27 Inorganic Fiber Manufacturers in 2024
This section provides an overview for inorganic fibers as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 27 inorganic fiber manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked inorganic fiber companies as of April, 2024: 1.C&L Development Corp., 2.Sika Corporation., 3.PDI Gaskets & Seals.
Table of Contents
What Is an Inorganic Fiber?
Inorganic fiber is a man-made chemical fiber derived from inorganic materials.
Examples of inorganic fibers include glass fiber, metal fiber, carbon fiber, rock fiber, and slug fiber.
Glass fiber is an incombustible material with excellent thermal and electrical insulating properties, widely used in reinforced plastics. Metallic fibers, used for decorative purposes and in metallic yarns, are produced from stainless steel, aluminum, iron, nickel, and copper. Carbon fibers, obtained by carbonizing precursor fibers like acrylic under high temperatures, offer excellent thermal shock resistance, are lighter than aluminum, and are stronger than iron.
Uses of Inorganic Fibers
Inorganic fibers generally have excellent heat resistance and are widely used in heat and sound insulation applications. Glass fiber, for instance, is utilized in helmets, fishing rods, and ski boards, while its sheets serve in flooring, heat insulation, and building materials. Metallic fibers find applications in composite materials, reinforcing materials, filtering materials, and static elimination, including use in ropeway ropes, construction cranes' wires, and copper wires for power transmission. Carbon fiber, known for its electrical resistance and thermal conductivity akin to metals, is used in airplane fuselages, car bodies, electromagnetic shields, electrodes, and heat-resistant structures.
Principle of Inorganic Fibers
Inorganic fibers, known for their high strength, include glass fiber with strengths of 3.5 to 4.6 GPa, surpassing that of para-aramid fibers. Classified as Super Fibers due to their exceptional strength, inorganic fibers also boast high heat resistance, with ceramic fibers resistant to temperatures above 2,000°C, and outstanding durability, making them ideal for industrial applications requiring strength and heat resistance.
Types of Inorganic Fibers
Inorganic fibers are categorized into amorphous fibers like glass fiber and rock wool, polycrystalline fibers including carbon fiber and alumina fiber, and monocrystalline fibers such as wollastonite and potassium titanate fiber. Amorphous fibers exhibit high strength and elasticity without grain boundaries, while polycrystalline fibers, comprising small crystals, offer excellent heat resistance. Monocrystalline fibers, or whisker-shaped fine fibers, are noted for their extreme strength.
While inorganic fibers also exist in natural forms such as asbestos, which is a fibrous inorganic material free of hydrocarbons, it's crucial to note that asbestos, due to its health risks, is not classified as an inorganic fiber but rather as a mineral fiber.
How to Select Inorganic Fibers
Glass fibers are distinguished into short fibers, glass wool, and long fibers. Short glass fibers are produced by heating and blowing molten glass into a cotton-like material using centrifugal force. Long fibers are crafted by winding molten glass on a high-speed winder to create extended threads. Carbon fibers are divided into PAN-based, produced by pyrolyzing at temperatures above 1,000°C and pitch-based, further categorized into isotropic carbon fiber with lower mechanical properties and high-performance carbon fiber with superior mechanical properties and high elastic modulus.
List of 27 Inorganic Fiber Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Zoltek Companies, Inc.
Carbon Fiber
Manufacturer Overview
Zoltek Companies, Inc. established in 1975 and based in Bridgeton, Missouri, USA, is a manufacturer and supplier of carbon fiber. The company's product range includes PAN-Based Carbon Fiber, ZOLTEK PX35, ZOLTEK PX30, ZOLTEK OX, and ZOLTEK Recycled Fiber. These carbon fibers possess characteristics such as low weight, corrosion resistance, and electrical conductivity. The company is also used in diverse applications in industries like automotive, wind energy, airplane brakes, and civil engineering. It offers services such as advanced material development, technical support, product customization, and supply chain optimization.
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C&L Development Corp.
Stainless Steel Fibers
Manufacturer Overview
C&L Development Corp., established in 1994 and based in Saratoga, USA, is a manufacturer and supplier of refractory metal materials and alloys. The company's product range includes stainless steel fiber, refractory metals, tungsten heavy alloys, rare earth materials, and high-purity metal powders. These products are used in the fabrication of parts for commercial and military applications, wearable textiles, high-temperature filtration, and lighting equipment. The industries served are the semiconductor, textile, automotive, medical, and plastics industries. The company offers services like research and development, production, and operational support for its product portfolio.
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Sika Corporation.
SikaFiber Steel Fibers
Company Overview
Sika Corporation, U.S., established in 1937 and based in Lyndhurst, NJ, USA, is a manufacturer and supplier of systems and products for construction. The company's product range includes Adhesives and sealants, Concrete, Roofing, Waterproofing and coatings, and Residential Repairs. These products are used for construction from roof to floor, home improvements, industrial manufacturing processes, and automotive manufacturing. The company serves industries such as Construction, Residential & Home Improvement, Industry & Manufacturing, and Automotive Manufacturing. The company's specialties include Façade and walls, Flooring, Repair & Protection, and Expansion Joints.
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Nippon Seisen
Metal Fiber - NASLON
Manufacturer Overview
Nippon Seisen, established in 1951 and headquartered in Osaka, Japan, is a manufacturer of stainless steel wires and metal fibres. The company's main products are types of stainless steel wires including spring wires, micro wires, shaft wires and cold heading wires which are applied to vehicles, air crafts, office automation appliances, electric appliances, medical instruments, commodities and leisure goods. It also offers high alloy titanium wires and metal fibres under the brand name NALSON used for cushioning materials, heat resistance and anti-static application.
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Fujian QL Metal Fiber Co., Ltd
QL Metal Fiber Series
Manufacturer Overview
Fujian QL Metal Fiber Co. Ltd, established in 2002 and based in Longyan City, Fujian Province, is a manufacturer of industrial fibers and filters. The company specializes in stainless steel fiber, metallic yarn, and sintered metal filters. These products find extensive application in sectors like petrochemical, automotive, glass, aerospace, and more. It is a shareholding company that owns a strong R&D team consisting of doctors, masters, and senior engineers. The company has strong partnerships with famous entities like Tsinghua University and Beijing Aerospace Propulsion Institute.
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Filson Filters
Filsom Metal Sintered Fiber Felt
Manufacturer Overview
Filson is a manufacturer and supplier of Industrial Filters in China since 2001. Their filters are divided into various categories, such as Industrial Basket Strainers like Simplex and Duplex filters providing uninterrupted filtering and large debris holding facilities. They have multiple Filter Housings and Filter Carts that are used for dewatering, degassing, and conditioning operating fluids, and Self Cleaning Filters are used for continuous operation. These various filters have applications in different fields, such as they have uses in metal and mining, water, and waste management, paper and pulp, and water treatment industries.
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Tengzhou Star Smith Metal Products Co.,Ltd.
SDS Steel Fiber
Manufacturer Overview
Tengzhou Star Smith Metal Products Co. Ltd., a joint-stock enterprise established in 2011 and based in Tengzhou Economic Development Zone, Shandong Province, China, is a manufacturer of steel fibers. The company specializes in glued steel fiber, copper-coated micro steel fiber, and loose steel fibers. Its steel fibers enhance concrete's durability, resilience, and resistance to cracks and earthquakes. It also strengthens structures like industrial floors, highways, bridges, and tunnels. The company's quality has positioned it among the notable three steel fiber producers in China, with products exported globally to regions including Southeast Asia, Europe, and America.
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Central Glass Co., Ltd.
Glass Fiber
Manufacturer Overview
Central Glass Co., Ltd., established in 1936, based in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer and supplier of chemical products, glass, fiberglass, and fertilizers. The company’s glass products are used in many industries, including architecture, automotive, fertilizer, fine chemicals, and glass fiber, among others. It was originally a supplier of soda products as a chemical manufacturer, until it was launched into the glass business after using soda ash as raw materials. The company’s main objective is to research and use sustainable materials in its products to combat global environmental issues.
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Isolite Insulating Products Co., Ltd.
ISOWOOL BULK
Manufacturer Overview
Isolite Insulating Products Co., Ltd. was established in 1927 and is based in Osaka, Japan, as a manufacturer of insulation materials. It specializes in manufacturing high-temperature fireproof insulation materials, such as polycrystalline wools, insulating firebricks, dust filters, and machinable ceramics. Its manufactured products are equipped with isolite ceramic porosification technology to maintain environment preservation. The company is a subsidiary of Shinagawa Refractories Co., Ltd. It acquired ISO 9001:2015 certification and adheres to Japanese regulations on the Prevention of Hazards due to Specified Chemical Substances. Its manufactured products cater to steel, petrochemical and ceramics industries across Japan, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Germany.
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Denka Company Limited
DENKA ALCEN
Manufacturer Overview
Denka Company Limited, founded in 1915, is a Japanese chemical manufacturer headquartered in Chuo City, Tokyo. The company offers a range of products made with the technology of fine ceramics and organic fine chemicals, such as adhesives, fluorescent materials, functional films, and heat dissipation materials. They also produce automotive parts, belts, hoses, electric wires and cables, and rubber gloves using chloroprene rubber. Additionally, Denka provides products made of polymer solutions, such as food packaging materials, building materials, and electric home appliances. In 2022, Denka launched the New Business Development to develop products and technologies in ICT and energy, healthcare, and sustainable living.
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Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
Inorganic Products
Manufacturer Overview
Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation was founded in 1933 and has a head office in Tokyo, Japan. Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation provides products including chemicals, industrial gases, and health care products to customers globally. Mitsubishi Chemical Group’s performance products division manufactures and distributes. functional food materials, electronic and electrical components, specialty chemicals, and other products. Mitsubishi Chemical health care products include pharmaceuticals, drug discovery solutions, diagnostic reagents, and instruments for medical use. Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation also provides other services such as engineering, information systems, logistics, and consulting.
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TOMOEGAWA
Inorganic(Ceramics)Fiber Paper
Manufacturer Overview
Tomoegawa, established in 1914 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer and supplier, specializing in providing solutions in the field of electronic materials, used in IT and the home electronics industry. The company's product range includes electronic products, highly-functional sheets, specialty paper, fine particles, and display products. These products can be applied in electrical insulating, paper-making technology, telecommunication paper, powder technology, and coating technology. They hold certifications such as ISO9001 and ISO14001.
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Toray Composite Materials America, Inc.
Carbon Fiber
Manufacturer Overview
Toray Composite Materials America, Inc. is based in Tacoma, Washington, USA, and is a manufacturer of composite materials for the industrial and aerospace sectors established in 2017 as a subsidiary of Japan’s Toray Industries, Inc. The company primarily produces film adhesives for bonding composite materials, high strength and lightweight carbon fiber, and prepreg, which is resin-impregnated carbon fiber for molding into complex shapes. The company is ISO 9001, AS9100, and NADCAP-certified, and mainly serves clients in industrial manufacturing.
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PDI Gaskets & Seals
Garlock 5500 Inorganic Fiber Flange Gasket
Manufacturer Overview
PDI Gaskets & Seals, established years ago and based in Newport, Minnesota, United States, is a manufacturer of gaskets and seals. The company also produces various other products, such as soft gaskets, sanitary gaskets, fiberglass tape, expansion joints, and O-rings, while offering waterjet services. The seals and gaskets produced by PDI are in different shapes, dimensions, and thicknesses with custom options. The products produced are supplied to brands such as Inertech, Jet-tube, Klinger, and Rubber Fab in distinct industries.
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Manufacturer Overview
Garlock, founded in 1887 and headquartered in Palmyra, New York, is a manufacturer of sealing solutions and owns several brands, including ONE-UP, LINK-SEAL, KLOZURE, GYLON, and BLUE-GARD. Its products include valves, oil production seals, expansion joints, gaskets, and wall penetration products used in several markets, including chemical processing, nuclear, mining, pharmaceutical, and power generation. It is an Enpro company with two business segments, namely sealing technologies and hygienic technologies. Rubber Fab and the Aseptic Group are under hygienic technologies and supply products for the hygienic process, biopharmaceutical, and pharmaceutical industries.
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UBE Corporation
Continuous Inorganic Fiber
Manufacturer Overview
UBE Corporation, established in 1897, is a Japanese manufacturer and supplier of chemical and machinery solutions, headquartered in Minato City, Tokyo and Ube, Yamaguchi. The company offers a range of chemicals for various industries and daily applications including electrolytes and separators for lithium-ion batteries and nylon resins for engineering plastics. UBE also offers gas separation membranes, polybutadiene rubber, and fine chemical products. The company's subsidiary, UBE MACHINERY CORPORATION, Ltd., supplies various machinery, including die-casting and extrusion machines, injection molding machines, and industrial machines, like ceramic machines and water screening equipment. These products find applications in various industries, including automobile and energy.
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Nitto Boseki Co., Ltd.
Glass Fiber
Company Overview
Nitto Boseki Co. Ltd., operating as Nittobo, and was founded in 1923 and headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer and distributor of textiles, glass fiber, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. The company is a pioneer in Japan's industrial glass fiber production, with a vertically integrated business that encompasses filament production, glass fabric processing, and composites development. Utilizing its adhesive technology, the company expands its product offerings beyond clothing to serve various applications in daily living and industrial materials. In 2015, one of its products, the dishcloths received the Long Life Design Award.
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ZIBO DOUBLE EGRET THERMAL INSULATION CO.,LTD
Inorganic Ceramic Fiber Board
Company Overview
ZIBO DOUBLE EGRET THERMAL INSULATION CO., LTD, established in 1999 and based in Zibo, Shandong, China, is a manufacturer and supplier of ceramic fiber. The company's product range includes ceramic fiber blankets, ceramic fiber boards, ceramic fiber modules, ceramic fiber rope, and ceramic fiber paper. These products are used for thermal insulation, safeguarding machinery and facilities from potential fire hazards. It also offers refractory ceramic fiber services, thermal insulation solutions, and the production of ceramic and insulation wool. The company primarily serves industries such as mining, metallurgy, petrochemicals, and power plants.
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Solvay SA
Carbon Fiber
Company Overview
Solvay was born in 1863 and is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. The company is a producer of advanced materials and specialty chemicals to customers worldwide in several markets including the automotive, healthcare, aerospace, and electronics markets. The company’s product offerings range from amines to surfactants with kitting options available for certain materials such as film and tape process materials. The company sources many materials from renewable sources. The company’s cellulose acetate is produced from bio-sourced wood pulp from sustainably managed forests.
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Bekaert
Metal fibers
Company Overview
Bekaert is a prominent player in the realm of advanced metal transformation and coating technologies on a global scale. Bekaert offers groundbreaking solutions tailored to various industries, encompassing automotive, construction, energy, and beyond. Bekaert's extensive product portfolio comprises steel wire, cords, mesh, and coatings meticulously crafted to augment durability, strength, and overall performance. With a widespread presence spanning more than 30 countries, Bekaert remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering unparalleled customer service and sustainable solutions that cater to the diverse requirements of clients worldwide. Kindly contact them directly to learn more about Bekaert's state-of-the-art products and services.
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Packing Seals & Engineering Co., Inc.
Inorganic Gasket Sheet Material
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Inorganic Fiber Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Ranking as of April 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C&L Development Corp. |
14.0%
|
| 2 | Sika Corporation. |
9.3%
|
| 3 | PDI Gaskets & Seals |
9.3%
|
| 4 | NE Seal Industrial Products Ltd. |
7.0%
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| 5 | Zoltek Companies, Inc. |
7.0%
|
| 6 | Fujian QL Metal Fiber Co., Ltd |
4.7%
|
| 7 | Solvay SA |
4.7%
|
| 8 | Nihon Glass Fiber Industrial Co., Ltd. |
4.7%
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| 9 | Nippon Seisen |
4.7%
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| 10 | Denka Company Limited |
4.7%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the inorganic fiber page as of April 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
- Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation: 42,127
- Solvay SA: 22,000
- UBE Corporation: 9,849
Newly Established Company
- Tengzhou Star Smith Metal Products Co.,Ltd.: 2011 (13 years ago)
- ZIBO DOUBLE EGRET THERMAL INSULATION CO.,LTD: 2005 (19 years ago)
- Fujian QL Metal Fiber Co., Ltd: 2002 (22 years ago)
Company with a History
- Solvay SA: 1863 (161 years ago)
- UBE Corporation: 1897 (127 years ago)
- Denka Company Limited: 1915 (109 years ago)
Inorganic Fiber Manufacturers in United States
*Including some distributors, etc.
Global Distribution of Inorganic Fiber Manufacturers by Country
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
Japan
|
8 | 40.0% |
China
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5 | 25.0% |
United States of America
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3 | 15.0% |
| Japane | 1 | 5.0% |
Italy
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1 | 5.0% |
Belgium
|
1 | 5.0% |
Canada
|
1 | 5.0% |
