What Petroceramics does

Petroceramics S.p.A. is an Italy-based advanced materials company, founded in 2003 as the first spin-off of the University of Milan and headquartered at the Kilometro Rosso Science & Technology Park in Stezzano (Bergamo). The company prototypes and manufactures ceramic and composite products for technical and industrial use, with a portfolio spanning Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMC) based on C/SiC, SiC-SiC, and oxide-oxide systems; high-temperature polymer matrix composites; solid oxide cells and beta-alumina solid electrolytes for energy storage; silicon carbide and nitride materials for medical, defence, and industrial applications; and carbon-carbon composites.

Its proprietary manufacturing toolkit centers on Liquid Silicon Infiltration (LSI) — protected by WO2012123907 and counterparts in EP, CN, and US — alongside Chemical Vapor Infiltration (CVI), Polymer Impregnation and Pyrolysis (PIP), and various sintering routes. Trademarked materials include ISiComp® (C/SiC CMC qualified at CIRA's SCIROCCO Plasma Wind Tunnel for ESA's Space Rider reusable spacecraft), C-preg400® (high-temperature polymer pre-preg system), CCMR, and the CCW sandwich architecture. The firm operates roughly 15 full-time employees plus 14 collaborators across HQ, a Lecce operational branch, and an Osio Sotto manufacturing facility, supported by capital-intensive equipment including 1766L pyrolysis ovens and 1325L vacuum infiltration furnaces.

Commercially, Petroceramics runs a hybrid B2B model combining R&D and prototyping services, customized component manufacturing, and licensing of patented technologies. It engages directly with industrial OEMs and government research agencies, anchored by long-term shareholder and customer Brembo S.p.A. (€8M+ of carbon-ceramic brake contracts over five years), co-development partner CIRA, prime contractor Thales Alenia Space Italy, and end-customer ESA. Go-to-market is driven by direct technical engagement, EU-funded R&D projects, and presence at composite-industry events such as JEC WORLD and CIMTEC, rather than reseller or e-commerce channels. The company holds ISO 9001:2015 certification (since 2008, renewed through RINA) and reports no disclosed funding rounds beyond a minor 2018 EISMEA grant.

Name

Petroceramics

Legal name

Petroceramics S.p.A.

Website

https://petroceramics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Petroceramics S.p.A. is an Italy-based advanced materials company that prototypes and manufactures ceramic matrix composites, high-temperature polymers, and solid-oxide energy materials for aerospace, automotive, defence, energy, and medical OEM customers, anchored by shareholder Brembo and the ESA Space Rider program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Advanced Ceramic Matrix Composites

NAICS

Clay Building Material and Refractories Manufacturing (327120)

SIC

Pottery & Related Products (3260)

akta.pro primary industry

Ceramic Powders & Slurries (IMAAABAG)

Keywords

• Ceramic matrix composites
• Advanced ceramic materials
• Thermal protection systems
• Carbon ceramic brakes
• Antiballistic ceramics

Headquarters

HQ city

Bergamo

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. R&D, Prototyping, and Fabrication Services: Core revenue derived from research and development, prototyping, and fabrication of ceramic parts and composite materials for technical and industrial applications. Services include analytical services, technological laboratory services, training, patent search, and third-party business development support.
2. Advanced Materials and Components Sales: Sale of advanced ceramic materials including CMC components for aerospace (thermal protection, Space Rider), automotive (brake discs), security/defence (armor plates), energy storage (solid oxide cells), and medical (silicon nitride implants) applications. Manufacturing of customized components to tight specifications.
3. Licensing and Technology Transfer: Revenue from patented technologies including the LSI process (WO2012123907, EP2686285, CN103547549, US2014072710), C-preg400® pre-preg system, and CCW sandwich architecture. Technology developed for third parties under PON Horizon 2020 and EU-funded projects.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Petroceramics prototypes and manufactures advanced ceramic and composite products — including trademarked ISiComp® and C-preg400® materials, ceramic matrix composites, solid oxide cells, silicon nitride implants, and antiballistic ceramics — for industrial and technical applications. The company produces these via proprietary processes such as patented Liquid Silicon Infiltration (LSI), Chemical Vapor Infiltration, and Polymer Impregnation and Pyrolysis, and also offers R&D, analytical, training, and patent search services.

Product overview

Petroceramics is a materials science and R&D company offering advanced ceramic and composite materials for industrial applications. The portfolio includes ISiComp® ceramic matrix composites for aerospace thermal protection systems, C-preg400® high-temperature polymer matrix composites, Solid Oxide Cells (SOCs) for energy storage, silicon nitride for medical implants, antiballistic ceramics for defense, and various carbide/oxide/nitride materials. The company provides manufacturing services including Powder Processing, Shaping, Pressing, Injection Moulding, various sintering technologies (Vacuum, Microwave, Gas Pressure), Chemical Vapor Infiltration, Liquid Silicon Infiltration (LSI), Sheet winding forming, and Needling. Solutions include analytical laboratory services, technological laboratory support, training, patent search services, and third-party business development support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ISiComp®: Ceramic matrix composite trademark developed in cooperation with CIRA - a Cf-SiC composite obtained by LSI process applied to pre-preg-derived carbon preform
• C-preg400®
• CCMR
• CCW

Products and services

• ISiComp® (C/SiC Ceramic Matrix Composite) Carbon fiber-reinforced silicon carbide ceramic matrix composite (C/SiC) obtained by Liquid Silicon Infiltration applied to a pre-preg-derived carbon preform, with SiC protective coating. Qualified at CIRA's SCIROCCO Plasma Wind Tunnel for Space Rider TPS; demonstrated reusability with 6 PWT test cycles at 1,250°C for 4,200 seconds total; withstands up to 1,650°C. Trademark registered.
• C-preg400® (High Temperature Polymer Matrix Composite) Carbon fiber-based polymer matrix composite that can withstand operating temperatures up to 400°C for short time exposure and up to 350°C for long time exposure. Obtained from a patented pre-preg resin system; available with carbon fiber in textile or UD form. Trademark registered.
• Solid Oxide Cells (SOCs) High-density electrolyte fuel cells operating at high temperatures (700–900°C) for electrochemical conversion of chemical energy into electricity and heat, including reversible mode for water electrolysis and co-electrolysis of CO2+H2O for synthetic fuels.
• Solid Electrolytes based on Beta Alumina Solid electrolytes based on beta alumina with specific compositions using dopants and stabilizers, featuring increased active area and decreased diffusion distance. Developed for electrical energy storage systems and batteries.
• Ferrite-based Permanent Magnets Inexpensive, non-harmful ferrite-based permanent magnets for energy conversion, developed under EU-funded project AMPHIBIAN. Targeted applications include motors, generators, medical technology, automotive industry, computer engineering, and household appliances.
• Silicon Carbide (SiC) Components Silicon carbide materials obtained by reaction bonding, sintering, and silicon infiltration, used in abrasives, cutting, drilling, grinding, and polishing tools.
• Antiballistic Ceramics (SiC/B4C-SiC/B4C) Advanced ceramic composites for defense and security applications including vehicle protection and body protection plates (including double-curved plates). Achieves density as low as 2.6 g/cm³ and 15–25% weight reduction compared to conventional antiballistic ceramics, produced via liquid silicon infiltration of SiC/B4C systems.
• Silicon Nitride Materials for Medical Implants Proprietary, patented silicon nitride-based materials (patent BG2014A000060) for spine prosthesis (cages and corpectomy devices) and total joint arthroplasty, featuring high flexural strength, high fracture toughness, high Weibull modulus, high wear resistance, biocompatibility, and hydrothermal degradation stability.
• Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Carbon (C/C) Composites Carbon matrix composites reinforced with carbon fibers, featuring high strength, toughness, thermal shock resistance, and low coefficient of thermal expansion, used in automotive and aerospace applications.
• Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) — CCMR and CCW Breakthrough class of ceramic matrix composites featuring high temperature oxidation stability versus metals and enhanced toughness versus monolithic ceramics. Controllable matrix compositions include Si, SiC, ZrC, TiC, TiB2, and B4C. The CCW (Ceramic Composite Wound) sandwich architecture combines CCMR with chopped fiber mix CMC in a co-molded sandwich via LSI, replacing ~50 vol% of expensive CCMR with cheaper CMC material for cost-effective brake disc manufacturing.
• R&D, Prototyping and Analytical Services Research, development, prototyping, and fabrication of ceramic parts and composite materials for technical and industrial applications. Includes analytical laboratory services, technological laboratory support, training, patent search services, and third-party business development support.

Quantifiable outcome

• ISiComp® demonstrated complete reusability through 6 plasma wind tunnel test cycles at 1250°C for 4200+ seconds total without any change in weight or mechanical characteristics
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CIRA (Italian Aerospace Research Centre)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIRA and Petroceramics co-developed the ISiComp® C/SiC ceramic matrix composite material through a collaborative R&D program. The material was developed combining CIRA's expertise in aerospace re-entry technology with Petroceramics' liquid silicon infiltration expertise. The material achieved qualification at CIRA's SCIROCCO Plasma Wind Tunnel for ESA's Space Rider program.
• European Space Agency (ESA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerESA is the primary end-customer for the Space Rider reusable spacecraft program. Petroceramics' ISiComp® CMC materials have been selected for the nose and body flap thermal protection system components of Space Rider, which is being developed under ESA with Thales Alenia Space Italy as prime contractor. Space Rider is planned for launch Q1 2028 on a Vega C rocket.
• Thales Alenia Space ItalycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThales Alenia Space Italy serves as the prime contractor for ESA's Space Rider spacecraft. They integrate Petroceramics' ISiComp® CMC thermal protection components (nose and body flap) into the Space Rider spacecraft. The dynamic structural qualification tests for these TPS components were successfully completed by CIRA and Petroceramics.
• American Ceramic Society — Italian SectionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPetroceramics sponsors the 'CMCs in Europe' workshop organized by the Italian Section of the American Ceramic Society. The two-day event, held at Kilometro Rosso Innovation District in March-April 2025, brings together leading European academic and industry experts on Ceramic Matrix Composites for high-level discussions and professional networking.
• AMPHIBIAN (EU-funded project)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEU-funded project aiming at creating inexpensive, non-harmful ferrite-based permanent magnets for energy conversion. Petroceramics participates as a partner developing materials for energy conversion applications including motors, generators, medical technology, automotive, computer engineering, and household appliances.
• University of MilanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPetroceramics was founded in 2003 as the first spin-off of the University of Milan, establishing an ongoing relationship with the academic institution for research and development of advanced ceramic materials.
• Kilometro Rosso Innovation DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPetroceramics is located within the Kilometro Rosso Science & Technology Park. The park provides an innovative, interdisciplinary environment. Petroceramics participates in Filiera dell'Idrogeno della Lombardia, a partnership of 34 Lombard companies including Petroceramics hosted at Kilometro Rosso Innovation District.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Morgan Advanced Materials: UK-listed global manufacturer of advanced ceramics, carbon, and composite materials serving aerospace, defense, energy, and industrial markets. Comparable to Petroceramics across CMCs, SiC, and high-temperature ceramic components, but operates at substantially larger scale with broad product portfolios.
• CoorsTek: US-headquartered global leader in technical ceramics manufacturing, serving aerospace, automotive, medical, defense, and semiconductor markets. Comparable to Petroceramics in advanced ceramic materials portfolio (SiC, silicon nitride, oxide ceramics) with substantially larger scale and broader vertical reach.
• SGL Carbon: German global manufacturer of carbon-based products and composite materials for automotive, aerospace, wind energy, and industrial applications. Comparable to Petroceramics' C/C composites and carbon fiber-based ceramic matrix composite work, with substantially larger scale and broader product lines.
• Safran Ceramics: Division of French aerospace group Safran, manufacturing CMC components for jet engines and rocket propulsion. Comparable to Petroceramics' aerospace CMC work and ISiComp® qualified material, though Safran operates at much larger scale with proprietary OEM-qualified production for major engine programs.
• Stelia Aerospace (Airbus): Aerospace tier-1 supplier (now part of Airbus) developing composite aerostructures and CMC components for commercial and space applications. Comparable to Petroceramics in the broader European aerospace CMC ecosystem and qualified-supplier base, but operating at OEM-tier scale with vertically integrated manufacturing.

Direct peers

• CeramTec: German specialty ceramics manufacturer producing silicon nitride medical implants, ceramic components for automotive and industrial applications, and high-performance technical ceramics. Closely comparable to Petroceramics' silicon nitride medical business and broader advanced ceramics portfolio.
• Surface Transforms: UK-listed manufacturer of carbon-ceramic brake discs for premium and motorsport automotive applications. Directly comparable to Petroceramics' automotive CMC brake disc business with Brembo, operating in the same end-market with similar carbon-ceramic material technology.
• Mersen: French global manufacturer of carbon, graphite, and silicon carbide materials for high-temperature industrial applications including aerospace, energy, and chemicals. Comparable to Petroceramics' SiC and high-temperature ceramic component manufacturing with established aerospace and industrial customer base.

Emerging players

• Haydale Graphene Industries: UK-listed advanced materials company developing functionalized graphene and other nano-engineered composites for aerospace, automotive, and industrial applications. Comparable to Petroceramics as a smaller-scale specialty advanced materials company focused on composite performance, though operating in different material chemistries.

Others

• Bodycote: UK-listed provider of thermal processing services including sintering, hot isostatic pressing, and surface treatments for advanced materials and components. Comparable to Petroceramics as an enabling service provider for high-performance materials, though Bodycote offers contract heat treatment rather than proprietary ceramic products.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/petroceramics

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

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 Petroceramics