At Kanthal, resistance heating alloys aren’t just part of the offering, they’re part of the origin story. They form the foundation of the company’s Heating Materials business unit, which, together with Heating Systems, shapes the organizational structure. While Heating Systems focuses on delivering full-scale high-temperature heating solutions, Heating Materials is where the alloys are developed, the ones that make those systems, and many others, possible. This segment operates on materials science, deep application knowledge, and skills to adapt to fast-changing industrial needs.

Linda Johansson, President of Heating Materials, Kanthal.Linda Johansson, President of Heating Materials, brings a fresh lens to the business. After several years in HR and other strategic roles, she stepped into a position that blends technical depth with forward-looking leadership. Her focus now: steering Kanthal’s material expertise into the future of electrification and energy control.

A legacy forged in alloy

Kanthal’s journey began with a breakthrough in the 1930s: the invention of FeCrAl (iron-chromium-aluminum) alloys. That moment of invention shaped the trajectory of electric heating across industries.

Nearly a century later, that spirit of innovation still fuels the Heating Materials business unit.

“Our business was built on alloy development,” Johansson reflects. “That’s still our core strength. Customers come to us for materials that perform under pressure and extreme heat, that’s where we lead.”

But the bar keeps rising. As industries evolve, so do their material expectations.

“Today, it’s not enough for an alloy to survive high temperatures,” she continues. “It has to actively support the customer’s goals, whether generating heat, storing it efficiently, or performing in entirely new ways.”

To stay ahead, Kanthal has developed the capability to melt and refine many alloys, including proprietary blends and standard grades. This range provides the company with the agility to support legacy manufacturing while also engineering solutions for emerging technologies.

“The job of our materials is changing as the world electrifies,” Johansson points out. “In wind power, for instance, our alloys are used in braking resistors and load banks that help manage and stabilize energy. It’s not just about heating anymore, it’s also about enabling the transition.”

Industrial electrification isn’t simply a swap from gas to electric, it’s a complete rethink of how heat is delivered, scaled, and controlled. And the materials behind that shift need to keep pace.

This is where Kanthal’s expertise becomes tangible. By tailoring materials to specific demands and responding fast when those demands shift, the company helps customers build real-world solutions, not just prototypes.

Built for adaptability, designed to deliver

We don’t just deliver alloys, we deliver insight. With R&D, production, sales, and application specialists all under one roof, we can move quickly from a customer’s challenge to a tested solution.

In a world of high-volume producers, Kanthal chooses to remain niche. While most major metal producers operate massive melting shops, Kanthal works differently. Its setup is designed for precision over scale.

“Our melting shop is intentionally smaller, which gives us the flexibility to handle specialized requests that larger players simply can’t accommodate,” Johansson explains.

This flexibility has become essential in markets where customers demand custom solutions, smaller volumes, and fast turnarounds.

“Speed matters, so does being close to the application. We don’t just deliver alloys, we deliver insight. With R&D, production, sales, and application specialists all under one roof, we can move quickly from a customer’s challenge to a tested solution,” she continues.

This integrated setup also means greater control over quality, timelines, and technical adaptation. In a market where materials must meet evolving demands under pressure, that control makes all the difference.

“When customers come to us, they’re not just buying a material. They’re choosing a partner to think with them, move with them, and help them navigate what’s next,” Johansson states.

Smarter materials, powered by data 

At Kanthal, innovation isn’t limited to alloys, it’s also about how they are made. By integrating automation and digital tools into production, the company is building materials with greater consistency, accuracy, and insight.

“We’re adding cameras to critical steps of our production process. They track dimensions, surface quality, and internal structure in real time. That allows us to catch deviations early and reduce the need for manual inspections,” Johansson shares.

“Data is a bridge between quality and efficiency. With AI and advanced analytics, we can compare performance across batches, optimize our processes, and respond faster. It helps us make smarter decisions and ultimately helps our customers do the same,” she adds.

As global demand for AI infrastructure surges, new business opportunities for Kanthal to support energy systems behind the scenes also emerge.

“The rise of AI and data centers is good for us. We supply materials for load banks and power systems that help manage and stabilize these energy-intensive operations,” Johansson highlights.

Fewer emissions. More intention.

For Kanthal, sustainability is more than an initiative; it’s how the business is being rebuilt from the inside out. The changes occurring across Kanthal’s production lines are transforming how the company operates.

“We are making real progress in reducing our CO₂ footprint,” Johansson shares. “These changes aren’t cosmetic; they’re fundamental upgrades that enable us to cut emissions without compromising quality or output.”

Once fully implemented, Kanthal’s in-house operations will function with a minimal carbon footprint.

But Johansson is quick to point out that sustainability extends beyond what comes out of the furnaces.

“It’s also about how we treat people,” she continues. “Sustainability means cultivating a workplace where people feel safe, physically and mentally. It means being inclusive and ensuring everyone feels seen, valued, and supported.”

Because durable materials mean little if the culture surrounding them isn’t designed to last as well.

For customers, “Sustainability is no longer a bonus; it’s a driver,” says Johansson.

“Cost and performance still matter, of course. But increasingly, customers acknowledge that sustainable choices often lead to better quality and longer-term benefits.”

“In Europe, carbon taxes are encouraging companies to rethink their energy and material usage,” she explains. Still, across sectors and regions, the trend is clear: companies that invest in sustainable practices aren’t just ticking boxes; they’re gaining momentum, credibility, and resilience.

Not waiting for the future, building it 

Johansson doesn’t speak hypothetically when it comes to the future. For her, what’s coming isn’t abstract, it’s already underway.

“In five years, we’ll still be leading in heating materials,” she says. “But we won’t just be delivering alloys, we’ll be solving the complex problems behind them, side by side with our customers.”

That vision is backed by clear priorities: investing in the sectors shaping tomorrow’s industries—AI, electrification, semiconductors, solar, and evolving how Kanthal works to meet them head-on.