What Mantec Technical Ceramics does

Mantec Technical Ceramics Limited is a UK-based specialty ceramics manufacturer founded in 1970 and headquartered in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire. The company develops and produces bespoke ceramic-based products and subcontract spray drying and firing services for industrial customers worldwide, organized into three operating areas: Mantec Filtration (porous ceramics, Star-Sep crossflow membranes, Pyrolith diffuser tubes, and filter housings), Mantec Refractories (Ultralite ultra-lightweight microporous refractory insulation in ULF 10/12/14 grades, plus Bullers Rings and BPCD pyrometric temperature control devices), and Technical Ceramics (Puremet metal pour filters, Coralith). Customers are enterprise buyers across heavy clay, sanitaryware and tableware, water and wastewater treatment, chemical and pharmaceutical processing, aerospace and defence, food and drink manufacturing, and EV automotive applications, with named contracts including Technology Innovation Institute, Abu Qir Fertilizers, De Nora for Tubli STP, a leading global precious metals company, and a European kiln construction company.

The company's product technology is built on proprietary materials and process know-how: a mechanical foaming route for Ultralite refractory granulate that yields better particle size control than chemical foaming, a star-shaped membrane channel geometry that delivers 20% more filtration area and 30% less cross-section than circular channels, and a Pyrolith aluminosilicate grade with 90µm average pore diameter and 35-45% porosity. Mantec is ISO 9001:2015 certified (Lucideon CICS, valid to February 2027) and was the first UK precision ceramics and refractories manufacturer to obtain ClimatePartner Carbon Neutral certification for its Ultralite range.

Commercially, Mantec operates a sales-led, direct engagement model managed by two Sales Directors from its UK headquarters, supplemented by regional distribution (e.g., Interkiln in India), trade show presence (Ceramitec, FILTECH, Aquatech Mexico, ASEAN Ceramics, Indian Ceramics Asia), and authorized UK distribution of ENVICON diffusers. Revenue is generated through quote-based, project-by-project bespoke product sales, custom equipment and system commissions (e.g., coating deposition systems, filtration rigs), and subcontract manufacturing services, with typical enterprise contract values in the six-to-low-seven-figure GBP range. The company is privately held with no disclosed external institutional investors; Xtract Filtration Systems, a former wholly-owned subsidiary, was merged back into the parent company effective 1 April 2025.

Name

Mantec Technical Ceramics

Legal name

Mantec Technical Ceramics Limited

Website

https://mantectechnicalceramics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mantec Technical Ceramics is a UK specialty manufacturer of bespoke porous ceramics, refractory insulation, pyrometric devices, and filtration systems, serving enterprise customers across heavy clay, water treatment, chemical processing, aerospace, and EV automotive industries from its Stoke-on-Trent headquarters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Stoke-on-trent

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Specialist Ceramic Products Sales: Sale of bespoke ceramic-based products including filtration products, refractory insulating materials, technical ceramics, and pyrometric measuring devices. Products are custom-manufactured to customer specifications for complex industrial applications.
2. Custom Equipment and Systems: Design, construction and supply of custom equipment such as coating deposition systems, filtration rigs, and associated components. Project-based revenue from complex industrial commissions.
3. Sub-contract Manufacturing Services: Sub-contract spray drying and firing facilities offered as part of ISO 9001:2015 certified operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Mantec Technical Ceramics manufactures and supplies bespoke ceramic-based products for industrial sectors, including porous ceramic filters and Star-Sep crossflow microfiltration membranes, Ultralite ultra-lightweight refractory insulation, Bullers Rings and Bullers Process Control Discs (BPCDs) for pyrometric temperature measurement, and Puremet/Coralith technical ceramics. The company also provides sub-contract spray drying and firing services and designs custom equipment such as coating deposition systems and filtration rigs.

Product overview

Mantec Technical Ceramics is a diverse manufacturing technology company with three main divisions offering specialized ceramic-based solutions. Mantec Filtration produces porous ceramic products including tubes, tiles, discs and membranes for filtration, crossflow microfiltration, aeration, diffusion and fluidisation applications, featuring the Star-Sep™ membrane range with unique star-shaped channels. Mantec Refractories offers Ultralite ultra-lightweight refractory insulation (ULF 10, 12, 14) and Bullers temperature control devices (Rings and BPCDs) for kiln optimization. The company also manufactures technical ceramics including Puremet metal pour filters and Coralith. Xtract Filtration Systems (merged into parent company April 2025) provides modular filtration systems for material recovery. The portfolio serves diverse industries including ceramics manufacturing, water treatment, chemical processing, food & beverage, aerospace, defence, and fertilizer production.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ultralite: Ultra-lightweight, microporous refractory insulation product for kiln car insulation in tunnel kilns, available in grades ULF 10, 12, and 14. Carbon neutral certified by ClimatePartner.
• Star-Sep
• Bullers Rings
• Bullers Process Control Discs (BPCDs)
• Puremet
• Pyrolith
• Coralith
• ULF (Ultralite Loose Fill)

Products and services

• Star-Sep Ceramic Membranes Crossflow ceramic membrane filters with a star-shaped channel design that increases filtration area by 20% versus circular channels of equivalent diameter and reduces pumping energy. Used for industrial microfiltration, water treatment, and process filtration applications.
• Ceramic Filters Porous ceramic filter media that are chemically inert and stable, designed to solve difficult filtration problems in demanding industrial environments across chemical, fertilizer, and process industries.
• Diffusers Fine bubble diffusers available in ceramic or EPDM membrane materials for aeration and diffusion applications in water treatment and wastewater processing plants.
• Pyrolith Ceramic Filters Specialist ceramic filtration tubes made from proprietary Pyrolith aluminosilicate material with average pore diameter of 90 microns and 35-45% porosity, designed for high-temperature and aggressive chemical environments such as ammonia gas filtration in fertilizer production.
• Xtract Filtration Systems Modular and bespoke filtration systems using crossflow ceramic membrane technology to recover valuable raw materials from liquid waste streams, primarily serving the ceramics industry for glaze/slip reclamation and broader solids-liquids extraction applications.
• Ultralite Refractory Insulation Ultra-lightweight, microporous refractory insulation material produced via a proprietary mechanical foaming process, available in ULF 10, ULF 12, and ULF 14 grades for kiln car insulation in tunnel kilns. Carbon neutral certified by ClimatePartner. Delivers up to 25% improvement in kiln car energy consumption and up to 40% reduction in car weight.
• Bullers Rings Pyrometric temperature control devices placed in kilns and furnaces to measure heat work for accurate thermal performance mapping and quality assurance in ceramic manufacturing.
• Bullers Process Control Discs (BPCDs) Next-generation pyrometric measuring devices for advanced firing and sintering operations, providing accurate heat-work measurement for technical ceramics, electronics, semiconductors, and powder metallurgy manufacturing quality assurance.
• Puremet Metal Pour Filters Ceramic metal pour filters used in investment casting applications to filter molten metal and improve casting quality.
• Coralith Specialty ceramic material for various industrial applications within the Mantec portfolio.
• Sub-Contract Spray Drying and Firing Services Contract manufacturing services for spray drying and firing of ceramic materials, offered as part of Mantec's ISO 9001:2015 certified operations to industrial customers needing outsourced ceramic processing capacity.
• Custom Equipment and Systems Design, construction and supply of custom equipment such as coating deposition systems, filtration rigs, and associated components for complex industrial commissions, including seawater desalination and research applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 30% energy cost savings for ceramic businesses using Ultralite kiln insulating products
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Technology Innovation Institute (TII)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 June 2026Abu Dhabi-based leading global research centre collaborating with Mantec on sea water desalination research. Mantec designed and delivered custom coating deposition systems and filtration rigs using 0.2 micron ceramic membranes. Follow-up order received for additional ceramic membranes with gaskets and seals.
• De NoracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMilan-based global provider of sustainable water treatment solutions. Mantec supplied specialist ceramic diffuser tubes and installation ancillaries for the Tubli Sewage Treatment Plant Phase 4 expansion in Manama, Bahrain - one of the largest wastewater treatment plants in the country.
• ENVICONcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMantec Filtration is the authorized UK distributor for ENVICON Membrane Diffusers for wastewater treatment plants. ENVICON is a German manufacturer with 30 years of experience in development and manufacture of efficient, durable diffusers. Products include EPDM, Silicon and Polyurethane diffusers in tube and disc configurations.
• Make UK DefenceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational not-for-profit, member-owned defence trade association, part of Make UK - the manufacturing trade organization. Mantec joined as member to engage with defence sector opportunities.
• Midlands Industrial Ceramics Group (MICG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounder member of MICG established to ensure advanced ceramics help drive competitiveness and success of Midlands advanced manufacturing by tackling key innovation challenges.
• ClimatePartnercoreOthersLeading international validation body for climate action. Certified Mantec's Ultralite products (ULF 10, 12, and 14) as Carbon Neutral Products. Mantec invested in carbon offsets through afforestation programme in Rio Kama in eastern Nicaragua where a million plants of giant clumping bamboo have been planted.
• Lucideon CICScoreOthersLeading global expert in verification and certification services. Conducted ISO 9001:2015 audit and certification for Mantec's Quality Management System covering design, development, manufacture and supply of specialist ceramic products.
• Xtract Filtration SystemscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary specializing in solids and liquids extraction and modular filtration systems. Xtract merged with parent company Mantec Technical Ceramics effective 1st April 2025, bringing enhanced operational efficiencies. Xtract's decades of experience in crossflow filtration proved invaluable for complex projects like TII desalination.
• InterkilncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLong-time partner in India and company extremely well known and respected in the Indian ceramic sanitaryware community. Represents Mantec's main products (Ultralite and Bullers ranges) at Indian Ceramics Asia exhibition.
• Doulton Water FilterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMantec group company specializing in water filtration. Exhibited alongside Mantec at Aquatech Mexico on Stand 1606. Part of broader Mantec group of companies including Mantec Filtration and Mantec Refractories.
• Ceramics UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBritish Ceramic Confederation relaunched as Ceramics UK - industry body representing UK ceramics sector. Mantec represented at parliamentary reception in Westminster alongside MPs, peers, and industry executives to highlight importance of UK's ceramics sector.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• NGK Insulators: Japanese manufacturer of ceramic insulators, ceramic filters, and refractories. Comparable in producing porous ceramic filtration products and refractory materials for industrial and environmental applications.
• CoorsTek: Large US-headquartered technical ceramics manufacturer serving aerospace, defense, semiconductor, and industrial markets. Comparable in producing engineered ceramic components and porous ceramic media, though at significantly greater scale and breadth.
• Vesuvius plc: Global leader in refractories and foundry consumables; Mantec's recently hired Manufacturing Manager (Ben Ashmore) previously held senior leadership at Vesuvius's Foseco division. Highly comparable in refractory products serving heavy industrial customers.
• RHI Magnesita: World's largest refractory products manufacturer, supplying steel, cement, glass, and non-ferrous metals industries. Comparable to Mantec's Ultralite and refractory insulation lines serving heavy clay and high-temperature industrial processes.
• Corning Incorporated: US-based ceramics and glass specialist with significant technical ceramics and filtration (ceramic substrate) operations. Comparable in advanced ceramic manufacturing, though much broader in telecommunications and life sciences.
• Saint-Gobain: French multinational with a significant refractory and high-performance ceramics portfolio. Comparable to Mantec's refractory insulation and ceramic filtration products, though Saint-Gobain operates across many additional building materials categories.

Direct peers

• Morgan Advanced Materials: UK-based global manufacturer of technical ceramics and refractory products serving industrial, energy, and transportation markets. Closely comparable to Mantec across ceramic filtration, refractory insulation, and bespoke engineered ceramic components.
• HarbisonWalker International: North America's largest producer of refractory products and services for heavy industry. Comparable to Mantec's refractory insulation (Ultralite) and custom kiln product offerings, with similar end-customers in steel, aluminum, and ceramics manufacturing.
• Porvair Filtration Group: UK-based specialist in industrial filtration and separation technologies, including porous ceramic and metallic filtration media. Highly comparable to Mantec's Star-Sep ceramic membrane and Pyrolith diffuser tube product lines.
• CerCo LLC: US-based manufacturer of technical ceramic components including custom refractory shapes, porous ceramics, and filtration media. Closely comparable to Mantec's bespoke manufacturing model for porous ceramic tubes, diffusers, and shaped refractories.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MantecTC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mantec-technical-ceramics-limited

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Mantec Technical Ceramics