From 1865 to today, the Group’s journey has been shaped by people, technology, and expertise, with a steadfast focus on offering innovative and customized solutions to protect the equipment of industries operating in extreme conditions.
As the decades passed, the Group’s presence which started mainly in the United States and in Europe, expanded both organically and by acquisitions, across continents and across industries. Generations of colleagues have built a legacy of excellence that continues to fuel industries and enables progress around the world.
Today, Calderys Group combines a unique heritage with a forward-looking commitment to serving industries that form the backbone of the global economy.
“Our 160-year anniversary is much more than a number. It is the story of people who built, innovated, and shaped an industry that remains vital to modern life. Every step of our legacy reflects our commitment to excellence and our ability to deliver value across steel, cement, energy, petrochemical, metal casting, and many other high-temperature industries. This journey inspires us as we continue to deliver safe, efficient, and more sustainable solutions for our customers worldwide,” says Michel Cornelissen, President and CEO of Calderys.
To mark this milestone, the Group is releasing a special four-part video series retracing its journey through history — from 1865 to 2025. The series highlights both key company milestones and global events, showing how refractories and other high-temperature solutions have accompanied global progress and continue to play a critical role in building the future.
Premises of Calderys Group history:
1865: Creation of the Star Fire Brick Company in Pennsylvania, USA.
1875: Hay Walker Sr. and Samuel P. Harbison acquired the Star Fire Brick Company and established the Harbison & Walker Company (renamed Harbison-Walker Refractories Company at the very beginning of the 20th century).
1902: Beginning of the Group’s activities in Europe, in Sweden.
1908: Lafarge invented aluminous cement in France.
1914: Beginning of operations in India; development of the first monolithic refractory in the US and creation of the Pliable Firebrick Company (Plibrico).
1926: Creation of Stollberg, the ancestor to Calderys’ steel casting fluxes business, in Germany.
1934: Establishment of S&B, the ancestor to the Group's molding sand additive activities, in Greece.
Latest milestones of the Group:
2002: ANH Refractories was established in the US through the merger of A.P. Green, NARCO, and Harbison-Walker Refractories Company.
2005: Plibrico and Lafarge Refractories merged under the Imerys Group to form Calderys.
This moment marked the beginning of the Calderys brand’s journey.
2015: ANH Refractories was rebranded to become HarbisonWalker International (HWI).
2023: Calderys was acquired by a privately owned company and combined with HarbisonWalker International to form the Calderys Group as it is today, with HWI, a member of Calderys the brand for the Americas region of the Group. Together, they form a premier, world-class provider of comprehensive high-temperature solutions.
About Calderys
Calderys is a leading global provider for industries operating in high-temperature conditions. The Group specializes in thermal protection for industrial equipment with a wide range of refractory products and advanced solutions to enhance steel casting, metallurgical fluxes, and molding processes. With a presence in more than 30 countries and a strong footprint in the Americas through the brand HWI (HarbisonWalker International), Calderys’ international network of experts ensures an end-to-end offer with tailored services. Drawing on 160 years of experience, Calderys supports its customers in their energy transition needs. Headquartered in Paris, France, the Group counts 4,500 employees (excluding contractors), and 50 plants on five continents.
