Kanthal

What Kanthal does

Kanthal, founded in 1931 and headquartered in Hallstahammar, Sweden, is a global manufacturer of industrial heating technology products and resistance materials, operating as a division of publicly listed Alleima AB (spun off from Sandvik in 2022). The company produces iron-chromium-aluminum (FeCrAl) alloys including advanced powder metallurgy grades (Kanthal APM and APMT), nickel-chromium (NiCr) alloys (Nikrothal series), silicon carbide heating elements (Globar), molybdenum disilicide elements (Kanthal Super), and engineered modules such as Tubothal cartridge heaters, Fibrothal heating modules, and Superthal heating modules. These products operate at temperatures up to 1,850°C and serve as the heating core of industrial furnaces used in heat treatment, steelmaking, aluminum processing, glass production, semiconductor fabrication, and battery material processing. Core technology differentiators include proprietary powder metallurgy processes that produce fine grain structures (30-50μm) yielding 2-4x longer element lifespan versus NiCr alternatives, and Al2O3 oxide layer formation providing superior carburization and sulfur resistance.

Kanthal sells exclusively through B2B channels to enterprise industrial customers via direct field sales supplemented by a global eShop portal for approved business customers. Pricing is quote-based with no public disclosure, and revenue is generated primarily through hardware sales of heating elements, wire/strip materials, radiant tubes, and complete heating modules, complemented by customized solutions such as Thermaltek-branded equipment for the U.S. market. Manufacturing is vertically integrated across facilities in Sweden, Scotland, and the United States, with new capacity coming online in 2026 in Scotland (+40% capacity expansion), North Carolina, and Australia. Customer applications include decarbonization retrofits that convert fossil-fuel-fired furnaces to electric heating — yielding quantified outcomes of 1,400-2,000 tons CO2 reduction per furnace annually and 30% production capacity gains in converted systems.

The company's competitive position is anchored in 90+ years of accumulated metallurgy expertise, a registered trademark family of 14 product brands, and deep embedding of Kanthal-specified heating elements into OEM furnace designs (e.g., Serthel-built, Dowa Mining, Snecma aerospace propulsion). Recent strategic direction is heavily weighted toward industrial electrification for decarbonization, with flagship partnerships in the EU-funded ELECTRA project and the India-Sweden LeadIT initiative addressing steel, cement, and hydrogen-based steelmaking decarbonization. While Kanthal is privately held as a division, its parent Alleima's public listing and active capital deployment suggest Kanthal operates as a strategically significant business unit within the Alleima group.

Name

Kanthal

Legal name

Kanthal AB (publ)

Website

https://kanthal.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1931

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Kanthal is a Swedish manufacturer of industrial heating technology — including proprietary FeCrAl and NiCr resistance alloys, silicon carbide elements, and engineered heating modules — selling exclusively B2B to enterprise customers in steel, aluminum, glass, battery, and aerospace industries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Heating Technology

NAICS

Industrial Process Furnace and Oven Manufacturing (333994), Heating Equipment (except Warm Air Furnaces) Manufacturing (333414)

SIC

Industrial Process Furnaces & Ovens (3567)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Furnaces, Kilns & Thermal Processing Equipment (IMAHAEAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Heat Treatment & Thermal Processing Furnaces (Hardening, Annealing, Induction) (IMAHADAI), Thermal Management Components (Heat sinks, TIMs, fans/blowers, thermal pads) (IMAGAJAL), Thermal Processing Equipment (Furnaces/RTP/Anneal) (HDAHAEAE)

Keywords

• Industrial heating technology
• Resistance heating materials
• Furnace heating elements
• Electric heating systems
• High-temperature alloys

Headquarters

HQ city

Hallstahammar

HQ country

Sweden

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Heating Elements and Materials: Kanthal generates revenue through the sale of industrial heating elements, resistance materials, and furnace products to manufacturing customers across steel, aluminum, automotive, electronics, glass, and battery industries. Products include wire, strip, heating elements, radiant tubes, and complete heating modules sold on a project and recurring basis to industrial customers worldwide.
2. Customized Solutions and Services: Kanthal provides customized electric heating solutions including Thermaltek customized equipment (USA only), furnace systems for custom processes, and application-specific heating configurations. Revenue is generated through direct sales relationships with enterprise customers requiring tailored heating solutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Kanthal manufactures and supplies industrial heating technology products including resistance heating materials (FeCrAl and NiCr alloys), heating elements (silicon carbide, molybdenum disilicide, radiant tubes), heating modules, and customized furnace equipment. The portfolio spans wire, strip, heating elements, radiant tubes, and complete heating modules serving industrial manufacturers in steel, aluminum, electronics, glass, battery, and aerospace sectors. The company also provides Thermaltek customized electric heating equipment (USA only) including furnaces, kilns, and melters for specialized industrial applications.

Product overview

Kanthal is a leading global provider of industrial heating solutions, offering a comprehensive portfolio of heating elements, materials, and customized equipment. The product lineup centers around two main alloy systems: iron-chromium-aluminum (FeCrAl) alloys including Kanthal® APM, APMT, AF, D, and A-1 grades; and nickel-chromium (NiCr) alloys under the Nikrothal® brand (80, 60, 40, 70). The company manufactures silicon carbide heating elements under the Globar® brand and Tubothal® heating elements, along with modular systems such as Fibrothal® and Superthal®. Ultra-high temperature solutions include Kanthal® Super molybdenum disilicide elements. Kanthal also offers specialized products including bayonet elements, C-Mersion immersion heaters, air heating cassettes, flow heaters, and Thermotek customized equipment solutions. The portfolio is complemented by wire, strip, and thermocouple materials for the industrial heating industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Globar®: Silicon carbide heating elements for industrial furnace applications, operating at temperatures up to 1,625°C.
• Fibrothal®
• Tubothal®
• Nikrothal®
• Superthal®
• Kanthal® APM
• Kanthal® APMT
• Kanthal® Super
• Nifethal®
• Cuprothal®
• Alkrothal®

Products and services

• Kanthal APM (Advanced Powder Metallurgy FeCrAl Alloy) Advanced powder metallurgical iron-chromium-aluminum (FeCrAl) alloy furnace tubes designed for high-temperature industrial heating applications up to 1,250-1,300°C with superior form stability, oxidation resistance, and resistance to carburization. Used in industrial furnaces across steel, aluminum, and heat treatment sectors.
• Kanthal APMT (FeCrAlMo Alloy) Advanced powder metallurgical iron-chromium-aluminum-molybdenum (FeCrAlMo) alloy furnace tubes offering enhanced high-temperature performance, higher hot strength, and excellent creep rupture strength at tube temperatures up to 1,250°C for demanding industrial furnace environments.
• Kanthal AF (FeCrAl Alloy Radiant Tubes) Ferritic iron-chromium-aluminum (FeCrAl) alloy radiant tubes designed for efficient radiant heating in industrial furnaces with excellent temperature uniformity, superior oxidation and corrosion resistance, and thin wall design enabling faster heat response up to 1,200°C.
• Globar Silicon Carbide (SiC) Heating Elements Silicon carbide (SiC) heating elements providing high power density and excellent oxidation resistance for industrial furnace applications up to 1,600-1,625°C, serving high-temperature processes in steel, aluminum, glass, and electronics manufacturing.
• Tubothal Heating Elements High-power cartridge heating elements combining heavy gauge wire heater with APM radiant protection tube, featuring a unique design for optimal heat transfer and energy efficiency. Operates at up to 1,100°C with power output up to 45 kW/m, where a single Tubothal assembly can replace up to three standard heaters.
• Fibrothal Heating Modules Modular heating elements with metallic heating elements and vacuum-formed ceramic fiber insulation for flexible configuration in industrial furnaces. Includes light gauge heating elements, heavy gauge heating elements, and horizontal/vertical heating element variants, offering easy installation and replacement at element temperatures up to 1,350°C.
• Superthal Heating Modules Heating modules consisting of vacuum-formed ceramic fibre with integral molybdenum disilicide heating elements, designed for extremely high temperatures up to 1,750°C, providing high power output and uniform heat distribution in industrial applications.
• Kanthal Super (Molybdenum Disilicide Heating Elements) Molybdenum disilicide (MoSi₂) based heating elements designed for ultra-high temperature applications up to 1,800-1,850°C in oxidizing atmospheres, with multiple element grades available for varying industrial furnace requirements.
• Nikrothal NiCr Alloy Series (80, 70, 60, 40) Nickel-chromium (NiCr) alloy series (grades 80, 70, 60, 40 with varying nickel content) offering excellent corrosion resistance, stable electrical properties, and good mechanical properties for industrial heating elements and resistance applications from 1,100°C to 1,250°C.
• Kanthal D (FeCrAl Wire and Strip) Iron-chromium-aluminum (FeCrAl) alloy wire and strip material for heating elements, known for high resistivity and excellent oxidation resistance, used in custom heating element manufacturing across industrial applications.
• Kanthal A-1 (High-Aluminum FeCrAl Alloy) Iron-chromium-aluminum (FeCrAl) alloy with the highest aluminum content among Kanthal FeCrAl grades, providing maximum operating temperature and longest service life for demanding industrial heating element applications.
• Bayonet Heating Elements Heating elements with a bayonet-style design enabling easy installation and replacement in industrial furnaces, including specialized edge-wound ribbon bayonet elements featuring high power density and efficient heat transfer.
• C-Mersion Immersion Heating Elements Immersion heating elements designed for direct contact heating of liquids and molten materials in industrial processes, suitable for chemical, metallurgical, and process industry applications.
• Air Heating Cassettes Compact heating cassettes for air heating applications in industrial drying, curing, and heat treatment processes, designed for easy integration into industrial air heating systems.
• Flow Heaters Heating units designed for continuous flow heating of gases and liquids in industrial pipelines and process systems, including an optional flow heater control system for precise temperature management.
• Wire and Strip Materials Precision-engineered wire and strip materials in various alloys (FeCrAl and NiCr) for custom heating element manufacturing, including spray wire variants for thermal spraying applications.
• Thermocouple Materials Temperature measurement materials including thermocouple wire and sheaths (Thermothal brand) for accurate temperature monitoring in industrial heating applications.
• Radiant Tubes Radiant heating tubes for indirect heating in industrial furnaces, protecting heating elements from direct atmosphere exposure while providing efficient heat transfer in heat treatment and metallurgical processes.
• Thermaltek Customized Electric Heating Equipment Customized electric heating equipment solutions offering bespoke design and manufacturing for specialized industrial heating requirements in the USA market. Includes furnaces and kilns, melters and holders, and furnace systems for custom processes tailored to specific customer applications.
• Moduthal Heating Modules Heating modules designed for industrial heating applications, complementing the Kanthal portfolio of modular heating solutions.
• Nifethal (Nickel-Iron Alloys) Nickel-iron alloys for lower temperature resistance applications up to 600°C, serving resistance heating and electronic resistance applications.
• Alkrothal (FeCrAl Alloy for Lower Temperatures) Ferritic FeCrAl alloy for lower temperature applications including rheostats, braking resistors, and heating cables up to 1,100°C.
• Cuprothal (Copper-Nickel Alloys) Copper-nickel alloys for lower temperature resistance applications, used in resistance-based products across industrial and electronic applications.
• Kanthal Globar TE3 3DSiC Heating Element New 3-Dimensional Silicon Carbide (3DSiC) heating element under the Globar brand, designed for energy efficiency and extended service life in high-temperature industrial applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• CO2 emissions reduced to zero when using green electricity for heat treatment furnaces
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• India-Sweden Industry Transition Partnership (LeadIT)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 December 2025Kanthal participates in the India-Sweden Industry Transition Partnership focusing on decarbonization of steel and cement sectors in India. Seven joint projects involve electric heating technologies, hydrogen-based steelmaking, and carbon capture. Funded by India's Department of Science and Technology and Swedish Energy Agency. Supports India's 2070 net-zero target.
• Tata SteelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTata Steel collaborates with Swedish technology firms including Kanthal on hydrogen-based steelmaking and electric heating solutions for decarbonization projects under the LeadIT partnership.
• JK CementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJK Cement participates in India-Sweden joint projects on green cement production and industrial decarbonization with Kanthal's involvement in electric heating technologies.
• Ambuja CementscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmbuja Cements collaborates with Swedish technology firms on decarbonization projects including electric heating methods for cement production.
• Jindal SteelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJindal Steel partners with Swedish technology firms on steel decarbonization initiatives including electric heating solutions under the India-Sweden industry transition cooperation.
• EU ELECTRA ProjectflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerKanthal participates in the EU-funded €20 million ELECTRA project supporting industrial electrification across multiple carbon-intensive sectors including steel, cement, and aluminum. Cross-industry initiative promoting electric heating as alternative to fossil fuel combustion.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Sandvik: Swedish engineering group historically parent to Alleima/Kanthal and still active in materials, machining solutions, and mining; overlaps with Kanthal in industrial heating-adjacent materials and the same Swedish industrial customer base.
• Alleima AB: Swedish advanced materials company and parent of Kanthal — operates Kanthal as its industrial-heating division alongside tube and corrosion-resistant alloy businesses, with shared end markets and customer base.

Direct peers

• Heraeus: German precious metals and specialty materials group with a strong industrial heating portfolio (resistance alloys, precious metal heating elements); directly competes with Kanthal in high-temperature heating materials for industrial furnaces.
• Watlow: US-based designer and manufacturer of industrial heaters, thermocouples, and temperature control solutions serving semiconductor, medical, and process heating customers — closely comparable in offering and B2B industrial sales motion.
• Chromalox: US manufacturer of electric heat and control products for industrial and commercial process heating, including tubular heaters, immersion heaters, and high-temperature elements — directly competes with Kanthal across process heating use cases.
• Momentive Performance Materials: Global specialty materials supplier producing silicon carbide heating elements and ceramic components for industrial furnaces; directly competes with Kanthal's Globar SiC product line in ultra-high-temperature heating applications.
• Vulcanic: European manufacturer of industrial electric heating elements, immersion heaters, and process heating solutions for energy, chemicals, and rail — a direct competitor in the European industrial heating market.
• Backer Hotwatt: US manufacturer of custom electric heating elements and resistance heating products for industrial, medical, and process applications; closely comparable in tubular and cartridge heating elements.

Emerging players

• Thermcraft: US-based manufacturer of industrial ovens, furnaces, and heaters for heat treating, ceramics, and semiconductor applications — a niche direct competitor focused on customized thermal processing equipment.

Regional players

• Spaltschweisswerke Stadelhütte (SSW): German producer of resistance heating alloys (NiCr, FeCrAl wire and strip) serving European furnace builders; partial overlap with Kanthal's materials portfolio in the DACH region.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Kanthal

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Kanthal