Graphite materials and solutions manufacturer Carbone Lorraine acquired a majority share in Calcarb, the second largest manufacturer of rigid graphite felt for the solar industry. According to the two companies, the venture complements Carbone Lorraine's existing solutions for solar, industrial, semiconductor and high temperature furnace components.

Calcarb's products will benefit from the Carbone Lorraine international sales and support network, giving the group access to markets not serviced previously. Calcarb's rigid graphite complements Carbone Lorraine's High Temperature Division's current range of products including rigid and flexible graphite felts. Rigid felts are used as insulation in extremely high-temperature furnaces found in the semiconductor and solar energy markets.

Calcarb's reputation for high quality products will enable Carbone Lorraine to make a strong and profitable growth in the graphite insulation market and strengthen its position in the solar energy market. Calcarb was a subsidiary of Inductotherm, which specializes in vacuum and induction furnaces. Calcarb Ltd., headquartered in Scotland, manufactures high purity carbon bonded carbon fiber (CBCF) based rigid insulation and precursor materials for vacuum and controlled atmosphere furnaces. In 2008, Calcarb moved into a new manufacturing facility, doubling its annual production capacity of low and medium density carbon-based products.

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