Ceramic Furnace Construction

What Ceramic Furnace Construction does

Ceramic Furnace Construction (Keramischer OFENBAU GmbH) is a German industrial kiln manufacturer founded in 1996 and headquartered in Hildesheim, Lower Saxony. The company designs, engineers, manufactures, installs, and maintains industrial furnace and kiln systems for the global ceramics industry, operating at temperatures up to 1,800°C. Its portfolio comprises three core kiln platforms — roller kilns (Type eRO), tunnel kilns, and hearth car kilns — complemented by proprietary add-on technologies such as the EnerViT energy-efficient firing system (up to 50% energy savings, H2-ready variant), the eHWO fully electric shuttle kiln, the eTO fully electric tunnel kiln, and the IsoViT system for ceramic insulator manufacturing, along with process visualization (ProVis) and combustion control (LAMBDA) software. The company delivers complete lifecycle support including modernization, retrofitting, spare parts, and 24-hour service.

The firm serves enterprise customers across tableware and porcelain, sanitary ceramics, building ceramics, technical ceramics, battery cathode materials (for Li-ion batteries), and high-temperature fuel cell components (SOFCs/SOECs). Named customers include LAUFEN Bathrooms, Roca Group, Duravit, Villeroy & Boch, Seltmann, Sanindusa, Keramag, Steinzeug, Kyocera, BHS Tabletop, and various fuel cell manufacturers. Revenue is generated through one-time new kiln sales, modernization and retrofitting projects (with short payback periods), spare parts (including for competitor equipment), and recurring service contracts. The business operates a direct enterprise sales model with field sales engineers, international sales representatives, and a wholly-owned Indian subsidiary (Keramischer OFENBAU India / KOI) in Noida, serving customers in over 45 countries with a team of approximately 50 employees.

The company positions itself as a technology leader in kiln energy efficiency and decarbonization, claiming the world's first fully electric tunnel kiln for sanitary ceramics (built for LAUFEN's net-zero factory) and H2-ready combustion capability. It maintains research partnerships with German universities and federal R&D programs (AIF, ZIM), and pursues international market development through active trade show participation at ceramitec, ASEAN Ceramics, Indian Ceramics Asia, ISH Frankfurt, and EFCF Fuel Cell Forum. The company is privately held by its three managing directors (Thomas Alten, David McGuinness, and Dr.-Ing. Claus Thomy), has received the 2023 Lower Saxony Foreign Trade Award and the 2025 CrefoZert for outstanding creditworthiness, and reports strong order intake as of 2025.

Name

Ceramic Furnace Construction

Legal name

Keramischer OFENBAU GmbH

Website

https://keramischerofenbau.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Keramischer OFENBAU GmbH is a German industrial kiln manufacturer founded in 1996 that designs, builds, and services energy-efficient roller, tunnel, and hearth car kilns for the global ceramics industry, serving enterprise customers across sanitary, tableware, battery materials, and fuel cell applications in 45+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Kiln Systems

NAICS

Industrial Process Furnace and Oven Manufacturing (333994)

SIC

Industrial Process Furnaces & Ovens (3567), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Furnaces, Kilns & Thermal Processing Equipment (IMAHAEAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Refractory, Furnace & Kiln Maintenance Services (IMAIACAG), Industrial Electrified Kilns & Calcination Solutions (Cement/Lime/Glass Specific) (EUABAJAL), Heat Treatment & Thermal Processing Furnaces (Hardening, Annealing, Induction) (IMAHADAI)

Keywords

• Industrial kiln manufacturing
• Ceramic firing systems
• Tunnel kilns
• Roller kilns
• Energy-efficient furnaces

Headquarters

HQ city

Hildesheim

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Industrial Kiln Systems (New Construction): Design, engineering, and manufacturing of new industrial kiln plants including roller kilns, tunnel kilns, and hearth truck kilns. Projects range from custom single units to large-scale continuous production systems.
2. Modernization and Upgrade Services: Retrofit and optimization of existing kiln systems including EnerViT upgrades, burner system replacements, kiln extensions, heating system conversions, and comprehensive modernization consulting. Delivered during planned maintenance windows with short amortization periods.
3. Spare Parts Supply: Supply of original spare parts and wear parts for kiln systems. Includes high availability from inventory, quick procurement, and spare parts for competitor equipment.
4. Service and Maintenance: Comprehensive lifecycle service including remote service, on-site support, preventive maintenance, fault analysis, and optimization. Includes 24-hour emergency hotline, remote diagnostics, and service contracts.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Keramischer OFENBAU GmbH designs, engineers, manufactures, installs, and maintains industrial kiln systems — including roller kilns, tunnel kilns, and hearth car kilns — for the ceramics industry at firing temperatures up to 1,800°C. The company complements this hardware with proprietary burning systems (EnerViT), process visualization (ProVis), modernization/retrofit services, spare parts supply, and 24/7 lifecycle service support.

Product overview

Keramischer OFENBAU is an industrial kiln manufacturer offering a portfolio of three core kiln types (roller kilns Type eRO, tunnel kilns, and hearth car kilns) along with specialized burning systems (EnerViT, IBF) and process visualization tools (ProVis). The company provides complete lifecycle support through service, maintenance, spare parts, and optimization/retrofitting services. Recent innovations include the fully electric eHWO shuttle kiln, IsoViT for insulator production, and hybrid heating solutions. The company serves diverse ceramic industries including tableware, sanitary ceramics, technical ceramics, battery materials, and fuel cells.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EnerViT: Energy-efficient burning system for continuous kilns, capable of achieving up to 50% energy savings; also available in H2-ready variant for up to 100% hydrogen combustion.
• eHWO
• IsoViT
• eRO

Products and services

• Roller Kiln Type eRO (Rollenofen) Modular continuous roller kiln for firing ceramic tableware, technical ceramics, roof tiles, sanitary ceramics, battery powder for Li-ion batteries, and fuel cell components. Compatible with gas, electric, and hybrid heating.
• Tunnel Kiln (Tunnelofen) Continuous tunnel kiln with high loading width up to 5.5m and height up to 2.4m; firing temperatures from 800–1,800°C for products including cordierite and stoneware pipes. Available with direct/indirect gas or electric heating.
• Hearth Car Kiln (Herdwagenofen) Batch hearth car kiln for first-firing, re-firing, and decoration firing. Loading volumes up to 350m³, widths up to 6.0m, heights up to 4.0m, firing cycles from 6–180 hours. Good temperature distribution and low specific energy consumption.
• eHWO (Electric Hearth Car Kiln) Fully electric shuttle kiln offering high process control, reduced dependency on fossil fuel price volatility, and the ability to follow renewable energy availability. Marketed to ceramic manufacturers pursuing decarbonization and electrified production.
• IsoViT Insulator Kiln Technology Advanced kiln technology specifically designed for ceramic insulator manufacturing, delivering precision, higher yield, superior quality, and a high degree of automation. Targeted at high-volume insulator producers.
• Fully Electric Tunnel Kiln (eTO) – Net-Zero Sanitary Ceramics World's first fully electric tunnel kiln for sanitary ceramics, enabling CO2-free firing with high process stability and reproducibility. Built for LAUFEN's net-zero factory and jointly developed with the LAUFEN/Roca Group collaboration.
• EnerViT Energy-Efficient Burning System Proprietary energy-efficient burning system for continuous kilns achieving up to 50% energy savings in gas-fired kilns. Features fully automatic burner monitoring optimizing heating and cooling cycles. H2-ready variant enables up to 100% hydrogen combustion. Sold as a retrofit/upgrade and integrated into new kilns.
• Hybrid Heating Systems Dual-fuel heating solutions combining gas and electricity simultaneously in new kilns and retrofits, enabling operators to actively manage their energy mix based on prices and availability.
• Service & Maintenance Comprehensive lifecycle support including a 24-hour emergency hotline, remote service/diagnostics, on-site support, preventive maintenance, fault analysis, optimization, and service contracts for kiln systems.
• Spare Parts Supply Supply of original spare parts and wear parts for kiln systems, with high availability from inventory, fast procurement, full cost transparency, and parts for foreign/competitor equipment as well.
• Optimization & Retrofitting Services Professional optimization and conversion consulting for existing kiln systems, including furnace extensions, relocation, heating system conversions, new burner systems (e.g., EnerViT upgrades), capacity increases, and comprehensive modernization. Delivered during planned maintenance windows with short to medium amortization periods.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 50% reduction in gas consumption with EnerViT optimization
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature11 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• Mexican Ceramic IndustrycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2012Mexico as key export market since 2012. By 2017 Mexico was second-largest export market. Continues as stable focus market serving as both sales market and strategic production location for North America.
• Advanced Ceramics NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional network in advanced ceramics sector supporting knowledge exchange and industry collaboration.
• Kompetenznetzwerk Lithium-Ionen Batterien e.V. (KLiB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompetence network for lithium-ion batteries. Supports company's involvement in battery materials processing technology including cathode materials for Li-ion batteries.
• Stiftung Universität HildesheimminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for research collaboration and knowledge sharing with university.
• Leibniz Universität HannoverminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partnership for research and development in kiln technology and ceramic processes.
• Hochschule HannoverminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity of Applied Sciences partnership for applied research and student engagement.
• Hochschule KoblenzminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for research collaboration.
• Industrie- und Handelskammer HannoverminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChamber of commerce partnership supporting regional business development and international trade.
• Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft Hildesheim Region (HI-REG) mbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional economic development corporation supporting local industry and business networking.
• Unternehmer Hildesheim e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness association connecting entrepreneurs in the Hildesheim region.
• Netzwerk Familie und Wirtschaft e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork organization connecting family and business interests.
• Mitamura (Japan)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLong-standing Japanese partner relationship. Japanese team visited German headquarters to deepen cooperation and exchange perspectives.
• LAUFEN Bathrooms / LAUFEN AustriaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic collaboration on world's first fully electric tunnel kiln for sanitary ceramics at net-zero factory. Module displayed at ISH Frankfurt. Pioneering project demonstrating CO2-free ceramic production.
• Roca GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor sanitary ceramics manufacturer. Collaboration on innovative CO2-free kiln technology projects.
• ECT-KEMA GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman technical company representing company at ASEAN Ceramics Vietnam trade show as part of European Pavilion.
• Deutsche Keramische Gesellschaft e.V. (DKG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman Ceramic Society. Collaboration on Freiberger Feuerfestsymposium and other industry events. Supported German Pavilion at ASEAN Ceramics.
• TZH BASE 29 GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormer TZH company. Company originated from this technology center, celebrating 40th anniversary of TZH BASE 29.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• ANDRITZ: Austrian industrial group with a broad separation and thermal processing portfolio including industrial drying and thermal processes serving ceramics and minerals. A much larger incumbent whose capital and breadth could pressure niche kiln specialists.
• HarbisonWalker International: Largest US-based refractory products and installation services provider, supplying kiln linings and services complementary to (and sometimes competitive with) European kiln OEMs. Relevant adjacent player given Keramischer OFENBAU's own refractory maintenance expertise.

Direct peers

• Bricmont: Italian industrial furnace engineering firm with strong presence in tile and sanitary ceramics kilns. Direct technology and customer overlap with Keramischer OFENBAU in European ceramics firing applications.
• Riedhammer (Saint-Gobain): Subsidiary of Saint-Gobain and a historic German kiln manufacturer serving the same ceramic firing applications as Keramischer OFENBAU, including sanitary ceramics, tableware and technical ceramics. Competes directly on tunnel kiln and roller kiln projects globally.
• Sacmi: Italian manufacturer of complete ceramic production plants including industrial kilns, presses and glazing lines. Sacmi is the global market leader in sanitary and tableware ceramics machinery and competes head-to-head with Keramischer OFENBAU on tunnel and roller kiln installations for the same premium European customers.
• Nutec Bickley: Mexico-based industrial furnace manufacturer specializing in high-temperature kilns for ceramics, including sanitaryware and tableware. A natural competitor in the Americas where Keramischer OFENBAU also has a strong export focus via its Mexican customer base.
• Takasago Industry: Japanese manufacturer of industrial kilns for sanitary ceramics, tableware and electronics ceramics with global project execution capability. Competes with Keramischer OFENBAU in advanced technical ceramics and Asian ceramic production markets.
• Lingl Anlagenbau: German-headquartered kiln builder specializing in tunnel kilns and shuttle kilns for heavy clay, sanitary and technical ceramics. Direct German competitor with comparable technology depth and customer base in European brick and sanitary ceramics manufacturers.
• SITI B&T Group: Italian industrial group providing complete plants and kilns for ceramic tile, sanitaryware and tableware manufacturers. Offers tunnel kilns, roller kilns and digital process control systems targeting the same end customers as Keramischer OFENBAU.
• Poppi Clementino: Italian specialist in tunnel kilns and dryers for heavy clay and ceramic products. Overlaps with Keramischer OFENBAU in building/structural ceramics kiln installations, particularly in the European Mediterranean market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/keramischer-ofenbau-gmbh
• Facebookfacebook.com/KERAMO.IN

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Ceramic Furnace Construction