What BJS Ceramics does

BJS Ceramics GmbH is a German specialty materials manufacturer founded in 2014 in Gersthofen, Bavaria, to commercialize silicon-carbide (SiC) fiber technology carved out of SGL Carbon SE. Together with its wholly-owned subsidiary BJS Composites GmbH, the company operates a vertically integrated, patented value chain spanning pre-ceramic polymers (Silafil®), ceramic SiC fibers (Silafil®), and ceramic matrix composites (Keraman® C/SiC and SiC/SiC). Production occurs at two German sites: a Gersthofen headquarters housing BJS Composites' CMC manufacturing and a Bayreuth R&D/pilot facility at Fraunhofer ISC/Centre HTL that constitutes Europe's only R&D SiC fiber pilot line. BJS Ceramics is the only SiC fiber developer and producer in Europe, with two Japanese competitors and one US entrant globally.

The company sells custom-engineered SiC fibers and pre-ceramic polymers to CMC fabricators and aero-engine manufacturers, alongside finished CMC components and machining/coating services to industrial pump OEMs and aerospace primes. BJS Composites' Keraman® shaft sleeves have a 20+ year commercial track record in pumps for power plants and desalination, with lifetimes exceeding 100,000 hours. Strategic initiatives center on SiC/SiC composites for next-generation aero-engines, components for space/re-entry vehicles, stationary hydrogen gas turbines, and fusion reactor linings. An approximately 10% strategic stake acquired by ITP Aero in April 2023 anchors BJS's entry into the European aero-engine OEM supply chain.

Commercial revenue generation is at a pilot-scale phase: first SiC fiber production went live in 2018, the Bayreuth pilot plant began step-wise spinning operations in September 2020, and an EU Horizon 2020 grant funded scale-up of the patented process to commercial stage. Pricing and revenue are not publicly disclosed; sales are project-based, consultative, and require direct technical engagement with enterprise customers.

Name

BJS Ceramics

Legal name

BJS Ceramics GmbH

Website

https://bjsceramics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

BJS Ceramics is a German specialty materials manufacturer producing silicon-carbide (SiC) fibers, pre-ceramic polymers, and ceramic matrix composites (C/SiC and SiC/SiC) for aerospace OEMs, aero-engine manufacturers, industrial pump builders, gas turbine producers, and emerging energy applications such as hydrogen turbines and fusion reactors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Advanced Ceramics and Composite Materials

NAICS

Artificial and Synthetic Fibers and Filaments Manufacturing (325220), Resin and Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing (32521), Clay Product and Refractory Manufacturing (3271)

SIC

Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860), Pottery & Related Products (3260)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial & Technical Yarn Manufacturing (High-Tenacity/Aramid/Carbon/Glass) (IMAOAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Composite Structures & Layup Manufacturing (IMABAEAB)

Keywords

• Silicon carbide fibers
• Ceramic matrix composites
• Aerospace ceramic materials
• High-temperature composites
• Pre-ceramic polymers

Headquarters

HQ city

Gersthofen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. SiC Fiber Sales: BJS sells ceramic SiC fibers commercially. The fibers are programmed and customized for specific customer needs, including confectioning and sizing. Commercial volumes became available end 2018/beginning 2019.
2. Pre-ceramic Polymer Sales: Sale of pre-ceramic polymers (SiC Matrix Polymer) for matrix infiltration, interface and component coatings, and PIP processes (Polymer Infiltration and Pyrolysis) to produce CMCs. Commercial volumes became available end 2018/beginning 2019.
3. CMC Component Sales: BJS Composites sells C/SiC and SiC/SiC composite components manufactured according to customer drawings, as well as services such as combining metal with CMCs, temperature treatments, coating, and machining.
4. Custom SiC Fiber Programming: BJS offers to program the properties of SiC Fibers and provides customization services including confectioning and sizing based on customer specifications.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

BJS Ceramics develops and manufactures Silicon Carbide (SiC) fibers and pre-ceramic polymers under the Silafil® brand, and Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) including C/SiC and SiC/SiC composites under the Keraman® brand through its subsidiary BJS Composites GmbH. The company operates a vertically integrated, patented production value chain from raw pre-ceramic polymer synthesis through fiber spinning, pyrolysis, and sintering to finished CMC components, serving aerospace, aero-engine, space, energy, and industrial pump markets.

Product overview

BJS Ceramics operates two distinct but vertically integrated business units — BJS Ceramics GmbH and BJS Composites GmbH — both headquartered in Gersthofen, Germany. BJS Ceramics GmbH, founded in 2014 by acquiring the SiC Fiber business from SGL Carbon SE, develops and produces Silicon Carbide (SiC) Fibers and pre-ceramic polymers under the Silafil® brand. BJS Composites GmbH, established in 2015 through acquisition of MT Aerospace's ceramic division, manufactures Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) — specifically C/SiC and SiC/SiC composites — under the Keraman® brand. The two companies together form a proprietary, patented value chain spanning from pre-ceramic matrix polymers and SiC fibers to finished CMC components, serving aerospace, aero-engine, space, energy, water management, and industrial pump applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Silafil®: Trademark for SiC Fibers and preceramic polymers produced by BJS Ceramics GmbH. Includes pre-ceramic polymers for matrix infiltration, interface and component coatings, programming of ceramic SiC fibers, and ceramic SiC fibers for reinforcement of CMC components.
• Keraman®

Products and services

• Silafil® Pre-ceramic Polymers (SiC Matrix Polymer) Pre-ceramic polymers supplied as liquids or powders used for matrix infiltration, interface and component coatings, and PIP (Polymer Infiltration and Pyrolysis) processes to produce Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs). Used by CMC manufacturers and R&D organizations needing SiC matrix and coating materials.
• Silafil® Silicon Carbide (SiC) Fibers Ceramic SiC fibers offering high mechanical strength, resistance against aggressive media and atmospheres, and excellent stability at temperatures up to 1,500°C without losing mechanical strength. Fibers are programmable and customized (confectioning and sizing) for specific customer needs and processed into fabrics for preforming CMC components. Sold to aerospace OEMs, aero-engine manufacturers, gas turbine producers, and CMC fabricators.
• Keraman® Carbon Fiber reinforced Silicon Carbide Composites (C/SiC Composites) C/SiC composites (Carbon Fiber reinforced Silicon Carbide) offered as standard products or as custom components manufactured according to customer drawings. Used in friction, aerospace, and industrial high-temperature applications. Customers include aerospace manufacturers and industrial pump OEMs.
• Keraman® SiC Fiber reinforced Silicon Carbide Composites (SiC/SiC Composites) SiC/SiC composites (Silicon Carbide Fiber reinforced Silicon Carbide) offered as standard products or custom components manufactured according to customer drawings. Lightweight (one-third the weight of super-alloys), withstand extreme temperatures, and essential for next-generation aero-engines operating at higher temperatures for improved fuel efficiency and reduced CO2 and noise emissions. Sold to aerospace OEMs and aero-engine manufacturers.
• Keraman® CMC Shaft Sleeves for High-Performance Pumps Custom-manufactured Keraman® CMC shaft sleeves for slide bearings in heavy-duty industrial pumps including chemical pumps, refinery pumps, water pumps, and cryogenic turbo pumps. Withstand high temperatures, thermal shocks, aggressive media, and mechanical stresses with lifetimes generally exceeding 100,000 hours. Supplied to industrial pump OEMs and operators including KSB Aktiengesellschaft.
• CMC Machining and Custom Fabrication Services BJS Composites offers custom CMC fabrication services including combining metal with CMCs, temperature treatments up to 1,340°C in different atmospheres, coating of components, and machining with excellent dimensional accuracy (surface grinding, cylindrical grinding) according to customer drawings. Sold to aerospace manufacturers and industrial OEMs requiring finished, ready-to-install CMC parts.

Quantifiable outcome

• SiC/SiC composites weigh only one-third of super-alloys, reducing weight in aero-engine designs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ITP AerocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 April 2023ITP Aero, the leading Spanish company for aero-engine components headquartered in Bilbao, acquired approximately 10% stake in BJS Ceramics in April 2023. Both companies agreed to close cooperation to develop next generation ceramic fibers and their application into Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) for next generation aero-engines. This partnership enables ITP Aero to access SiC fibers and accelerate its strategy to develop CMC components with a secure all-European supply chain. BJS gains a capable long-term partner to expand fiber competencies throughout Europe.
• MT Aerospace AGminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 March 2015In March 2015, MT Aerospace AG sold its Ceramic Composites business unit to BJS Composites GmbH. BJS acquired buildings, facilities, ongoing supply contracts, patents, and trademark rights at the Gersthofen site. Existing jobs were preserved. MT Aerospace focuses on its core competencies (Ariane 6 development) while continuing close collaboration with BJS in space applications. The acquired ceramic components were used in the IXV space glider's steering flaps, which withstood over 1900°C during re-entry.
• Fraunhofer ISC (Institute for Silicate Research)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBJS cooperates with Fraunhofer ISC in Würzburg and Bayreuth, Germany on flagship projects including the SiC fiber pilot plant development. Fraunhofer ISC / Centre HTL in Bayreuth hosts Europe's only R&D SiC fiber pilot line where BJS executes its SPE project. The collaboration spans over 10 years of joint development of SiC fiber know-how and expertise.
• KSB AktiengesellschaftminorOthersKSB Aktiengesellschaft is an internationally renowned pump producer and a proud supplier/partner of BJS Composites. Keraman® CMC sleeves have been commercially introduced in tubular casing pumps for power plants and seawater desalination stations for many years. BJS supplies CMC components for integration into KSB's pump products.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• NGS Advanced Fibers Co., Ltd. Japanese producer of Tyranno™ SiC fibers and a direct competitor to BJS's Silafil® brand. NGS is one of only two commercial SiC fiber producers globally and serves aerospace, industrial, and nuclear applications.
• Ube Industries (UBE Corporation): Japanese chemical and materials company producing Tyranno SA™ SiC fiber, a direct competitor to BJS in the SiC fiber market. Ube has decades of incumbency in advanced ceramic fibers for aerospace and industrial uses.
• Specialty Materials, Inc. US-based producer of SCS-6™ and SCS-Ultra™ silicon carbide fibers for aerospace, defense, and nuclear applications. Founded the third SiC fiber source globally (post-Japanese incumbents) and competes head-to-head with BJS in defense/aerospace markets.

Broad incumbents

• Rolls-Royce (COI Ceramics / Hyper-Therm): Acquired COI Ceramics (San Diego) for SiC/SiC CMC components and Hyper-Therm High-Temperature Composites; serves as both a potential customer and competitor to BJS in next-generation aero-engine CMC hot-section parts.
• Safran Ceramics: Safran's in-house CMC R&D and production arm (a subsidiary of Safran SA) develops and manufactures SiC/SiC and oxide/oxide CMC components for LEAP and future CFM RISE/Prometheus engines. Represents both a major customer-of-competitor and a competitor for CMC value-chain margin.
• GE Aerospace: Major aero-engine OEM that has invested heavily in SiC/SiC CMC technology for the LEAP and future RISE engines, including partnerships with materials suppliers; competes for CMC value capture and influences demand for SiC fibers globally.
• Pratt & Whitney: Aero-engine OEM developing CMC technology for the geared turbofan (GTF) and future programs. As a customer of SiC fiber and a vertically integrated CMC developer, Pratt & Whitney is both a potential BJS customer and a competitive threat for downstream value capture.
• CeramTec GmbH: German technical ceramics manufacturer producing advanced ceramics for medical, automotive, and industrial applications. While not a direct SiC fiber competitor, CeramTec is a European advanced ceramics peer of comparable scale and serves adjacent high-performance ceramic applications.
• CoorsTek: US-based global manufacturer of technical ceramics including silicon carbide. As a larger, established ceramics incumbent, CoorsTek competes in adjacent advanced-ceramic and CMC markets and represents a potential strategic acquirer of BJS.

Regional players

• MTU Aero Engines: German aero-engine manufacturer and European Tier-1 supplier for military and commercial engines. As a regional aerospace player pursuing CMC adoption, MTU is a logical European customer for BJS's SiC fibers and CMCs and represents an adjacent comparability anchor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bjs-ceramics-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BJS Ceramics