Tufnol Composites

What Tufnol Composites does

Tufnol Composites Ltd is a UK-based manufacturer of high-pressure laminated composites and thermosetting resin-bonded engineering materials, with manufacturing roots going back to the 1920s. The company produces a portfolio of paper-based (SRBP), cotton fabric (SRBF), and glass fabric (SRBGF, SRGBF) laminates using phenolic, epoxy, silicone, and polyimide resin systems combined with reinforcements such as paper, cotton cloth, woven glass fabric, carbon fibre, and Kevlar. Beyond stock shapes (sheets, rods, tubes) sold under proprietary brand names such as Bear Brand, Carp Brand, Whale Brand, Vole Brand, Crow Brand, Kite Brand, and Heron Brand, Tufnol runs one of Europe's largest CNC machining centres at its Birmingham site, processing millions of components per year, and offers custom hot-press moulding for complex geometries that cannot be cut from standard stock. A 2024-developed resin infusion process and a 2023 coordinate measuring machine investment extend the portfolio into larger moulded structures and legacy component reverse engineering, respectively.

The company serves blue-chip enterprise customers across multiple demanding verticals: aerospace (Airbus fuel tank components for the A400M, Boeing 737 edge packers, NASA-qualified satellite parts), marine (BAE Systems-approved grades, CE&A Marine bearings), rail (Network Rail, London Underground handrails), electrical (Siemens, Schneider Electric insulation), oil & gas (Trillium, Balmoral, Celeros), and construction (Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors for Queensferry Crossing). Operations are anchored at the Birmingham manufacturing facility, with the registered office in Gloucester and regional sales offices in the USA (operated by Diamorph Inc.), Italy, Germany, and Czech Republic, plus distributor coverage in Southern Africa via DEMS. Tufnol Composites Ltd is a private subsidiary of Permali Gloucester Ltd within the Diamorph Group, generating revenue through one-time sales of engineered materials and precision-machined custom components on a quote basis (pricing is not publicly disclosed), under AS 9100 Revision D, ISO 9001:2015, and JOSCAR quality accreditations.

Growth activity is incremental and capability-led rather than transformational: a new resin infusion process (2024), a coordinate measuring machine (2023), and ongoing regional office maintenance. Customer relationships are long-tenured, anchored by qualified status in regulated end-markets, and the business is privately held within a diversified industrial materials group, with no disclosed funding rounds, acquisitions, or leadership changes in the source material.

Name

Tufnol Composites

Legal name

Tufnol Composites Ltd

Website

https://tufnol.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1920

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Tufnol Composites Ltd is a UK manufacturer of laminated engineering composites (paper, cotton, glass-fabric, and specialty grades) and CNC-machined bespoke components, serving blue-chip enterprise customers across aerospace, marine, rail, electrical, oil & gas, and construction from Birmingham with regional sales offices across Europe and the USA.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Engineering Composite Materials and Laminated Plastics

NAICS

Laminated Plastics Plate, Sheet (except Packaging), and Shape Manufacturing (326130)

SIC

Plastics Products, Nec (3089), Electronic Components & Accessories (3670)

akta.pro primary industry

Coated & Laminated Industrial Fabrics (Tarpaulins/Awnings/Inflatables/Architectural Membranes) (IMAOADAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Composite Structures & Layup Manufacturing (IMABAEAB)

Keywords

• Laminated composites
• Engineering plastics
• Phenolic laminates
• Bearing materials
• CNC machining services

Headquarters

HQ city

Birmingham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Composite Materials and Laminates: Sale of engineered composite materials including paper-based laminates, cotton fabric laminates, glass fabric laminates, bearing grades, and specialty materials in various forms (sheets, rods, tubes). Materials are sold as standard stock shapes and custom-specified products.
2. CNC Machined Components: Precision CNC machining services for laminated composites and engineering plastics, producing bespoke components from customer specifications. Components range from small precision parts to large-scale components for offshore installations. Millions of components pass through the Birmingham facility each year.
3. Custom-Moulded Laminate Components: Hot-press moulded custom laminated components in complex shapes that cannot be machined from standard sheets or tubes. Produces bespoke custom composites for sophisticated engineering applications.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Tufnol manufactures and sells engineered laminated composite materials (paper-based, cotton fabric, and glass fabric laminates using phenolic, epoxy, silicone, and polyimide resin systems) in stock shapes and custom-moulded forms, together with precision CNC-machined components produced to customer specifications. The company supplies engineered bearing grades, specialty composites, engineering thermoplastics, vulcanised fibre sheet, and moulded stand-off insulators for technically demanding industrial applications. Materials and finished components are sold directly to enterprise customers in aerospace, marine, rail, electrical, construction, and oil & gas sectors through a technical field-sales motion backed by in-house machining.

Product overview

Tufnol Composites is a manufacturer of engineering composite materials and laminated plastics with over 90 years of experience. The product portfolio consists of three main families of laminates (Fabric Laminates/SRBF, Paper Laminates/SRBP, and Glass Fabric Laminates/SRBGF) along with specialized bearing grades, thermoplastic materials, and custom manufacturing capabilities. Fabric laminates include brand-named products (Carp, Crow, Vole, Whale) and standard grades (2F/14, 6F/45, RLF 1/2/3) serving mechanical and electromechanical applications. Paper laminates include brand products (Kite, Heron) and standard grades (1P/13, RLP 1/2/3) primarily for electrical insulation. Glass fabric laminates include epoxy, phenolic, silicone, and polyimide grades (10G/24, 10G/40-44, 10G/50, 6G/92, RLG 1/3) for high-performance applications. Specialized products include heavy-load bearing materials (Bear Brand), dry-bearing laminates (2F/3/PTFE), Neoprene composites, vulcanised fibre, and moulded stand-off insulators. The company also offers in-house CNC machining services for producing finished components from all material types.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bear Brand: Cotton fabric phenolic resin-based laminate, specially formulated for use as a lubricated bearing material. Used for oil or grease lubricated bearings, slideways, water lubricated marine bearings, pump sleeve bearings, seal rings, mixer bearings, slipper pads, rolling mill bearings, and guide bushes.
• Crow Brand
• Whale Brand
• Vole Brand
• Carp Brand
• Kite Brand
• Heron Brand

Products and services

• Carp Brand - Cotton Fabric Laminate (SRBF) Top-quality fine weave cotton fabric based laminate designed for mechanical and electromechanical applications. Premium quality fine weave cotton fabric with enhanced machinability, low water absorption, and good dimensional stability. Used for fine-toothed gears, cams, geneva wheels, seal retaining rings, and precision machined parts.
• Crow Brand - Cotton Fabric Laminate (SRBF) Coarse weave phenolic cotton sheet grade for mechanical applications. Excellent impact strength with good general toughness and wear resistance. Used for large gears, jigs, wearing components, large rollers, and heavy duty components.
• Vole Brand - Cotton Fabric Laminate (SRBF) Medium/fine weave cotton fabric laminate for mechanical applications. Excellent for screw threading and parts requiring good machining qualities. Used for medium/fine gears, threaded items, blades, and wear resistant components.
• Whale Brand - Cotton Fabric Laminate (SRBF) General-purpose medium weave grade for mechanical applications. Excellent all-round physical properties with strength, good toughness and wear resistance. Used for gears, spacers, jigs, fixtures, wear resistant components, and low voltage insulation.
• Tufnol Grade 2F/14 - Cotton Fabric Laminate (SRBF) Cotton fabric laminate with enhanced electrical properties developed to meet British Standard specification. Used for electro-mechanical applications including slot wedges, stator packings, coil formers, and operating arms.
• Tufnol Grade 6F/45 - Epoxy Cotton Laminate (SRBF) Fine weave cotton/epoxy resin laminate combining excellent electrical properties, good dimensional stability, and outstanding machinability. Used for rotor blades, slip ring assemblies, windshield components, slot wedges, and large electrical terminal blocks.
• Tufnol Grade RLF 1/2/3 - Rolled Laminated Fabric Tubes Rolled laminated cotton fabric tubes with good mechanical strength, low water absorption, and excellent wear resistance in lubricated applications. Grades RL F/1 (fine weave), RL F/2 (fairly fine), RL F/3 (medium weave). Used for wear rings, lubricated bearings, and ball race cages.
• Kite Brand - Phenolic Paper Laminate (SRBP) First-class electrical insulating phenolic sheet material with good dielectric strength and high insulation resistance. Low moisture absorption with good mechanical strength. Most widely used Tufnol phenolic sheet grade. Used for terminal boards, mounting panels, coil formers, busbar supports, and insulated enclosures.
• Heron Brand - Phenolic Paper Laminate (SRBP) First-class electrical insulating material with very low moisture absorption, especially suitable for humid or tropical environments. Excellent electric strength and very high insulation resistance after immersion in water. Used for terminal boards, mounting plates, and insulating spacers.
• Tufnol Grade 1P/13 - Phenolic Paper Laminate (SRBP) Low cost commercial paper based laminate for economical applications with moderate electrical requirements. Higher mechanical strength than other phenolic paper grades with greater impact strength. Used for spacers, base plates, side plates, simple jigs, fixtures, and electrical insulation components.
• Tufnol Grade RLP 1/2/3 - Rolled Laminated Paper Tubes Rolled laminated paper tubes with good mechanical strength, low water absorption, and resistance to weathering and chemical attack. Grades RL P/1 (low cost), RL P/2 (good electrical insulator), RL P/3 (superior mechanical properties). Used for bobbins, coil formers, insulating spacers, and welding gun handles.
• Tufnol Grades 10G/40, 10G/41, 10G/42, 10G/44 - Epoxy Glass Laminate (SRBGF) High-quality epoxy resin bonded glass fabric laminates with very high mechanical strength, low moisture absorption, and excellent electrical properties. Grades for Class B (up to 130°C), controlled flammability, Class F (up to 155°C), and improved retention of strength after heat ageing. Used for turbine generator insulation, cryogenic superconducting magnets, and high-strength bolt insulation.
• Tufnol Grade 10G/24 - Phenolic Glass Fabric Laminate (SRGBF) Phenolic glass fabric laminate with low smoke properties, manufactured from modified phenolic resin with woven glass fabric reinforcement. Good electrical insulation, high mechanical strength, and exceptionally good fire properties with controlled flammability and excellent low smoke and toxicity values. Used in tunnels, underground facilities, offshore platforms, and passenger transport vehicles.
• Tufnol Grade 10G/50 - Silicone Glass Fabric Laminate (SRGBF) Silicone glass fabric laminate with good resistance to high temperatures (up to 200°C) and very good electrical insulation properties, especially for high frequency applications. First class dielectric properties with high insulation resistance and low loss tangent. Used for microwave and RF equipment, radar, and medical equipment.
• Tufnol Grade 6G/92 - Polyimide Glass Laminate (SRBGF) Polyimide glass fabric laminate specially formulated for excellent mechanical strength and insulation properties at elevated temperatures. Suitable for temperatures up to 250°C. Used for sealing rings in chemical plant, components on diesel engine exhaust systems, aircraft jet engine insulation, and high-temperature testing fixtures.
• Tufnol Grade RLG 1/3 - Rolled Laminated Glass Fabric Tubes Epoxy glass fabric laminate tubes with good mechanical strength, low water absorption, and excellent electrical insulation properties. Grade RLG/1 for Class B (130°C) applications and Grade RLG/3 with improved performance at raised temperatures for Class F (155°C) applications.
• Bear Brand - Heavy-Load SRBF Phenolic Bearing Grade Heavy-load cotton fabric phenolic resin based laminate specially formulated for lubricated bearing applications. Uses water as a lubricant or conventional oils and greases. Low water absorption allows reduced clearances. Used for marine bearings, pump sleeve bearings, seal rings, mixer bearings, slipper pads, and rolling mill bearings.
• Tufnol Grade 2F/3/PTFE - Dry Bearing Laminate Unique dry-bearing material combining cotton fabric reinforced laminate with internally lubricated PTFE particles. Self-lubricating with low friction characteristics while maintaining mechanical strength and toughness. Used for non-contaminating, silent running, long-life dry bearings in manufacturing industries. Continuous use up to 100°C.
• Tufnol Grade 1P/13/N Neoprene - Composite Sealing/Insulating Material High performance composite sealing/insulating material with SRBP or SRBF core and chemically bonded Neoprene surface. Designed for oil and gas distribution industries. Provides electrical insulation between mating surfaces while preventing compression effects. Available as N1 (Neoprene on one face) or N2 (Neoprene on two faces).
• Engineering Thermoplastics Comprehensive range of engineering thermoplastics including acetals (POM), acrylic (PMMA), nylons (PA), PEEK, PETP, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, PTFE, PVC, and PVDF. Available in rod, sheet and tube forms. Used for bearings, gears, and bespoke machined components.
• Tufnol Vulcanised Fibre Sheet Strong, lightweight cellulose fibre material with arc resistance, arc quenching, high dielectric strength, and low thermal conductivity. Resistant to mineral oils, petrol, greases, and many solvents. Can be folded, formed, bent and machined. Used for abrasive disc backing, arc chutes, slot cell insulators, and pump gaskets.
• Tufnol Moulded Stand-off Insulators Moulded stand-off insulators resistant to tracking, shock loading, climatic deterioration, moisture, and oil and chemical absorption. Available in Bell Type and Barrel Type configurations. Materials include paper-reinforced phenolic (Kite Brand), glass fibre reinforced polyester, and glass fabric reinforced phenolic (Grade 10G/24).
• PGM - Polyester Glass Mat Laminate Sheets Glass mat reinforced polyester resin laminated plastic. Grades PGM/2 (NEMA GPO-2, ivory, suitable for thermal class F) and PGM/3 (NEMA GPO-3, red, excellent arc and track resistance). Used for electrical insulation applications up to 155°C.
• Custom Moulded Laminates Hot-press mouldings produced in a variety of thermosetting materials enabling custom laminated components to be economically manufactured in shapes impractical from standard sheets or tubes. Allows sophisticated shapes and bespoke solutions for engineering components.
• CNC Machining Services High-performance CNC machining services including precision 3-axis CNC and CNC turning, combined with deep experience in machining laminated composites, general machined parts and other engineering plastics. Uses full suite of CAD CAM software for tailored machining solutions. Millions of components processed annually at the Birmingham facility.

Quantifiable outcome

• One sixth the weight of steel, reducing inertia and power requirements in machinery
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Diamorph GroupcoreOthersTufnol Composites Ltd is part of the Diamorph Group, which owns the company. Diamorph provides composite and polymer material solutions across multiple operating companies including Tufnol. The group's combined capabilities serve aerospace, defence, transportation, and general engineering sectors.
• European Electrical Insulation Manufacturers (EEIM)minorOthersTufnol is a member of the European Electrical Insulation Manufacturers association, a trade body for electrical insulation material manufacturers across Europe.
• DEMScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDEMS is the sole importer and distributor for the internationally renowned Tufnol UK range of Laminates and composites in South Africa. They serve customers across transportation and heavy machinery sectors who require Tufnol's high strength and long-lasting properties for demanding engineering applications.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• SGL Carbon: Global carbon and graphite specialist serving automotive, aerospace, and industrial markets. Competes in advanced composites where Tufnol's newer resin infusion process is positioned, particularly for lightweight structural applications.
• Hexcel: US-listed advanced composites leader supplying carbon fibre prepregs and honeycomb core materials to aerospace and industrial markets. Competes with Tufnol in aerospace structural composites but focuses on higher-performance carbon fibre systems.
• Röchling Engineering Plastics: German manufacturer of semi-finished and finished engineered plastics including laminates, sheets, and machined components. Direct overlap with Tufnol's range of engineering plastic stock shapes and CNC-machined parts.
• GKN Aerospace: Tier-1 aerospace supplier of composite aerostructures and components. Indirect peer as a downstream customer-alternative for composite structures that Tufnol's resin infusion process targets in rail, marine, and aerospace.
• Elantas (Altana): Global manufacturer of insulating resins, varnishes, and specialty coatings for electrical and electronics applications. Comparable to Tufnol's electrical insulation laminate business and serves overlapping OEMs in transformers and switchgear.
• Gurit: Swiss-based composites specialist producing prepregs, core materials, and engineered laminates for wind energy, marine, and aerospace. Adjacent competitor in glass- and carbon-reinforced composite structures, overlapping with Tufnol's moulded laminates expansion.
• Von Roll Holding: Swiss-headquartered electrical insulation and composites manufacturer serving motors, transformers, and industrial applications with resin-based materials. Overlaps with Tufnol's electrical insulation segment and offers broader portfolio including mica-based systems.

Direct peers

• Norplex-Micarta: US-based manufacturer of high-performance thermoset composite laminates (phenolic, epoxy, silicone) for electrical, aerospace, and industrial markets. Closely comparable in product range, resin systems, and application mix to Tufnol.
• Attwater & Sons: UK-based manufacturer of laminated plastics, phenolic sheets, rods and tubes, and CNC machined engineering components. Direct competitor in the same paper-, fabric-, and glass-reinforced laminate categories Tufnol serves.
• Permali Gloucester: Sister company within the same Diamorph Group, manufacturing laminated plastics and composites including glass-reinforced and ballistic-protection materials. Highly comparable product portfolio, reinforcement systems, and end-market overlap with Tufnol.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/Tufnol
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCX_eX6gRe85fDqJ0dzUDX3A
• Facebookfacebook.com/Tufnol
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tufnol

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Tufnol Composites