- Products
- High performance concrete KALCRET
- Fused cast basalt ABRESIST
- Zirconium corundum ceramics KALCOR
- High alumina ceramics KALOCER
- Silicon carbide ceramics KALSICA
- Hard ceramics KALCERAM
- Epoxy-bonded hardcompound KALPOXY
- Composite construction of hard material and rubber KALIMPACT
- Hard casting KALCAST
- Hard overlay welding KALMETALL
- Slide promotion plastics KALEN
- Applications
- Service
- Company
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From the beginnings till now
1921: The company is founded
On 7 September, Schmelzbasalt AG is founded in Linz am Rhein, a joint venture formed by the Compagnie Générale du Basalte and Basalt AG.
The aim is to produce fused cast basalt from the deposits in Vettelschoss in the Prussian Rhine Province and follow the French example by using it as an insulation material.
Representative buildings are built by architects Mattar & Scheler.
1921
1924: Production starts in Vettelschoss
The early years are a little sluggish. The new material is different from the French material that had been successfully used as insulation when building the Paris metro. This is because the raw basalt comes from another source and has a different chemical composition.
1924
The company looks for new markets and improves the production processes, but it will still be many years before it begins to be successful.
1929: Production is halted
Ongoing sales problems oome to a head with the stock market crash and the ensuing global crisis, leading to production being halted. Existing stock continues to be sold and the search for suitable markets continues. Attempts are also made to establish fused cast basalt as a means of corrosion protection in the chemical industry.
1929
1935: A change of direction
Four new shareholders come together on 19 June 1935 to lease the Schmelzbasalt AG works. They focus their marketing efforts on industrial wear protection, but sales are still sluggish. After a few months, production is halted once again.
1935
1937: A new start
Two of the four shareholders leave the company. The other two change the company's name to Schmelzbasaltwerk Kalenborn – Dr. Ing. Mauritz Kommanditgesellschaft. Dr. Kurt Mauritz takes over as partner with unlimited liability – the grandfather of Dr. Conrad Mauritz, one of the current directors.
1937
1939: Business takes off
The company acquires customers in the coal mining and iron and steel industries. Kalenborn's fused cast basalt ABRESIST becomes increasingly popular as a material for industrial wear protection. Like many other companies at the time, Kalenborn is boosted by the war economy.
1939
1940: A valuable material
The armaments industry eats up all the iron and steel resources. Many industries seek a replacement in fused cast basalt, for example in the coal and potash mines, the ore mining industry, coking plants and the increasingly important hydrogenation plants, where synthetic petrol is produced. In order to meet the growing demand, Kalenborn installs a smelting furnace that operates 3 shifts and has a monthly capacity of 600 tonnes.
1940
1942: Leaseholders become owners
Mauritz KG buys the Schmelzbasalt AG works.
1942
1945: End of the war = end of production
In March the works comes under artillery fire during the battle to cross the Rhine at Remagen. Production is halted and it is a year before it can be started up again.
1945
1946: Hard times
Production restarts under difficult conditions. Times are hard, but the factory gives people hope. The workers are bound together by a sense of solidarity and the company develops a spirit of improvisation and energy that still permeates the company's culture today.
1946
1950s: The road to Europe
The sales operation is expanded by opening 15 agencies around Western Europe. By the end of the 1950s, exports account for 35% of total sales and pre-war production levels are once again achieved.
1950er
1960s: A global market
In the 1960s the sales operation is expanded to the USA, India and Australia.
1960er
1969: Expansion of R&D
The company's expertise in the production of fused cast basalt is extended to other materials. Intensive research is carried out into metal, ceramic and thermoplastic materials.
1969
1970: A new generation
Dr Kurt Mauritz dies. His son, Wonter Mauritz, takes over as Managing Partner.
His vision is to establish Kalenborn's global reputation as the experts in wear-resistant materials.
1970
1974: 50 years of basalt
Kalenborn celebrates the 50th anniversary of starting basalt production.
1974
1976: New synthetic products
The thriving new business in synthetic linings to promote material flow is expanded. Various thermoplastics such as PE, PP and PVC are sold around the world under the brand name KALEN.
1976
1977: Expansion to the USA
The Abresist Corporation is set up in Urbana, Indiana as an assembly plant for the American market. The US operation is strengthened stlll further with a bigger sales operation and a team of technical consultants.
1977
1980s: Ceramics
The range of materials is expanded with the introduction of ceramic wear protection in the form of KALOCER aluminum Oxide, KALCOR Zirconium Oxide and KALSICA Silicon Carbide.
1980er
1990s: Globalisation
1996 Kalenborn Delma, Poland - acquired
2000 Kalenborn Bazalt, Poland - acquired
2002 Kalenborn Canada - acquired
2002 Kalenborn do Brasil - founded
2003 Kalenborn Asia, Singapore - founded
2006 Kalenborn Refmon, Hungary - acquired
2007 Kalenborn OSW, Poland - acquired
2007 Kalenborn Weartech, Philippines - founded
2009 Kalenborn France - founded
1996
2014: Kalenborn as a global brand
The global network of companies brings together all its services under one brand name: Kalenborn. This provides a consistent way of telling the world how it is a leading, innovative and global full-service provider of top-quality wear prevention solutions.
2014
2016: Expansion of research and development
Kalenborn is expanding its own research labs. In conjunction with recognised institutions and universities, along with ministry support, conventional materials testing is performed in compliance with international standards.
2016
2018: Establishment of Vietnam office
After decades of successful collaboration with local plant and equipment manufacturers, the company’s own presence in the market further develops market potentials.
2018
New KALCRET materials
The addition of variants optimized for wear and cost complement the compound materials group, thereby satisfying customer requirements and making the range even more competitive.
2018
2019: Establishment of Kalenborn Polska
Merger of Kalenborn Bazalt and Kalenborn Delma under one roof in Poland. Bundling of sales forces to meet market needs in all product groups. Expansion of production and logistics capacities for the metallic materials group.
2019
2020: Expansion of production at Kalenborn Brazil
Development of the pipe systems product groups with the addition of its own pipe component production and expansion of KALIMPACT production with new machines. The greater manufacturing depth and quality improvements in these two product ranges will further enhance customer satisfaction and positioning on the market.
2020
2021
Wear protection is environmental protection
Market launch of relined GREEN tubes, which help to save resources in steel construction and reduce CO2 emissions. Kalenborn helps its customers to operate sustainably.
2022
Sustainability as a compass
As a participant in the UN Global Compact, the UN goals for sustainable development are supported. It becomes a stronger cornerstone of the business strategy.
2023
