West Cork-Based Infrared Heating Business Upholds Nation’s History of Applied Innovation

As the world grapples with climate change, there has been a renewed focus on sustainability, and corporations continue to seek solutions to achieve their new ESG targets. As one of the most energy-intensive economic sectors, industry is increasingly the focus of scrutiny. Solutions to improve energy efficiency are a critical weapon in the battle to fight climate change, and play a key role in improving industry’s carbon footprint.

An example of Irish ingenuity in energy efficiency is Ceramicx, a Cork-based company designing infrared heating systems for industrial applications that drastically increases energy efficiency. Although their technology appears deceptively simple, in reality, the application requires substantial expertise in the field, and is applied across an array of complex industrial procedures. 

Since the company’s foundation in the early ’90s, Ceramicx has grown into a global leader in its industry. Ceramicx handles the design and manufacturing process for ceramic infrared heating elements and turnkey infrared heating systems. Industrial clients use Ceramicx products in any number of industrial applications, including thermoforming, welding, and non-contact drying.

From Cork to the World

According to Frank Wilson, Founder and Managing Director of Ceramicx, the company’s products have helped corporations worldwide boost their sustainability while cutting down on heat waste, and reducing costs. Wilson stated, “We are the original ‘alternative energy’ – we are significant carbon reducers. I’d be disappointed if any installation I work on doesn’t save 30 to 40 percent of the energy used previously.”

Ceramicx relies on international sales for most of its business. It exports approximately 98 percent of the products it makes to more than 80 countries – including the USA, Germany, India, China, and Russia. Ceramicx collaborates with their clients to create tailored solutions to best apply the benefits of infrared technology to clients’ unique operations. 

Learning From The Past

According to Wilson, his personal history proved helpful. He stated, “I had a great deal of foreign travel experience, and I could never understand the limitations of the Irish market – it’s too small. The result was that I was always looking to see what was on the horizon. I underwent my own ‘training course’ on building a business over the years. Developing a company is like creating a patchwork quilt of ideas and opportunities – it’s how you stitch those patches together that determines the color and texture of your quilt.”