Perth-Based Kanthal Invest £8M in Expanding Production as Demand for Sustainable Heating Grows

The expansion responds to rising demand from producers of electronics, glass and steel for sustainable high-temperature heating technology. Kanthal’s Globar® silicon carbide heating elements enable electrification of industrial processes up to 1,625°C, replacing fossil fuel-based heating and, according to the company, making production more energy-efficient, cleaner and safer while improving process control and reducing CO₂ emissions.

The investment reflects a broader industrial shift. Heavy industry accounts for close to a quarter of global CO₂ emissions, with a substantial share generated by high-temperature heating processes. Governments worldwide are increasing pressure on manufacturers to cut industrial emissions through carbon pricing, tightening regulation and clean-energy incentives, driving demand for electrified alternatives to fossil fuel combustion.

Kanthal has operated in Perth for more than 50 years and currently employs around 120 staff at its Inveralmond site. In response to growing demand for its Globar® silicon carbide heating elements portfolio, the company launched an investment initiative in 2023 to expand its Perth facilities.

“Perth is a strategically important location where we have produced Globar® silicon carbide products for many years,” said Robert Stål, President of Kanthal. “With this expansion, we strengthen our ability to meet our customers’ needs and reinforce our position as a trusted partner.”

The increased capacity, operational from this year, is also expected to allow the firm to add to its workforce as demand for its products continues to grow.

Alongside the Perth expansion, Kanthal has also established a new service centre for Globar® heating elements at its existing facility in Concord, North Carolina. Together, the two projects represent a total investment of approximately SEK 100 million, around £7.5 million, intended to bring the company closer to its customers and improve lead times.

“Both locations are now fully operational, increasing the available production capacity for these products by approximately 40%,” said Simon Lile, President of Kanthal’s Business Unit Heating Systems. “We are not just increasing capacity; we have also added capability which will enable new product and application developments that can cater for larger electrical heating solutions. The total investment will ensure that we can capture the growing global demand.”

Kanthal is a world-leading brand in industrial heating technology and resistance material. Its parent company, Alleima, headquartered in Sandviken, Sweden, employs approximately 6,800 people across around 80 countries, and reported revenues of about SEK 19 billion in 2025.

The expansion positions Perth as a continuing production base for a company operating at the centre of one of manufacturing’s clearer long-term growth markets, as industrial decarbonisation policy reshapes demand for heating technology across electronics, glass and steel production worldwide.

Why does this matter now?

Around the world, governments are ramping up efforts to reduce emissions as part of broader climate commitments, with heavy industry a key focus area for decarbonisation.

Policy measures such as carbon pricing, emissions regulations, and clean-energy incentives are pushing manufacturers to rethink how heat is generated and to accelerate the shift towards lower-carbon production pathways.

Kanthal’s heating elements enable the electrification of processes up to 1,625°C. They can replace fossil fuel solutions, making production more energy-efficient, cleaner, and safer. This transition also ensures better process control while reducing CO2 emissions.

As a world-leading brand in industrial heating technology and resistance material, Kanthal is committed to reducing environmental impact through innovative solutions and strong customer partnerships. With skilled people and pioneering technology, it supports some of the world’s biggest and most exciting projects.

Their goal with their expansion in Perth is to capture growth in the global market and to support long-term product and application development.

For more information, visit kanthal.com