Harper International
Treatment equipment and furnaces
Company Overview and History
Harper International, headquartered in Buffalo, NY, is a global leader in providing custom-engineered thermal processing systems. The company's legacy traces back to John L. Harper, who patented the first electric kilns and furnaces in the early 1900s. Over the decades, Harper has pioneered advanced systems for nuclear fuels in the 1940s and was an early partner in the burgeoning carbon fiber industry. The current entity was formed in 1989 by private investors to acquire John Harper's company's patents and expertise, becoming employee-owned (ESOP) in 2011. Harper's mission is to 'Build on our past and challenge the present to create the future of thermal processing,' embodying its tagline 'Spark the Future.'
Products and Services
Harper specializes in innovative, customized furnace, kiln, and oven systems designed for processing advanced materials at high temperatures, ranging from 300°C to 3000°C, and in controlled or non-ambient atmospheres. Their engineering expertise covers a wide array of styles, including Rotary Tube, Pusher Tunnel, Belt Conveyor, Vertical Conveyor, Slot, Elevator, and Box Kilns, as well as advanced Microwave Systems and Ultra-High Temperature (UHT) furnaces. These systems are utilized for diverse applications such as calcination, graphitization, carburization, controlled oxidation, purification, pyrolysis, and more.
Carbon Fiber Processing Solutions
Harper International is recognized as a world leader in integrated Carbon Fiber processing systems, from scientific research lines to large-scale production. They offer complete process lines (scientific, pilot, and production scales, up to 4 meters wide) capable of processing traditional precursors like polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and pitch, as well as alternative, low-cost precursors such as lignin, rayon, and polyethylene. Key offerings include state-of-the-art Oxidation Ovens, which demonstrate exceptional performance with air velocity uniformity of 2.2% and temperature uniformity of +/-2.5°C, and Slot Furnaces capable of operating up to 3000°C. Harper's solutions encompass full line integration, material handling, gas treatment, pre & post-treatment, and fully integrated control systems.
Innovation and Customer Support
The company provides comprehensive support through its specialized programs. The `Ignite® Program` offers access to advanced piloting facilities and thermal processing experts for R&D testing, process development, scale-up, and toll processing, helping innovations transition from lab to commercialization. The `Pulse® Program` delivers extensive aftermarket services, including technical support, field service, preventative maintenance, genuine replacement parts, and engineered solutions for equipment uptime and optimization. Harper serves critical advanced materials markets, including Carbon Fiber, Energy Device Materials, Carbon & Graphene, Metal Oxides, Nuclear Materials, Powders, Rare Earths, and Technical Ceramics.
