Excessive Temperature Materials Techniques (HTMS), a Bristol-based startup creating superior heat-resistant supplies, has raised €1.5 million to make ‘supermaterials’ extra accessible for mass-market functions. Based by engineers Dr Danilo Di Salvo and Dr Richard Grainger, the corporate goals to take high-performance supplies usually utilized in aerospace and apply them to on a regular basis industries corresponding to automotive manufacturing and electrical car battery manufacturing.
The funding spherical was backed by the British Enterprise Financial institution’s South West Funding Fund and Midlands Engine Funding Fund II, by Maven Capital Companions and Mercia Ventures. Further assist got here from SFC Capital, DeepTech Labs, Plug and Play, and several other angel buyers. The funding will allow HTMS to open a brand new manufacturing facility in Wiltshire, set up an workplace in Leamington Spa, and proceed increasing its analysis and improvement efforts.
HTMS specialises in Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs), supplies that mix the warmth resistance of ceramics with fibres for improved energy and adaptability. CMCs, famously used on the underside of the Area Shuttle, can face up to excessive environments and are considerably lighter than steel. Nevertheless, their widespread use has been restricted attributable to excessive manufacturing prices.
Dr Di Salvo and Dr Grainger, who collectively have over twenty years of expertise within the composites trade, have developed a producing course of that dramatically reduces the power, time and price required to provide CMCs. Initially experimenting with their methodology on a kitchen range, the pair based HTMS in 2021 to convey their breakthrough to market and create the UK’s first home provide chain for these supplies.
HTMS is already collaborating with main automotive and battery producers, in addition to analysis companions together with Cranfield College. With its supplies able to withstanding temperatures as much as 1400°C, the corporate is presently specializing in functions corresponding to exhaust elements, brake shims and electrical car battery casings — three of probably the most urgent thermal challenges going through the automotive sector.
Primarily based in Stratford-upon-Avon, with a laboratory in Bristol, HTMS employs a workforce of eight and expects to create round 40 new jobs over the following 4 years because it scales manufacturing. The worldwide marketplace for high-performance CMCs is projected to greater than double by 2033, exceeding $25 billion.
Dr Danilo Di Salvo, CEO and Co-founder of HTMS, mentioned: “Richard and I noticed the potential of superior thermal composites however had been pissed off with the excessive price and lack of a UK provide chain. It is a improbable second for British manufacturing. We’re excited to scale up manufacturing of our world-leading merchandise and stay up for rising our enterprise and championing British innovation.”
Rafi Khan, Funding Supervisor at Maven, mentioned: “HTMS has developed a really differentiated manufacturing course of for high-performance ceramic composites, combining technical excellence with industrial perception. As industries search light-weight, heat-resistant supplies which can be scalable and sustainable, HTMS’s platform is nicely positioned to ship actual affect. We’re happy to assist Danilo, Richard and the workforce as they enter their subsequent stage of progress.”
Shubham Jaipuria, Investor at Mercia Ventures, added: “HTMS’s superior supplies open up new prospects throughout a spread of industries – from safer electrical automobiles and extra fuel-efficient plane to improved power storage. By enabling the launch of the brand new laboratory, this funding will even assist to create a home provide chain for these essential new supplies.”
Beth Bannister, Senior Funding Supervisor at British Enterprise Financial institution, mentioned: “This funding is the primary time the Midlands Engine Funding Fund II and the South West Funding Fund have labored collectively. By bringing collectively our experience and funding, we have now been capable of assist HTMS’s growth throughout each areas, serving to to create expert jobs, strengthen the UK’s provide chain for superior supplies, and assist one of many key progress sectors recognized within the UK’s fashionable Industrial Technique.”
