Buy online: Company History
Element Six can trace its history back to 1946 when Sir Ernest Oppenheimer established the first company in the world to focus on the industrial uses of natural diamond, Industrial Distributors Ltd. The following year a dedicated research laboratory is set up in Johannesburg, South Africa as a key resource into understanding materials and the development of new applications relating to diamond.
In 1953, the world of supermaterials changed forever when the first synthesis of diamond is achieved by a high pressure, high temperature process. In 1960 such processes are commercialised and production volume manufacturing of synthetic diamond starts in South Africa in 1960 and Ireland three years later.
In 1969 the company added an important new supermaterial, cubic boron nitride, (CBN) which broadened the markets that could be served. The Initial use of CBN was to grind hardened steel components. Over the next decade further additions both to the CBN and synthetic diamond products, make the company one of the leaders in the market for supermaterials.
In the late 1980s, the company added a second research facility to complement its South African laboratories. Then in 1989, another technological leap was achieved when the research group achieved diamond synthesis using a process called chemical vapour deposition or CVD. CVD diamond is now an important supermaterial with a growing application area.
In 2002, the company rebrands to Element Six, marking a period of change in its history and set out plans for growth and expansion under the new CEO, Christian Hultner.
In 2007, Element Six sets up two new subsidiaries to develop and market advanced products based on synthetic diamond developed within the company. Element Six acquires Barat Carbide, a leader in tungsten carbide technology for the construction and mining industries.
In 2008, Element Six sets out a new company structure with new dedicated business areas focussed on key markets and announces ambitious growth plans for all its supermaterial products. Part of this includes the launch of a dedicated venture fund with significant resources to invest in all forms of innovative ideas and activities related to synthetic diamond.