For more than a century and a half, Calderys’ development has been driven by people, technology, and deep expertise, with a consistent focus on delivering innovative, customer-specific solutions that protect industrial equipment operating under extreme conditions.
Over the decades, the Group’s footprint—initially concentrated in the United States and Europe—expanded worldwide through both organic growth and targeted acquisitions. Across generations, employees have built a culture of excellence that continues to support key industries and enable industrial progress around the globe.
Today, Calderys combines a rich industrial heritage with a clear, forward-looking commitment to serving the sectors that underpin the global economy.
“Our 160th anniversary is far more than a milestone,” says Michel Cornelissen, President and CEO of Calderys. “It tells the story of the people who built, innovated, and shaped an industry that remains essential to modern life. Each chapter of our history reflects our dedication to excellence and our ability to create value for steel, cement, energy, petrochemical, metal casting, and many other high-temperature industries. This legacy motivates us as we continue to deliver safe, efficient, and increasingly sustainable solutions worldwide.”
To commemorate the anniversary, the Group is launching a four-part video series tracing its evolution from 1865 to 2025. The series highlights key company milestones alongside major global developments, illustrating how refractory and high-temperature solutions have accompanied industrial progress and continue to play a vital role in shaping the future.
Key milestones in Calderys’ history
- 1865: Founding of the Star Fire Brick Company in Pennsylvania, USA
- 1875: Acquisition by Hay Walker Sr. and Samuel P. Harbison; establishment of Harbison & Walker Company
- 1902: Start of European operations in Sweden
- 1908: Invention of aluminous cement by Lafarge in France
- 1914: Launch of operations in India; development of the first monolithic refractory in the US; founding of Plibrico
- 1926: Establishment of Stollberg in Germany, the origin of today’s steel casting fluxes business
- 1934: Founding of S&B in Greece, the origin of molding sand additive activities
Recent milestones
- 2002: Formation of ANH Refractories in the US through the merger of A.P. Green, NARCO, and Harbison-Walker
- 2005: Merger of Plibrico and Lafarge Refractories under Imerys to form Calderys, marking the beginning of the Calderys brand
- 2015: Rebranding of ANH Refractories as HarbisonWalker International (HWI)
- 2023: Combination of Calderys and HarbisonWalker International under private ownership to form the Calderys Group as it exists today
About Calderys
Calderys is a global leader in high-temperature solutions for industrial applications. The Group provides thermal protection for industrial equipment through an extensive portfolio of refractory products and advanced solutions for steel casting, metallurgical fluxes, and molding processes. Operating in more than 30 countries and with a strong presence in the Americas through HWI, Calderys offers end-to-end solutions supported by a global network of experts. With 160 years of experience, 4,500 employees (excluding contractors), and 50 plants across five continents, the Group supports customers worldwide in meeting the challenges of the energy transition.
