Kanthal operates through two primary business units: Heating Materials and Heating Systems. Heating Materials focuses on advanced heating alloys used in industrial, appliance, and thermocouple applications. On the other hand, Heating Systems provides a wider range of offerings, including metallic and ceramic elements, modules, and end-to-end solutions for high-temperature industrial applications. This dual approach sets Kanthal apart, delivering high-quality materials and fully integrated heating solutions all in one place.
Simon Lile, President Business Unit Heating Systems, Kanthal
Simon Lile, a seasoned professional with decades of experience at Alleima, Kanthal’s parent company, is at the helm of the company’s Heating Systems segment. He brings a broad understanding of the industry and a forthright vision for the future of Heating Systems. As the demand for industrial electrification grows, he sees an opportunity to strengthen Kanthal’s global market leadership and drive innovation. The President of Kanthal’s Heating Systems business shares insights on industry, the challenges ahead, and what’s next for industrial heating.
A new chapter for Heating Systems
Lile has spent over 30 years in the industry, witnessing firsthand how markets evolve and industries adapt. Over the years, Kanthal stood out to him for its strong brand, ingenuity, and the pride of its employees. When the opportunity arose to lead the Heating Systems business, stepping into the role felt like a natural progression.
“The market is shifting rapidly with decarbonization, the push for electrification, and the growing demand for more energy-efficient industrial processes. Kanthal has long built its strategy around these shifts, and I saw an opportunity to further capitalize on this foundation,” Lile explains. “Kanthal already has a strong foundation in electric heating technology, and I believe that my experience, combined with an outside-in perspective, positioned me well for this role.”
What excites him most is Kanthal’s ability to lead in two critical areas. “We already have a strong core electrical heating business coupled with the expertise to develop new products that accelerate gas-to-electric transitions, supporting larger-scale electrification projects. That’s a unique position to be in.
Building on a legacy of innovation
Heating Systems is where materials expertise meets application-driven solutions. In an era of industrial transformation, the demand for advanced heating technology has never been greater.
Customers are no longer just looking for high-performance materials; they need coherent solutions that enhance efficiency, cut emissions, and support the next generation of manufacturing.
“At our core, we are an engineering company,” says Lile. “What makes Heating Systems unique is how we have forward-integrated into solutions, getting closer to the application and understanding our customers’ needs better. This enables us to drive innovation tailored to our customers’ real-world challenges.”
Industries are evolving, and so are their expectations. “The customers are asking for more, whether it’s solutions for decarbonization, materials for battery production, or high-performance products for the electronics sector,” Lile notes. “We are constantly reinventing to meet these demands.”
Staying ahead in a competitive market
Kanthal operates in a specialized market where leadership is built on technical know-how, advancement, and the ability to solve complex industrial challenges. “We are the global market leader in electric heating solutions, but we continue to strengthen this position by investing more into R&D than ever before and expanding our production footprint in Europe, the USA, and Asia to enhance capacity and meet growing customer demands,” Lile explains.
Kanthal’s ability to fuse technology with practical implementation gives it a distinctive edge. “Rather than focusing solely on materials, we combine engineering excellence with practical industry insights to develop heating solutions tailored to our customers’ needs,” Lile expresses.
Collaboration is key
Partnerships are fundamental to Kanthal’s success. “It starts with our customers,” Lile emphasizes. “Our sales teams work closely with them to understand their needs. That insight flows into R&D, which innovates a solution and then collaborates with production to develop and deliver the best solutions.”
Beyond internal collaboration, Kanthal has built strategic alliances to strengthen domain knowledge and global reach. Lile highlights three key partnerships:
- RATH Group: Enhancing Kanthal’s product portfolio with high-performance insulation solutions.
- CEBA: Developing electrical ladle heating systems based on Kanthal’s unique heating solutions.
- Danieli: A development partnership driving large-scale electrification for Direct Reduced iron (DRI) and ironmaking (Blast Furnace).
“These partnerships connect each other's core capabilities to bring a unique offering, enabling us to tackle industrial challenges more effectively,” Lile adds.
Breakthrough technologies shaping the next decade
We are pushing the boundaries with future-ready products such as flow heaters and electrified process gas heating solutions.
As industrial processes become more energy-intensive and sustainability goals more ambitious, the real challenge goes beyond simply replacing fossil fuels with electricity. It is about making electrification scalable, efficient, and viable for industries that have depended on conventional heating methods for decades.
"We are pushing the boundaries with future-ready products such as flow heaters and electrified process gas heating solutions," Lile shares.
“Industries such as steel, cement, and petrochemicals require megawatt-scale electrical solutions, and we are developing the technologies to meet this demand. This will be a game-changer for decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors," Lile affirms.
Another key area is power-to-X technologies, including solid oxide electrolyzer cells (SOEC). “We see tremendous opportunities in renewable energy applications, where our heating solutions can enable efficient energy conversion,” Lile conveys.
AI, digitalization, and automation: The next frontier
To keep up with the evolving tech landscape, Kanthal is integrating advanced digital tools to enhance efficiency, optimize operations, and improve customer interactions. The company recognizes that digitalization encompasses making processes smarter, faster, and more responsive to industry demands.
“Automation is critical as we scale up. It allows us to increase efficiency, reduce lead times, and ensure precision in our processes. At the same time, we’re improving our e-commerce platforms and chatbots to create a more seamless customer experience, making it easier for clients to access the information and support they need,” Lile accentuates.
Artificial intelligence and data-driven insights also play an increasingly central role in Kanthal’s strategy. “AI will enhance process optimization and customer interactions. By leveraging data more effectively, we can anticipate equipment needs, improve energy efficiency, and help customers optimize their operations,” Lile asserts.
With automation, AI, and digital platforms becoming integral to industrial processes, Kanthal aims to remain at the forefront of digital transformation. By embracing these technologies, the company is streamlining internal operations, creating more value for customers in an increasingly digitalized industrial landscape.
The road to 2030
Kanthal envisions a future centered around two key priorities: advancing large-scale electrification and further solidifying its core business. “By 2030, we will have megawatt-scale electrical heating solutions in the market, actively assisting industries in cutting down emissions. This will be a significant milestone not just for Kanthal but for the entire global decarbonization effort,” Lile predicts.
However, this transformation must go hand in hand with continuity. “As we drive substantial change, maintaining our core business is equally vital,” Lile emphasizes. “Sustaining our market leadership and continuing to innovate across all applications are just as crucial.”
Lile is optimistic about Kanthal’s prowess to maintain superiority while mapping the way forward. “We’re not merely reacting to industry trends, we’re setting them. Whether it’s large-scale electrification, advanced manufacturing, or breakthroughs in material innovation, Kanthal is leading the charge. We possess the expertise, partnerships, and vision to steer the industry into the next era,” Lile concludes.