Calderys History

160 years of legacy & excellence

From our first fire bricks in 1865 to today’s global presence, Calderys’ journey spans 160 years of innovation, people, and progress.
Discover our story through this special video series retracing the key moments that shaped our legacy.

Our History in Video

Teaser

2025 marks a very special milestone: Calderys Group celebrates 160 years of legacy. From the first fire bricks in Pennsylvania in 1865 to becoming a global leader in high temperature solutions, our story is one of innovation, resilience, and people who shaped industries across the world.

1865 - 1905

In 1865, as America began to rebuild after the Civil War, the ancestor of HarbisonWalker International (HWI) — our brand in the Americas — was already driving industrial progress with its very first fire bricks.

1905 - 1945

1905–1945 was an era of innovation and international expansion. Lafarge invented the aluminous cement while Plibrico manufactured the first monolithic refractory in the US and Stollberg, the ancestor to our steel casting fluxes, was founded in Germany.

History

The fruit of 160 years of experience

With 160 years of history, Calderys Group has grown from its origins in the US and Europe to become a global leader in high-temperature solutions. Built on continuous innovation, strategic expansion, and generations of expertise, Calderys’ legacy includes major milestones such as the invention of aluminous cement or the development of the first monolithic refractory. In 2023, the combination of Calderys and HWI—now our brand in the Americas region—brought this heritage together under one global Group, delivering advanced, customized solutions that protect critical industrial equipment worldwide.