Born from Japan’s spirit of craftsmanship, MAFTEC transforms advanced materials into global solutions. The company is driving cleaner mobility, energy efficiency, and sustainability worldwide.
By Daniel de Bomford
Like a silkworm spinning threads that withstand both time and flame, MAFTEC has woven its legacy into the very fabric of modern industry. Born in the crucible of Japan’s manufacturing renaissance, its fibers now stretch across continents, insulating the engines of cars, the furnaces of steelworks, and the batteries powering a sustainable future. What began as a single strand of material science in the 1980s has become a global tapestry of resilience, technology and trust.
Born in the 1980s within Mitsubishi Chemical, MAFTEC rose as a trusted name in high-performance insulation. Since becoming independent under Apollo Global Management in 2022, President Kosuke Matsuzaki says the brand’s spirit and values have stayed firmly intact.
The Power of MAFTEC
At the heart of the company’s success is its MAFTEC blanket, which has been engineered for exceptional heat resistance and versatility. The company processes the blanket into specific forms, such as MAFTEC Bulk and MAFTEC OBM. The material primarily serves as a thermal barrier in temperatures exposed to extreme heat.
MAFTEC materials are primarily used in the automotive industry for parts like catalytic converters, but Matsuzaki sees opportunities in critical sectors. “Our technology is also applied in heat insulation for industrial furnaces, and more recently in emerging areas such as EV batteries and stationary batteries,” he says.
Enabling a Green Industrial Revolution
He says there’s no question that batteries for EV vehicles represent one of the most promising opportunities for MAFTEC, where EVs are projected to account for 30 percent of light vehicles on the road in the next 20 years. With its brand carrying recognition and trust in the automotive industry, the company has a significant advantage in expanding into the EV market.
Simultaneously, MAFTEC’s skid post block, a rigid insulation for steelmaking furnaces, offers a leap forward in energy efficiency. Traditionally, cement or metal has been used for the pillars in furnace systems. “These conventional materials are heavy, prone to cracking under high heat, and can allow energy loss when they fail,” Matsuzaki says. “Our skid post blocks, by contrast, are lightweight, durable, and capable of withstanding temperatures up to 1600 degrees Celsius without breaking.” The skid post block is also excellent at reducing CO2 emissions by preventing heat leakage and simplifying installation.
Fire-retardant material for battery EV
Navigating Shifting Markets
EV adoption may have slowed, but tightening emissions rules are fueling demand for high-temperature materials like MAFTEC’s, as catalytic converters move closer to engines and face harsher conditions. Commercial vehicle demand is rising in emerging markets like India, Africa, and South America, with trucks using about ten times more material than passenger cars, which will drive steady growth through 2030.
Following its independence, MAFTEC established MAFTEC US and MAFTEC Europe to strengthen global operations. The company is actively seeking strategic partners in the United States, particularly within the steel industry. Matsuzaki personally attended the AIST (Advanced Iron and Steel Technology) event in May 2025, meeting with potential American partners to accelerate market entry.
“Direct engagement is crucial for building long-term relationships,” he says—a philosophy that mirrors Japan’s tradition of relationship-driven business while reflecting a modern, global outlook.
Backed by Strength, the Next 100 Years
MAFTEC’s next chapter is backed by Advantage Partners, one of Japan’s leading private equity firms. With a record of supporting over 70 companies, it brings strategic expertise to help MAFTEC accelerate innovation and global growth.
For Matsuzaki, who became president in 2024, success is measured in legacy as much as market share. His vision is to build “a company that can thrive for 100 years,” founded on sustainability and mutual effort. “In Japan, we call this concept Sampo-yoshi—'good for the seller, good for the buyer, and good for society,’” he says. “This philosophy underpins everything we do.”
To hear more from President Kosuke Matsuzaki of MAFTEC Group, check out this interview with him.
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