Founded in Cincinnati in 1978 by Ron Zapletal, Ron Bell, and Edward Butera, AluChem, Inc. manufactures specialty alumina and continues to operate its original facility as both a manufacturing site and corporate headquarters. The company says it has shifted from hydrated alumina production to specialty grades, including tabular alumina, serving investment casting, refractories, advanced ceramics, and polishing markets.
AlmatisWith a 100-year legacy in alumina innovation, Almatis develops, produces, and supplies high-quality alumina and alumina-based materials for demanding industrial applications. Its globally positioned manufacturing network supports reliable supply, while its materials serve everything from refractory and ceramic production to specialty uses such as investment-casting molds, glass, and metal filtration. Almatis is also expanding high-purity alumina and specialty ceramic capacity through a new Qingdao facility for semiconductor, electronics, and new-energy markets.PENNSYLVANIA, PA
Zircoa IncFounded in 1952, Solon-based Zircoa Inc. develops and manufactures specialty zirconium oxide powders, engineered ceramics, and refractory products for demanding industrial applications. The company grew from an early process for producing zirconia for high-temperature furnace linings into an independent manufacturer with in-house research, engineering, powder production, and formed-product capabilities. Zircoa serves critical processes worldwide and holds ISO 9001:2015 certification with design.SOLON, OH
Allied Mineral ProductsFounded in 1961, Columbus-based Allied Mineral Products makes monolithic refractory ceramics and cast refractory shapes for furnaces and other high-temperature industrial equipment. The employee-owned company has grown from foundry roots into a global manufacturer serving more than 100 countries, with 14 manufacturing facilities in eight countries and a portfolio of more than 2,500 products. Its U.S. manufacturing facilities are ISO certified, and its research and engineering teams develop custom refractory solutions for demanding applications.COLUMBUS, OH
Surmet CorpFounded in 1982, Surmet Corp. develops and manufactures advanced material components, with a particular focus on transparent optical ceramics such as ALON® and Spinel for aerospace, defense and semiconductor applications. The company operates more than 100,000 square feet across three locations and is the only company globally identified on its site as manufacturing ALON®, while its Buffalo facility produces aluminum nitride powder in tonnage quantities. Surmet’s quality management system is certified to ISO 9001:2015.BUFFALO, NY