Creative Engineers, Inc. (CEI)

What Creative Engineers, Inc. (CEI) does

Creative Engineers, Inc. (CEI) is a privately held chemical process engineering firm founded in 1996 in New Freedom, Pennsylvania, specializing in alkali metal and liquid metal systems handling. The company serves nuclear, chemical processing, aerospace and defense, semiconductor, medical device, and specialty metals customers — including the U.S. Department of Energy, Idaho National Laboratory, NASA, TerraPower, Oklo, GE, General Motors, SACHEM, and Materion — with capabilities spanning bench, pilot, and commercial scale. As of June 30, 2026, CEI operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oklo Inc. following acquisition, while continuing to serve its external client base. The firm employs approximately 20 engineers, fabricators, and welders with over 150 combined years of alkali-metal experience, and is free cash flow positive for five-plus years.

CEI's core technology portfolio centers on proprietary electromagnetic equipment — pumps, flow meters, and pressure transmitters with no moving parts or seals, rated for liquid metal service up to 1,500°F — alongside liquid metal heat-transfer systems, sodium naphthalene PTFE etching equipment, ASME U/UM stamped pressure vessels, and a superheated steam alkali-metal cleanup process capable of reacting several hundred pounds of sodium per hour at atmospheric pressure. The company also supplies specialty alkali-metal chemicals (sodium, NaK, lithium, potassium, fluoropolymer etchants) through direct sales and the KMR Dispersions joint venture, and operates ISO 9001-certified fabrication capabilities covering exotic alloys including Hastelloy, Inconel, tantalum, and titanium.

CEI generates revenue through four streams: project-based and hourly engineering services; one-time equipment sales with spare-part and calibration follow-on; specialty chemical sales; and registration-based alkali-metals safety training classes qualifying for 8 PDH credits. Go-to-market is sales-led and direct, relying on technical reputation, existing relationships, and industry referrals rather than broad advertising, with distribution partnerships (e.g., Columbia Sales International for sodium dispersion) extending reach for chemical products. The customer mix spans government, enterprise, education, and startup segments across multiple verticals, and pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed.

Name

Creative Engineers, Inc. (CEI)

Legal name

Creative Engineers, Inc.

Website

https://www.creativeengineers.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Creative Engineers, Inc. (CEI) is a New Freedom, PA-based chemical process engineering firm specializing in alkali metal and liquid metal systems, serving nuclear, chemical processing, aerospace, semiconductor, and medical device clients with proprietary electromagnetic equipment, pilot plants, and engineering services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Chemical Process Engineering Services

NAICS

Engineering Services (541330), Power Boiler and Heat Exchanger Manufacturing (332410), Chemical Manufacturing (325)

SIC

Special Industry Machinery (No Metalworking Machinery) (3550), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial & Process Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAF)

Keywords

• Alkali metal engineering
• Liquid metal equipment
• Electromagnetic pumps
• Chemical process engineering
• Pilot plant design

Headquarters

HQ city

New Freedom

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Engineering and Process Services: Chemical process engineering consulting, pilot plant design/build/operation, detailed process design, and project management services for chemical, nuclear, and specialty metal processing applications. Billed on project basis or hourly consulting.
2. Equipment Manufacturing and Sales: Design, fabrication, and sale of proprietary equipment including electromagnetic pumps, electromagnetic flow meters, high-temperature pressure transmitters, etch carts, and liquid metal heat-transfer systems. One-time hardware sales with potential for spare parts and calibration services.
3. Chemical Products: Sale of specialty chemicals including sodium metal (S-grade and R-grade), sodium-potassium alloy (NaK), lithium metal, potassium metal, fluoropolymer etchants (C Etch-A, C Etch-B), sodium dispersion, and metal hydrides/oxides. Through KMR Dispersions joint venture for sodium dispersion.
4. Safety Training Services: Alkali metals safety training classes and webinars. Qualifies for 8 Professional Development Hours (PDH). Private customized sessions available at customer facilities. Registration-based revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Creative Engineers provides specialized chemical process engineering, pilot plant design/build/operation, and proprietary equipment manufacturing focused on alkali metals (sodium, NaK, lithium, potassium) and liquid metal systems. The company designs and fabricates electromagnetic pumps, electromagnetic flow meters, high-temperature pressure transmitters, liquid metal heat-transfer systems, and fluoropolymer etching equipment; supplies specialty alkali metal chemicals; and performs superheated steam-based alkali metal cleanup, decommissioning, and disposal services.

Product overview

Creative Engineers, Inc. (CEI) is a chemical process engineering firm that offers a portfolio of specialized products and services centered on alkali metals and liquid metal handling. The core product line includes electromagnetic pumps, electromagnetic flow meters, and high-temperature pressure transmitters—all featuring no moving parts or seals for leak-free liquid metal operation. CEI also manufactures fluoropolymer etching equipment and supplies alkali metal chemicals. The company provides complementary engineering services including process engineering, pilot plant design/operation, fabrication (ASME-certified welding), and alkali metal cleanup/disposal. The portfolio is unified by CEI's specialized expertise in sodium, NaK, lithium, and potassium systems, with products and services designed to work together across bench-scale, pilot-scale, and commercial-scale applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Electromagnetic Flow Meters Measurement devices for liquid metal flow rates operating at temperatures up to 1,500°F (816°C), featuring no moving parts or seals, with accuracy to within ±2% of measured flow rate. Available in three standard models: EFM-1 (ultra-low flow), EFM-2 (medium-range), EFM-3 (high-flow). Targeted at nuclear, chemical processing, and high-temperature industrial users.
• Electromagnetic Pumps Sealless electromagnetic pumps for molten metals and alkali metals (NaK, sodium, lithium) operating up to 1,500°F, with no moving parts or seals to eliminate leak risks. Available in AC EM Conduction, DC EM Conduction, and FLIP configurations. Targeted at advanced reactor developers and chemical processors handling reactive liquid metals.
• High-Temperature Pressure Transmitters NaK-filled capillary pressure transmitters for process temperatures up to 1,500°F (815°C), featuring customizable diaphragm materials (316/316L stainless steel, Hastelloy C276, Duplex 2205, Inconel 600) for high-temperature liquid metal service. Targeted at nuclear and high-temperature industrial instrumentation users.
• Liquid Metal Heat-Transfer Systems Modular, skid-mounted, and pilot-scale liquid metal heat-transfer systems utilizing sodium, NaK alloys, and lithium, including fired or electric heaters, process heat exchangers, pumps, cold traps, and integrated control systems. Targeted at advanced reactor developers, specialty chemical processors, and pilot plant operators.
• Fluoropolymer Etching Equipment Carts Portable etching systems for fluoropolymer tubing and wire processing, featuring proprietary glass tube etching sections designed for minimal etchant use and waste reduction. Targeted at fluoropolymer tubing manufacturers, medical device manufacturers (PTFE-coated wire and tubing), and aerospace wiring processors.
• Chemical Process Engineering Services Comprehensive process engineering services including conceptual and detailed design, PFDs, M&EB, P&IDs, process troubleshooting, optimization, and sustainability consulting. Targeted at chemical, nuclear, and specialty metal processing enterprises needing specialized engineering expertise for alkali metal and reactive chemistry systems.
• Pilot Plant and Skid-Mounted Systems Turnkey design, build, and operation of pilot facilities and skid-mounted process units for research and production, handling hazardous materials and diverse chemistries across bench, pilot, and commercial scales. Targeted at R&D organizations and manufacturers needing turnkey pilot plant delivery.
• Fabrication Services High-purity stainless steel and exotic metal fabrication including Hastelloy, Inconel, tantalum, and titanium, with TIG/GTAW welding certified under ASME Section 8 and AWS D1.6. Targeted at chemical, nuclear, and specialty industrial customers requiring corrosion-resistant and high-purity welded assemblies.
• Alkali Metal Removal, Cleanup, and Disposal Safe removal and cleanup of sodium, NaK, and other alkali metals from industrial facilities using the proprietary superheated steam process, including recycling and disposal for decommissioning projects. Targeted at nuclear operators, chemical processors (e.g., Dow Chemical, ExxonMobil, ASARCO), and decommissioning contractors (e.g., Energy Solutions).
• ASME U & UM Stamped Pressure Vessels ASME-certified pressure vessels manufactured under U Stamp (unfired pressure vessels) and UM Stamp (miniature pressure vessels) per ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section VIII, Division 1. Targeted at industrial and nuclear customers needing code-stamped pressure vessels for demanding applications.
• Alkali Metal Chemicals (Sodium, NaK, Lithium, Potassium) Supply of alkali metals including sodium dispersion (via KMR Dispersions joint venture), S-grade and R-grade sodium metal, sodium-potassium alloy (NaK), lithium metal, and potassium metal, available with custom sizing and packaging. Targeted at chemical, nuclear, and advanced energy customers needing high-quality alkali metal feedstocks.
• Fluoropolymer Etchants Specialized sodium-naphthalene-based chemical solutions (C Etch-A, C Etch-B) for selective fluoropolymer surface etching, available in formulations containing 1.5-4% sodium by weight. Targeted at fluoropolymer tubing manufacturers, medical device makers, and aerospace wiring processors needing bondable PTFE surfaces.
• Alkali Metals Safety Training 1.5-day in-person professional training course covering hazards, PPE, emergency response, and system design for sodium, potassium, NaK, and lithium metal handling, qualifying for 8 Professional Development Hours (PDH). Private customized sessions available at customer facilities. Targeted at EH&S managers, plant engineers, and chemical industry professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• 406 projects completed across alkali metals handling, pilot plants, equipment fabrication, and chemical process engineering
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers24 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and historical.

• Oklo Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 June 2026Oklo Inc. acquired Creative Engineers, Inc. on June 30, 2026, integrating CEI's specialized sodium and alkali-metal engineering capabilities to accelerate its Aurora reactor development. CEI has served as Oklo's technical partner for several years on sodium-related technologies. The acquisition allows Oklo to internalize critical engineering and testing functions while CEI continues serving existing clients across the broader nuclear sector. CEI adds a free cash flow positive business with approximately 20 engineers and fabricators to Oklo's operations.
• KMR Dispersions, LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partnership for manufacturing and supplying sodium dispersion. KMR operates a state-of-the-art facility in New Freedom, PA designed for environmental stewardship and safety. Current batch size up to 400 gallons with smaller scale unit for development work. Products include Na in mineral oil and Na in transformer oil for PCB treatment and remediation applications.
• Columbia Sales International, Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales agent for KMR Dispersions sodium dispersion products. Contact: 443-956-7133. Handles distribution and sales inquiries for sodium dispersion products including Na in mineral oil and Na in transformer oil.
• BASF / Callery Chemical DivisionhistoricalTechnology or IntegrationCEI founders Richard VanLieshout and Kevin Berry worked at Callery Chemical Company (now Ascensus, a division of BASF), the world's largest manufacturer of NaK, potassium, and potassium superoxide. CEI's expertise originated from experience designing and operating alkali metal processing facilities at Callery.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ascensus (formerly Callery Chemical, BASF division): Ascensus is the world's largest manufacturer of NaK, potassium, and potassium superoxide — the same product set CEI's founders built their expertise around at the former Callery Chemical Company. Both firms sit at the center of the U.S. alkali metal supply chain, and CEI's cleanup/handling services complement Ascensus's chemical production for overlapping nuclear and chemical customers.
• Holtec International: Holtec is a major nuclear technology and decommissioning contractor, including spent fuel storage, reactor decommissioning, and advanced reactor development. It shares CEI's niche of hands-on nuclear services, including sodium/alkali metal-adjacent decommissioning work, and competes for the same DOE and utility decommissioning programs.
• Jensen Hughes: Jensen Hughes is a global leader in process safety, fire protection, and risk consulting for hazardous and high-hazard facilities, including chemical and nuclear. CEI's alkali metal safety training classes and process hazard analysis services are directly comparable to Jensen Hughes's process safety practice, with overlapping customers in chemical and nuclear.

Broad incumbents

• Curtiss-Wright Corporation: Curtiss-Wright's nuclear and process divisions supply engineered equipment, instrumentation, and services to U.S. and international nuclear operators, including specialty instrumentation and engineered components. Like CEI, it serves DOE, national labs, and commercial nuclear customers, but at vastly larger scale and with a much broader portfolio.
• Babcock & Wilcox: B&W provides engineered services and equipment to the nuclear, defense, and industrial process markets, including heat transfer equipment, pressure vessels, and plant services. Its specialty in nuclear steam generation overlaps with CEI's heat transfer systems and fabrication capabilities, and both target DOE and commercial nuclear customers.
• Westinghouse Electric Company: Westinghouse is a global nuclear OEM and service provider covering reactor design, fuel, services, and decommissioning. While far larger and not alkali-metal-specialized, Westinghouse competes for the same advanced reactor and decommissioning budgets (e.g., SEFOR-style projects) and would be a natural large-scale alternative to CEI for sodium-related scopes.
• Tetra Tech: Tetra Tech is a large engineering and consulting firm serving nuclear, environmental, and industrial clients with process, design, and construction services. It is a competing provider of process engineering, pilot plant design, and project management for chemical and nuclear customers that might otherwise engage CEI.
• Alfa Laval: Alfa Laval is a global leader in heat transfer, separation, and fluid handling equipment, including plate, shell-and-tube, and specialty heat exchangers for chemical, energy, and process industries. It competes with CEI's liquid metal heat transfer system business for industrial heat exchange applications, though Alfa Laval does not specialize in alkali metal service.
• AtkinsRéalis (formerly SNC-Lavalin): AtkinsRéalis provides engineering, project management, and nuclear services globally, including CANDU reactor services and broader process engineering work. It overlaps with CEI on nuclear engineering services, process design, and decommissioning support for utility and government clients.

Others

• Kairos Power: Kairos Power is an advanced reactor developer using fluoride-salt-cooled high-temperature reactor technology. While it uses a different coolant than CEI's sodium/NaK focus, it sits in the same advanced nuclear ecosystem and represents a potential adjacent customer for specialized process engineering and high-temperature instrumentation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@CreativeEngineersInc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/624938

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Creative Engineers, Inc. (CEI)