Łukasiewicz – Instytut Ceramiki i Materiałów Budowlanych /Institute of Ceramics & Building Materials

What Łukasiewicz – Instytut Ceramiki i Materiałów Budowlanych /Institute of Ceramics & Building Materials does

Łukasiewicz – Instytut Ceramiki i Materiałów Budowlanych (ICiMB) is a Polish state research institute founded in 1951 and headquartered in Kraków, operating as part of the Łukasiewicz Research Network under the supervision of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. It employs nearly 1,000 staff across four research centers in Kraków, Warsaw, Gliwice, and Opole, and is one of the largest institutes in the 26-institute network that collectively employs 4,500+ scientists and engineers.

The institute's commercial activities span three revenue streams: (i) applied R&D services and technology transfer to industrial clients in cement, glass, ceramics, refractory, and building materials; (ii) accredited testing, certification, and technical assessment under multiple regulatory designations (EU Notified Body Nr 1487, EOTA Technical Assessment Unit, PCA accreditation AC 086, accredited laboratory AB 054 since 1996, and UNECE notification E 20/F for automotive glass homologation); and (iii) direct sales of manufactured specialty products including refractory concretes and castables, ballistic ceramic armor (SiC, Si3N4, Al2O3), ceramic pigments/glazes, laboratory ceramics, biomaterials (hydroxyapatite), and the BiOrgano-Mineral organic-mineral fertilizer. The institute also generates ancillary revenue through scientific conferences (Energia i Środowisko, Epoka Szkła, Ł2B) and the quarterly journal Szkło i Ceramika (established 1935).

ICiMB monetizes primarily through sales-led direct engagement with enterprise clients across cement (Holcim, Cement Ożarów, Górażdże Cement/CRH, Cementownia Warta, Dyckerhoff/Buzzi), chemicals (PKN Orlen, Grupa Azoty), building materials (Wienerberger, Xella), ceramics (Ceramika Paradyż, Cerrad, Roca), glass (Pilkington/NSG, Bohamet), paints (PPG Deco), and an emerging public-sector portfolio (City of Kraków, Krakowski Holding Komunalny). It is currently investing in two strategic infrastructure expansions — a 200+ sqm horizontal-furnace addition to its Fire Safety and Acoustics Center and Poland's first Hydrogen Research Center in Gliwice — while pursuing decarbonization, circular-economy, and circular-materials projects (Ekobeton, Granbet, ECOLOOP, FLOT-BUD, COMBIsafe) that align with EU Green Deal demand from its industrial customer base.

Name

Łukasiewicz – Instytut Ceramiki i Materiałów Budowlanych /Institute of Ceramics & Building Materials

Legal name

Sieć Badawcza Łukasiewicz - Instytut Ceramiki i Materiałów Budowlanych

Website

https://icimb.lukasiewicz.gov.pl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1951

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Łukasiewicz – ICiMB is a Polish state research institute (founded 1951, ~1,000 staff, four centers) that delivers applied R&D, accredited testing, and specialty refractory, ballistic, and ceramic products to cement, glass, building materials, and chemicals enterprises across Poland and the EU.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Kraków

HQ country

Poland

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Research and Development Services (B+R): Scientific research, R&D projects, opinions, and technical expertise for industry. Covers the full technological chain from laboratory research to industrial implementation. Revenue is generated through project contracts with industrial clients.
2. Testing, Certification, and Technical Assessment: Notified Body (Nr 1487), Technical Assessment Unit (member of EOTA), product certification body (Polskie Centrum Akredytacji nr AC 086), accredited testing laboratory (AB 054 since 1996), and UNECE notification for automotive glass homologation testing (E 20/F). Revenue generated from testing fees, certification fees, and assessment charges.
3. Specialized Products Sales: Sale of proprietary manufactured products including refractory materials, ceramic technical products, construction chemicals (mortars, grouts, heritage cement), ceramic paints and glazes, pigments, decorations, grinding activators, laboratory equipment, ballistic ceramics, and organic-mineral fertilizers. Products are sold directly to industrial customers.
4. Conference and Publishing Revenue: Organizes scientific conferences (Epoka Szkła, Energia i Środowisko, Ł2B) with registration fees and sponsorship packages, and publishes the quarterly journal 'Szkło i Ceramika' (ISSN 0039-8144, established 1935).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Łukasiewicz – Instytut Ceramiki i Materiałów Budowlanych conducts applied research, laboratory testing, and certification for the building materials, ceramics, glass, and refractory industries. It manufactures specialized products such as refractory shapes and ballistic ceramic inserts, and provides environmental services including life-cycle assessment (LCA) and carbon-footprint studies for construction materials. The institute serves industrial manufacturers, construction companies, defense clients, and public-sector organizations.

Product overview

Łukasiewicz – Instytut Ceramiki i Materiałów Budowlanych (ICiMB) is a research institute within the Łukasiewicz Research Network that offers a diverse portfolio of products and services in the building materials, ceramics, glass, and refractory materials sectors. The institute provides both physical products (refractory materials, ballistic ceramics, technical ceramics, ceramic pigments and glazes, laboratory equipment, prefabricated concrete elements, biomaterials) and testing/certification services (fire safety testing, acoustics, carbon footprint calculation, environmental protection). The portfolio is organized around six research centers: Sustainable Construction, Advanced Ceramics & Prefabricates, Refractory Materials, Fire Safety & Acoustics, Environmental Engineering, and Experimental Production. Key product lines include refractory concretes and masses for high-temperature industrial applications, ceramic armor for military use, decorative ceramic materials, and specialized laboratory ceramics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Krakowska Huta Szkła: Historic glass workshop and exhibition space within the institute, open to the public for events and cultural activities.

Products and services

• Accredited laboratory testing of building materials Mechanical, physical, and chemical testing of construction products (cement, concrete, mortars, plasters) carried out in accredited laboratories for manufacturers, construction firms, and public-sector clients.
• Fire resistance and reaction-to-fire testing Testing of building products for fire resistance and reaction-to-fire classification to support CE marking and regulatory compliance for construction manufacturers.
• Acoustic and vibration testing Acoustic performance and vibration testing of building elements and materials for manufacturers and construction-sector clients.
• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and carbon-footprint services LCA studies, carbon-footprint analysis, and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for building materials and ceramic products, supporting sustainability reporting and green-building certification.
• Refractory product manufacturing Manufacture and supply of specialized refractory shapes, components, and formulated refractory products for industrial high-temperature applications (steel, cement, glass, foundry).
• Ballistic ceramic inserts for personal protection Design, prototyping, and manufacture of ceramic ballistic inserts for body armor and personal protective equipment, supplied to defense and security-sector buyers.
• Applied R&D and consulting for ceramics and glass Contract research, materials development, and consulting services in ceramics, glass, and refractory materials for industrial manufacturers and public-sector clients.

Quantifiable outcome

• CO2 emission indicators determined for conventional and secondary fuels, including biomass carbon fraction analysis (C14 isotope method)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Miasto Kraków (City of Kraków) – Metro Advisory ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 May 2026ICiMB signed a letter of intent (May 2026) to serve as the scientific-expert partner in Kraków Metro construction. One of seven Kraków scientific institutions in the consortium alongside AGH, UJ, UE, UR, and ASP. ICiMB provides fire protection and noise protection expertise for tunnel and station design.
• Krakowski Holding Komunalny S.A. (KHK S.A.)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 May 2023Municipal holding company of Kraków. Letter of intent signed May 2023 for R&D cooperation on utilization of combustion by-products and waste processing, joint project execution, and expert knowledge exchange.
• Politechnika ŚląskacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilesian University of Technology – academic partnership for joint research in ceramics, materials science, and engineering. Active collaboration in the 'Epoka Szkła' conference (academic patron) and glass research.
• Politechnika KrakowskacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCracow University of Technology – academic partnership for research collaboration and Kraków Metro advisory consortium (signed May 2026).
• Politechnika BiałostockacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBialystok University of Technology – academic partnership for joint research. Professor Marta Kosior-Kazberuk (Rector) jointly recognized with ICiMB at Dni Betonu 2025.
• Politechnika WrocławskaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWrocław University of Science and Technology – part of an international consortium for collaborative research projects.
• Instytut EnergetykiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy research institute – collaboration on energy-related R&D projects and technologies.
• PKN Orlen S.A. (PTA Włocławek)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPoland's largest fuel and petrochemical conglomerate. Collaborative R&D in fuel chemistry and alternative fuel utilization.
• Grupa Azoty S.A.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of Europe's largest chemical groups. Collaborative R&D in chemical processes and materials.
• Holcim Polska S.A.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal leader in cement and concrete production. Collaborative research in sustainable construction materials and low-emission cement technologies.
• Cement Ożarów S.A.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor Polish cement producer. Research collaboration on cement production technologies.
• Górażdże Cement S.A. (CRH Group)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the CRH Group, one of Poland's largest cement and concrete producers. Research collaboration.
• Cementownia Warta S.A.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading Polish cement producer. Collaborative R&D on cement manufacturing processes.
• Dyckerhoff Polska Sp. z o.o. (Buzzi Unicem)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of international Buzzi Unicem group. Research collaboration.
• Wienerberger AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld's largest building ceramics manufacturer. Collaborative R&D on ceramic building materials.
• Xella Polska Sp. z o.o.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal producer of Ytong, Silka, Multipor building materials. Collaborative research.
• Ceramika Paradyż Sp. z o.o.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of the largest Polish ceramic tile manufacturers. Collaborative R&D on ceramic tile production.
• Cerrad Sp. z o.o.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading Polish producer of tiles andgres porcelain tiles. Collaborative research.
• Roca Polska Sp. z o.o.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational bathroom equipment manufacturer. Collaborative R&D on ceramic sanitary ware.
• Pilkington IGP Sp. z o.o. (NSG Group)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld-leading glass manufacturer. Collaborated on 'Epoka Szkła' conference with technical presentations on glass technology evolution and sustainability.
• Bohamet S.A.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor Polish producer of specialized glass. Collaborative R&D on glass products.
• PPG Deco Polska Sp. z o.o. (PPG Industries)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of international PPG Industries. Collaborative R&D on decorative paints and coatings.
• University of LjubljanacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational academic partnership for collaborative research in materials science and glass technologies.
• National Institute of Chemistry (Słowenia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSlovenian national chemistry research institute. International R&D collaboration.
• University of Castilla-La Mancha (Hiszpania)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpanish university. International research collaboration in ceramics and materials.
• University of Hradec Králové (Czechy)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCzech university. Cross-border research collaboration in materials science.
• Fraunhofer Gesellschaft (Niemcy)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGermany's leading applied research organization. Prestigious international R&D partnership, strengthening ICiMB's connection to Europe's top research ecosystem.
• TRS B.V. (Holandia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDutch company. International collaboration in materials R&D.
• Hospodarska a socialni rada Usteckeho kraje z.s. (Czechy)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCzech economic and social council of the Ústí Region. Cross-border regional collaboration.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• RISE Research Institutes of Sweden: Swedish state-owned research institute merging multiple applied-research labs with materials, fire, and energy testing capabilities. Direct comparable in the Northern European public-research-institute model.
• Bureau Veritas: Global TIC company providing laboratory testing, certification, and inspection for construction materials and industrial products. Competitor in the same accredited building materials and refractory testing services ICiMB provides.
• SGS SA: Global leader in testing, inspection, and certification across industrial and construction sectors. Comparable to ICiMB's testing services and product certification business lines.
• TÜV SÜD: Global testing, inspection, certification (TIC) company with deep building-materials, fire-safety, and acoustic testing services. Comparable to ICiMB's accredited testing, fire safety, and certification lines (Notified Body, EOTA, AB 054).
• Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft: Germany's largest applied research organization with ~76 institutes covering materials, ceramics, and industrial testing. Highly comparable to ICiMB as a government-funded applied research network with mixed public/private funding, industrial collaboration, and testing/certification; ICiMB itself lists Fraunhofer as a core strategic partner.
• VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland: State-owned Finnish research institute offering applied R&D, testing, and certification across materials, energy, and industrial applications. Comparable business model and revenue mix (public funding + commercial R&D + testing) to ICiMB within the Łukasiewicz Network.

Direct peers

• Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems (IKTS): Specialized Fraunhofer institute for technical ceramics, refractory materials, and bio-ceramics. Direct peer on technical ceramics, structural ceramics, refractory, and biomaterials R&D — overlapping deeply with ICiMB's Centrum Zaawansowanej Ceramiki i Prefabrykatów and Refractory Materials Center.
• Belgian Ceramic Research Institute (INISMa): Belgian research center for ceramic and refractory materials, providing testing, certification, and R&D services to European industrial clients. Comparable in scale and mission to ICiMB's Refractory Materials Center in Gliwice.
• Institute of Ceramics and Glass (ICV-CSIC): Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) institute dedicated to ceramics and glass research. Direct peer on technical glass, ceramics, and refractory materials R&D; ICiMB has an active partnership with the University of Castilla-La Mancha linked to this scientific ecosystem.

Regional players

• Łukasiewicz – Krakowski Instytut Technologiczny: Sister institute within the Łukasiewicz Research Network, also based in Kraków, focused on materials, production engineering, and industrial testing. Closest internal-network peer, sharing public funding model and overlapping industrial R&D programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/instceramiki
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ukasiewicz-ICiMB
• Facebookfacebook.com/ICiMB
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sie-badawcza-ukasiewicz-instytut-ceramiki-i-materia-w-budowlanych
• Instagraminstagram.com/lukasiewicz.icimb

Compliance8 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 Łukasiewicz – Instytut Ceramiki i Materiałów Budowlanych /Institute of Ceramics & Building Materials