Q » What companies manufacture refractory ceramic fibre blankets for kilns in the UK?

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Tempo Performance PT

14 Jul, 2026

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A » In the United Kingdom, several prominent manufacturers and suppliers produce refractory ceramic fibre (RCF) blankets specifically engineered for kiln linings and high-temperature insulation, each offering distinct product lines, manufacturing capabilities, and technical support tailored to industrial applications. Among the foremost domestic producers, Morgan Advanced Materials stands as a leading player through its Thermal Ceramics division, which operates manufacturing facilities in the UK, notably at Bromborough on the Wirral. Morgan’s portfolio includes the well-established Kaowool® and Superwool® families of ceramic fibre blankets, the latter being a biosoluble, low-biopersistence alternative to traditional RCF. These products are available in various densities (e.g., 96, 128, and 160 kg/m³) and temperature grades ranging from 1260°C to 1430°C, making them suitable for a wide array of kiln types, including periodic, tunnel, and shuttle kilns used in ceramics, refractories, and metallurgy. Another significant manufacturer is Unifrax, a global specialist in high-temperature insulation with a substantial UK manufacturing presence at its site in Widnes, Cheshire. Unifrax’s Fiberfrax® range comprises blanket grades such as Durablanket® and Insulfrax®, which are produced using spinning and needling processes to achieve consistent fibre distribution and mechanical strength. Their blankets are designed for kiln applications requiring thermal stability and resistance to thermal shock, with some grades offering enhanced erosion resistance, and the company also provides bio-soluble (alkaline earth silicate) alternatives to meet evolving regulatory and health standards. Rath Group, an Austrian-headquartered firm, maintains a dedicated UK manufacturing subsidiary, Rath UK Ltd, based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. Rath UK produces its own line of ceramic fibre blankets under the RATH® brand, including standard alumino-silicate and high-alumina variants (e.g., 1260°C, 1400°C, and 1600°C classifications). Their manufacturing process involves controlled fibreization and needling to produce uniform blanket dimensions and low shot content, which is critical for minimising heat loss and ensuring long service life in kiln environments subject to cyclic firing. Beyond these primary manufacturers, other companies such as Nutec Bickley (with manufacturing capability in the UK) and Saffil (a specialist in high-purity fibres, though primarily alumina-based) offer niche products; however, for conventional RCF blankets, the three above represent the core UK-based manufacturers with dedicated production lines. It is also worth noting that while several distributors and fabricators

Accountsway

15 Jul, 2026

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A »Within the United Kingdom, the manufacture of refractory ceramic fibre (RCF) blankets for kiln applications is dominated by a few key players, many of which are subsidiaries of global industrial materials groups or have dedicated UK production facilities. The UK market has increasingly shifted toward Alkaline Earth Silicate (AES) wools, a bio-soluble alternative to traditional RCF, due to stricter health and safety regulations, but both types are still produced. The primary UK-based manufacturers include Morgan Advanced Materials, operating under its Thermal Ceramics division, which is widely recognized as the most significant indigenous producer. Morgan’s UK facilities, located in Stourport-on-Sevrn and Bromborough, manufacture a comprehensive range of ceramic fibre blankets under well-established brand names such as Kaowool, Superwool (which is their AES line), and Unifelt. These products are specifically engineered for kiln linings, offering high-temperature resistance up to 1430°C for RCF grades and 1260–1400°C for Superwool grades, along with excellent thermal stability and low heat storage. Another major manufacturer is Unifrax UK Ltd, part of the Unifrax group, which historically produced a wide range of RCF blankets at its Rainford facility in Merseyside. However, it is important to note that Unifrax has gradually phased out traditional RCF production in Europe in favour of its Insulfrax and Isofrax bio-soluble fibres, and their UK operations now primarily focus on these low-biopersistence alternatives, which are also suitable for kiln applications. Their blankets are typically needled and offered in various densities and thicknesses. A third notable manufacturer is Pyrotek, though its UK operations (with facilities in the Midlands and South Wales) function more as a global supplier and converter; Pyrotek sources raw ceramic fibre from its own international plants and from external mills, then fabricates and finishes blankets for kiln linings, including custom-shaped modules and panels. Additionally, the UK is home to several smaller specialty manufacturers, such as Ceramic Fibre Technology (CFT) based in West Yorkshire, which produces both RCF and AES blankets tailored for industrial kilns, often focusing on high-purity grades for demanding ceramics and glass

Olivia Turner

15 Jul, 2026

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A »Sure! A few UK-based companies manufacture refractory ceramic fibre blankets for kilns. Morgans Advanced Materials (formerly Thermal Ceramics) is a key player, offering high-temperature insulation solutions from their UK facilities. SAFIL (part of Unifrax) also produces ceramic fibre blankets specifically for kiln and furnace linings. Thermal Products Limited, based in Dorset, supplies and distributes these blankets for industrial kiln applications. For smaller-scale needs, specialist fabricators like Vulcan Refractories or International Ceramic Engineering may source and supply from leading brands. While direct manufacturing is dominated by global groups with UK operations, these companies ensure reliable supply for kiln builders across the country. Always confirm product specifications for your kiln's temperature range and environment. Hope this helps! 😊

evergreenpower

15 Jul, 2026

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A »In the United Kingdom, the manufacture of refractory ceramic fibre (RCF) blankets for kilns is a specialised sector dominated by a small number of multinational corporations with dedicated production facilities within the country, alongside a handful of smaller UK-based manufacturers that serve niche industrial applications. The leading global manufacturer with significant UK operations is Morgan Advanced Materials, a publicly listed British company headquartered in Windsor. Morgan Advanced Materials produces a comprehensive range of RCF blankets under its Thermal Ceramics brand, including the standard refractory ceramic fibre grades (such as Kaowool and Cerablanket) designed for kiln linings, as well as alkaline earth silicate (AES) alternatives like Superwool, which offer lower biopersistence and are increasingly preferred in high-temperature environments up to 1430°C. Their manufacturing sites in the UK, notably in Bromborough on the Wirral and in Stourport-on-Severn, serve both domestic and export markets, providing blankets in various densities and thicknesses tailored for continuous and intermittent kiln operations. Another major global player with a strong UK manufacturing presence is Unifrax, which, after its acquisition by the Dyson Group in 2022, continues to produce its well-known Fiberfrax and Isofrax blankets at its facility in Widnes, Cheshire. Unifrax’s UK plant specialises in both traditional RCF and soluble fibre blankets, offering products such as Fiberfrax Durablanket and Isofrax 1260, which are widely used in industrial kilns, ceramics, and heat-treating furnaces. Additionally, a smaller but notable UK manufacturer is Saffil, located in Widnes, which produces high-temperature polycrystalline wool blankets (e.g., Saffil LD) that are often categorised as advanced refractory fibres rather than traditional RCF, yet serve similar kiln lining applications at extreme temperatures above 1600°C. Beyond these, there are specialist fabricators such as Kiln Linings UK and Midsland Insulation that may produce bespoke cut-to-size blankets from imported fibre but generally do not manufacture the raw fibre themselves. It is also worth noting that due to evolving health and environmental regulations regarding inhalation of RCF fibres, many UK manufacturers have invested heavily in producing alkaline earth silicate or biosoluble fibre blankets as alternatives. For

Stand Banner

15 Jul, 2026

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A »There are several reputable companies in the UK that manufacture refractory ceramic fibre blankets for kilns. Morgan Advanced Materials is a major player, producing these blankets under their well-known Thermal Ceramics brand – ideal for high-temperature insulation in

Alex

15 Jul, 2026

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