What GTP Schafer does

GTP Schäfer Gießtechnische Produkte GmbH is a privately held German manufacturer, founded in 1989 and headquartered in Grevenbroich, specializing in exothermic and insulating riser (feeder) systems used by foundries to control solidification during casting. The company sells a portfolio that includes the THERMO-Riser, PXT-PKXT-Riser, POINT-Riser, ECO-Riser, FILTER-Riser, FIBRE-Sleeves, and ISO-Riser lines, complemented by the proprietary NET-Technology platform (NETFrame, NETCore, NETSleeve) in which a fireproof fabric placed between the riser and the casting creates a predetermined breaking point, reportedly reducing cleaning costs by more than 80%. Specialized feeder materials include the THERMEX family (standard, fluorine-free THERMEX FF, low-fluoride THERMEX CB) and THERMISO for steel and non-ferrous applications; CERAPEARL 3D extends the line into 3D-printable moulding materials.

Revenue is generated primarily through direct sale of these consumable riser products on a quote-based Ex-Works basis, with prices adjusted via an AL-TZ formula linked to LME aluminum spot prices. Two digital services — SimLink, which connects customer riser portfolios to MAGMASOFT casting simulation software, and the GTP ToolBox data manager — are provided cost and royalty-free to customers as ecosystem tools that reinforce product specification. Distribution combines direct field sales supported by Applications Engineers, a network of country representatives, and a wholly-owned Turkish subsidiary, GTP ZENMET; customer references include GF Casting Solutions, Eisenwerk Martinlamitz GmbH, and VDL Castings Heerlen. The company is family-run, holds DIN EN ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications, and has won the British Foundry Medal twice (2018, 2022).

Name

GTP Schafer

Legal name

GTP Schäfer Gießtechnische Produkte GmbH

Website

https://gtp-schaefer.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Grevenbroich

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Riser Systems & Products: GTP Schäfer generates revenue primarily through the sale of its proprietary riser systems (feeders) including THERMO-Riser®, PXT-PKXT-Riser®, POINT-Riser®, ECO-Riser®, FILTER-Riser, FIBRE-Sleeves, ISO-Riser, and exothermic/insulating caps. These are manufactured products sold to foundries globally. The company also offers special products (Williams cores, riser feet, insertion pads) from one-piece series upward.
2. NET-Technology® Products: Sale of NET-Technology® portfolio including NETFrame®, NETCore®, and NETSleeve® — products based on the fireproof fabric predetermined breaking point technology. These are sold as part of the riser product range.
3. Digital Services (SimLink® & ToolBox): The SimLink® software solution and GTP ToolBox digital platform are provided cost and royalty-free to customers as part of the product ecosystem. These digital tools support the sale of riser products and deepen customer relationships.
4. Special Moulding Materials: Sale of specialized moulding materials including CERAPEARL 3D for one-piece core production using 3D printing techniques, and THERMISO for steel casting and non-ferrous foundry applications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

GTP Schäfer manufactures and markets a wide range of innovative exothermic and insulating riser systems (feeders) used by foundries to control solidification during casting. The offering spans a complete riser portfolio (THERMO-Riser, PXT-PKXT-Riser, POINT-Riser, ECO-Riser, FILTER-Riser, FIBRE-Sleeves, ISO-Riser) plus the proprietary NET-Technology line, exothermic feeder materials (THERMEX family, THERMISO), specialized moulding materials (CERAPEARL 3D), and complementary digital tools (SimLink, GTP ToolBox) for casting simulation and data management.

Product overview

GTP Schäfer is a manufacturer of riser technology products for foundries, offering an integrated portfolio of core riser systems (THERMO-Riser, PXT-PKXT-Riser, POINT-Riser, ECO-Riser, FILTER-Riser, FIBRE-Sleeves, ISO-Riser), complemented by the innovative NET-Technology line (NETFrame, NETCore, NETSleeve) featuring a refractory fabric for effortless riser removal. The company also provides supporting digital tools (SimLink for MAGMASOFT integration, GTP ToolBox for data management), specialized moulding materials including CERAPEARL 3D for 3D printing applications, special custom products, and technical services including application consulting and simulations. Their riser materials include THERMEX, THERMEX FF (fluorine-free), THERMEX CB (low fluoride), and THERMISO (insulating) quality variants.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• THERMO-Riser Highly flexible riser systems with a high degree of individualisation that can be set to meet individual requirements; a wide range of risers and caps with various accessories for foundry customers.
• Exothermic/Insulating Caps Exothermic and insulating caps designed for ramming up and insertion, used with fibre sleeves in foundry casting operations.
• PXT-PKXT-Riser Highly exothermic thick-walled riser sleeves specially designed for high-pressure moulding lines, enabling 60-70% shrinkage (up to six times higher than conventional sand risers) and reducing the necessary bearing surface by up to 90%.
• POINT-Riser Highly exothermic riser sleeve especially for use on moulding plants, enabling lowest contact areas for precise process feeding in serial casting.
• ECO-Riser Modular feeder system designed for solving challenges in the smallest of spaces, core packages, or closely neighboring casting sections; won British Foundry Medal 2018.
• FILTER-Riser Riser sleeve with integrated filter for yield improvement by reducing the requirement for complicated gating systems and circulation.
• FIBRE-Sleeves Conventional riser system for large castings with intelligent accessories and value-added components.
• ISO-Riser Cost reduction riser using POINT-accurate feeding made of non-ferrous metals for foundry customers.
• NET-Technology Innovative system using a fireproof fabric placed between the riser and casting to create a predetermined breaking point, enabling effortless riser residue removal and reducing cleaning costs by more than 80%. Includes NETFrame, NETCore, and NETSleeve components.
• Special Moulding Materials (CERAPEARL 3D, THERMEX family, THERMISO) Specialized moulding materials including CERAPEARL 3D for one-piece core production using 3D printing techniques, THERMEX highly exothermic feeder material, THERMEX FF fluorine-free variant, THERMEX CB low-fluoride variant, and THERMISO insulating feeder material for steel and non-ferrous foundries.
• Special Products (Custom) Custom special products including Williams cores, riser feet, and insertion pads for highly complex foundry requirements, available from one-piece series upward.
• Support Consultants (Application Engineering) Professional Applications Engineers providing application consulting and engineering support directly to foundry customers for riser selection and process optimization.
• Simulations Service Material and geometry data available in MAGMA simulation software, provided via SimLink for riser selection and dimensioning in casting simulations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduces cleaning costs by more than 80% compared to conventional riser removal
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GF Casting SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGF Casting Solutions is a key strategic partner for GTP Schäfer. The company cited GTP Schäfer's jointly developed solutions and innovative new developments as enabling them to offer optimum castings and expand market share. The partnership involves co-development of foundry solutions.
• MAGMA Gießereitechnologie GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationMAGMA is the developer of MAGMASOFT® casting simulation software. GTP Schäfer's SimLink® creates a digital connection between the GTP ToolBox and MAGMASOFT®, enabling direct import of riser data sets. Dr.-Ing. Jörg C. Sturm (MAGMA Managing Director) provided an endorsement for SimLink®.
• Eisenwerk Martinlamitz GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEisenwerk Martinlamitz GmbH is a foundry customer of GTP Schäfer that praised the company's short reaction times, decision paths, and innovative product portfolio as making it a reliable business partner.
• VDL Castings HeerlenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVDL Castings Heerlen is a customer of GTP Schäfer that praised short response times, professional advice, and good price-performance ratio, making GTP Schäfer an important partner.
• GTP ZENMETcoreOthersGTP ZENMET is a Turkish subsidiary of GTP Schäfer. It presents GTP Schäfer products at regional exhibitions (e.g., ANKIROS 2024 in Istanbul) and serves the Turkish and regional foundry markets with GTP Schäfer's riser systems and software solutions.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Foseco (Vesuvius plc): Foseco is the global leader in foundry consumables, including exothermic and insulating feeding systems (riser sleeves, sleeves, and toppings). It is the most direct competitor to GTP Schäfer, serving the same foundry customers with overlapping riser/feeder product lines and global reach.
• ASK Chemicals: ASK Chemicals is a major supplier of foundry chemicals, binders, and feeder/riser systems with a strong presence in iron and steel casting. It competes directly with GTP Schäfer in exothermic and insulating riser technologies, serving similar automotive and industrial foundry customers.
• HA International: HA International supplies foundry binders, resins, and complementary consumables including feeding systems. It is a direct peer to GTP Schäfer in the foundry consumables category, with overlapping customer segments and consultative technical sales motions.
• Pyrotek: Pyrotek provides engineered materials and consumables for the metals industry, including products for molten metal handling and casting. It overlaps with GTP Schäfer's scope of serving foundries with specialty refractory and exothermic solutions globally.

Broad incumbents

• Hüttenes-Albertus (HA Group): HA Group is a broad, established supplier of foundry chemicals and consumables worldwide. Like Foseco, it offers a wider portfolio of which feeding/riser systems are a part, in contrast to GTP Schäfer's sharper specialization in riser technology.
• Morgan Advanced Materials: Morgan Advanced Materials produces specialty refractory and engineered ceramic products with applications in metal casting. It is a broader incumbent serving overlapping end users (foundries) with a wider portfolio that includes materials adjacent to GTP Schäfer's exothermic/insulating riser sleeves.
• Allied Mineral Products: Allied Mineral Products manufactures monolithic refractories and specialty products used by foundries and metal producers. It is a comparable specialty refractory supplier whose products are used in similar metal-casting applications, though broader in scope than GTP Schäfer's riser focus.
• Saint-Gobain (Refractories): Saint-Gobain's refractory business produces industrial ceramic and refractory products used in metal casting. It is a large, broad incumbent whose materials serve similar high-temperature foundry applications as GTP Schäfer's exothermic and insulating sleeves.

Others

• MAGMA Giessereitechnologie GmbH: MAGMA develops MAGMASOFT®, the dominant casting simulation software, and is both a deep technology partner of GTP Schäfer (via SimLink®) and an ecosystem enabler. Inclusion reflects the close integration rather than direct competition.
• Imerys: Imerys supplies mineral-based specialty ingredients including refractory raw materials used in foundry riser and feeder formulations. It is a thematic/adjacent supplier in the value chain rather than a direct competitor to GTP Schäfer's finished riser products.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gtp-schaefer

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 GTP Schafer