Search
English

Retsch More than 100 years of innovation

About us

The company was founded in 1915 by Friedrich Kurt Retsch. A few years later he registered his first patent in grinding technology: a mortar grinder that became famous worldwide as the “RETSCH Mill”.

This innovation replaced tiresome manual grinding with hand mortars which was the standard in laboratories at the time and earned RETSCH an excellent reputation in the international science and research community.

RETSCH’s philosophy is based on customer orientation and leading edge technology. This is reflected in instruments whose high-quality components are designed for perfect interaction. RETSCH products not only guarantee representative and reproducible results for grinding and particle analysis but also allow for easy and comfortable operation.

Company Video


Click to view video

RETSCH is part of VERDER SCIENTIFIC, which is a division of the continuously growing VERDER group.

The SCIENTIFIC Division of the VERDER Group sets standards in high-tech equipment for quality control, research and development of solid matter. The fields of activity cover sample preparation of solids as well as analysis technologies.

The well-known Verder Scientific companies have served research institutions, analytical laboratories as well as manufacturing companies in quality control and process applications for many decades with ever more sophisticated and reliable products which offer the solution to their individual task.

Heat Treatment

Elemental Analysis

Materialography / Hardness Testing

Milling & Sieving

Particle Characterization

Pharmaceutical Testing

History

Join Us in Taking a Trip Down Memory Lane:

1915
The company is founded by Friedrich Kurt Retsch in Düsseldorf.

1923
The company's first own piece of laboratory equipment is developed, a mortar mill, which becomes known as the Retsch Mill and is synonymous with the concept of easier and better laboratory work.

1950
Step-by-step implementation of grinding and sieving principles for quality control work in the laboratory.

1976
The company moves to new offices in Haan, which with continual enlargements, is where the company sits today.

1989
Retsch becomes part of the Verder Group. Gradually Retsch manages the transition from a family business to an internationally active company.

VERDER Group

Since 2000
RETSCH has been continuously expanding its presence by setting up worldwide subsidiaries and is now represented in Europe, Asia, Africa and North America.

2012
With the move to its new headquarters, RETSCH created optimal conditions for innovation and development. The modern location underlines the company's commitment to the highest quality in size reduction and particle measurement technology.

2013
Retsch revolutionalizes grinding with an entirely new type of mill: the High Energy Ball Mill Emax.

High Energy Ball Mill Emax

2015
Retsch celebrates its 100th anniversary and expands its products range with a line of big crushers and grinders, Retsch XL.

More than 100 years of innovation

2021
With the MM 500 control, RETSCH is launching the first ball mill that allows precise monitoring and control of the temperature during the grinding process.

Mixer Mill MM 500 control

2025
Retsch introduces the SM 50, the first cutting mill with a removable grinding chamber.

Cutting Mill SM 50

The Verder DNA

  • Passion We are committed to what we do – that’s why our work gives us satisfaction and has an impact on our lives.
  • Improve With the company’s best interest at heart, we encourage each other to try new ways and learn from our mistakes.
  • Detail We go to the source of everything to make sure we get the whole picture and make fact-based decisions.
  • Responsibility By taking ownership, we tackle problems and work hard to find the best solutions.
  • Family We work together as a family by communicating with each other honestly and openly.

ESG - Making an impact

The Verder Group enables progress through a clear focus on our enviroment, our social surroundings and on solid governance.

Environmental

  • Enable reduced ecological footprints
  • Energy-neutral own buildings 
  • Implement ISO 14001 in our production facilities
  • Recycle & re-use in all our facilities
  • Greener travel
  • Water consumption management
  • A tree for every employee

Social

  • Enable peoples progress & wellbeing
  • Safe & secure working environment
  • Fruits & sports initiatives
  • Increase & improve digital learning
  • Support inclusive teams
  • Donate to charity for children & education
  • Sponsor our local communities on education & sports

Governance

  • Enable responsible conduct
  • Train 100% of our people yearly on our Purpose & DNA
  • Train 100% of our people on Verder’s CoBP every 3 years
  • Train relevant people yearly on compliance topics
  • Pragmatic reporting on ESG and as of 2025 CSRD report yearly published