Fig. 2: View of the EKW plant in Eisenberg

Fig. 1: Dipl.-Ing. Michael P. Wiessler, Managing Director of EKW

Eisenberger Klebsand-Werke GmbH – the historical name is known worldwide and it refers to an unusual geological feature, namely a rare alumosilicate refractory raw material described technically as luting sand. Of course the luting sand still exists but today, 104 years after the company's foundation, the sand itself is no longer relevant, High tech, explains EKW's Managing Director Michael P. Wiessler (Fig. 1), has replaced it as the basic principle which assures EKW's leading position in the world of refractories.

The modern plant in Eisenberg in the German Palatinate (Fig. 2) boasts an extensive portfolio of unshaped and preshaped refractories, from high performance castables (Fig. 3) to ramming mixes, plastics, dry vibratable,  repair- and gunning mixes, supplying the answer to a wide range of lining requirements for the production of high-quality steels as well as ferrous and non-ferrous materials and applications in cement factories.

Last but not least, the company's own research and development department makes sure that all the refractory materials always correspond to the state of the art. Innovative product lines, such as the specifically designed self-flowing castables, demonstrate this successful corporate strategy and prove that SMEs are still an excellently viable option when it comes to comprehensive, quality oriented production. EKW also specializes in customized system solutions for functional linings in melting and treatment furnaces complete with all the associated peripheral services (Fig. 4).

Fig. 3: High performance castables from top quality raw materials

Fig. 4: Extensive service, controlled heating and sintering procedure at the channel induction furnace

Subsidiaries in France, Italy and Malaysia as well as several participations and partnerships in Germany, Brazil, Slovenia and numerous representations and agents around the globe have strengthened EKW's international competitive position (Table 1). This also means that the company's activities are coordinated even more closely with their customers. In 2006, the total turnover within the EKW "family" totalled 50 million euros.
The story of EKW began with the union of four opencast mining owners in the year 1903 and now, more than a century later, EKW sees itself in a position to continue its success for another 100 years. EKW Refractory and Service in System – the future brings new challenges again and again. EKW meets these challenges with its living tradition and advanced technology.