History
Microtherm® was created in the early 1960’s by two scientists, Joseph McWilliams and John Hughes, working together for the nuclear industry.
They needed a high temperature insulation that was significantly better than anything available at the time.
To meet their requirement they designed a microporous insulation with a thermal conductivity so low that it was almost down to the lowest theoretically possible according to the laws of physics. An insulation with a thermal conductivity even lower than that of quiescent air.
This very low thermal conductivity was also remarkably stable over a wide range of temperature right up to 1000 °C (1832 °F) thanks to the inclusion of an opacifier to block the transmission of infra red radiation.
The original Microtherm® formulation was patented in 1965.
Realising the commercial potential of the new insulation, Joseph McWilliams and John Hughes teamed up with Doug Lovatt and Mike Hardiman and formed Micropore International Ltd. The company headquarters was established at Hadzor, near Droitwich in the UK.
From that humble beginning grew the Microtherm Group of companies with sites in Europe, Asia, and the USA, and a network of Global Partners around the world.
Manufacture began in the UK and then in 1971 a second manufacturing site was opened in Sint-Niklaas in Belgium.
The Nippon Microtherm Company started in Japan in 1983 and Microtherm Inc started in the USA in 1992.
Micropore International Ltd remained as the company name until 1999 when it was changed to Microtherm International Ltd to reflect the internationally recognized product name.
At the start of the new millennium the decision was taken to consolidate all European manufacture at the larger site at Sint-Niklaas. This formally became the Group HQ and was extended in size by almost 50% to provide even better manufacturing and development facilities.
Microtherm® is the market leader in advanced microporous insulation solutions with more than double the market share of its closest competitor.
Microtherm® - the original and still the best.