High Temperature Material Systems (HTMS), a UK-based advanced materials startup headquartered in Stratford-upon-Avon and Bristol, has raised £1.3 million in funding to accelerate the development and commercialization of its innovative heat-resistant materials.
The funding round was backed by the British Business Bank’s South West Investment Fund and Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, through fund managers Maven Capital Partners and Mercia Ventures. Additional participation came from SFC Capital, DeepTech Labs, Plug and Play Ventures (US), and several angel investors.
With the fresh capital, HTMS plans to open a new production facility in Wiltshire and a corporate office in Leamington Spa, alongside expanding its research and development efforts. The company aims to make high-performance materials, traditionally limited to the aerospace industry, more accessible for mass-market applications such as electric vehicle (EV) battery casings, automotive components, and industrial parts.
Pioneering Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs)
Founded in 2021 by Dr. Danilo Di Salvo and Dr. Richard Grainger, HTMS specializes in Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMCs) — a class of materials that blend the heat resistance of ceramics with fiber reinforcement for enhanced strength and flexibility.
The founders began their innovation journey at home, experimenting with material processes on their kitchen stove before officially launching HTMS. Since then, the company has grown into a deep-tech player working with automotive and battery manufacturers, Cranfield University, and other leading research institutions.
HTMS’s proprietary materials can withstand temperatures up to 1400°C, making them ideal for use in exhaust systems, brake shims, and EV battery casings — three critical areas where managing extreme heat is vital for performance and safety.
Driving Innovation and Job Creation
Currently employing a team of eight, HTMS operates out of Bristol and Stratford-upon-Avon. With its upcoming expansion into larger premises, the company plans to create 40 new jobs over the next four years.
“Our mission is to take materials that were once exclusive to aerospace and make them available to the wider market,” said Dr. Danilo Di Salvo, Co-Founder of HTMS. “This investment gives us the foundation to scale production and meet the growing demand for sustainable, high-performance materials across industries.”
By enabling broader access to advanced thermal management solutions, HTMS is set to play a key role in supporting the EV transition, enhancing energy efficiency, and reducing industrial carbon footprints.