - a gesture that speaks to his dedication and commitment.
On behalf of the entire Canatu team, thank you, Heikki, and best wishes for your well-deserved retirement."
As of 22 September 2025, the Canatu management team consists of:
- Juha Kokkonen, CEO
- Mikko Vesterinen, CFO
- Ilkka Varjos, CTO
- Tapani Salminen, COO
- Thomas Gädda, CPO, Semiconductor BU
- Jussi Rahomäki, CPO, Automotive BU
- Nedal Safwat, CDO, Medical Diagnostics BU
- Samuli Kohonen, CSO
- Mari Makkonen, VP, IR, Communications and Marketing
- Ann-Sofi Reims, VP, HR
- Taneli Juntunen, VP, Core Engineering
- Risto Laine, VP, Equipment Engineering
All members of the management team report to CEO Juha Kokkonen.
Thomas Gädda, CPO, Canatu Plc
Additional information
Juha Kokkonen, CEO, juha.kokkonen@canatu.com, +358 40 543 0367
Tuomo Vähäpassi, Board Member, tuomo.vahapassi@lifeline-spac1.com
Certified adviser
DNB Carnegie Investment Bank AB (publ), tel. +46 (0) 8 588 685 70
About Canatu
Canatu (CANATU, Nasdaq First North, Finland) is a fast-growing deep technology company creating advanced carbon nanotubes (Canatu CNTs), related products, and manufacturing equipment for the semiconductor, automotive, and medical diagnostics industries. Canatu partners with forerunner companies, together transforming products for better tomorrows with nano carbon.
Canatu's versatile platform technology has broad potential applications. Its current core includes CNT membranes for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) processes in the semiconductor industry, enabling more effective manufacturing of the most advanced chips, as well as film heaters for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) in the automotive industry. Additionally, electrochemical sensors for medical diagnostics are in the development phase. Canatu's patented CNT reactors and Dry DepositionTM method yield clean and pristine CNTs. The company operates through two business models: selling CNT products directly, as well as selling CNT reactors and licensing the related technology so that customers can produce CNT products under a limited license.
Headquartered in Finland, Canatu also operates in the US, Japan and Taiwan. Founded in 2004 as a spin-off from Aalto University's Nanomaterials Group, Canatu currently has close to 150 employees representing over 30 nationalities, with nearly 20% holding or pursuing doctorates. Discover more at www.canatu.com and follow us on LinkedIn.
