From energy challenges to new possibilities

Juan Diego Colegial, master’s student, KTH Royal Institute of TechnologyJuan Diego Colegial came to Sweden from Colombia, bringing a background in mechanical engineering and two years of experience in the energy sector. His work in natural gas and hydrogen storage had already shown him how deeply energy depends on materials and how fragile that relationship can be.

“During my visit to Kanthal, I found it really interesting how the energy transition is being targeted through alternative solutions from the materials engineering perspective,” he notes. “The approach of reducing carbon footprint through a material that can withstand high temperatures is clever. It opens possibilities not only for industries that require such material but also for new technologies that operate at extreme conditions.”

What struck him most was the lab: the level of detail in testing, measuring, and improving. “It demonstrated Kanthal's commitment to guaranteeing a high-quality product by meticulously tracking irregularities and using data to drive improvements.”

For Colegial, the visit was more than inspiring and felt like a possible future. “I could see myself working at Kanthal. A company that looks into the future, adapts to the market, and brings sustainable solutions through research aligns perfectly with my ambitions.”

Seeing theory in practice

Reyhaneh Monfared, master’s student, KTH Royal Institute of TechnologyFor fellow master’s student Reyhaneh Monfared, the visit was a reminder of why she chose this path in the first place.

“I love the world of materials, the way we can design, form, and build with them,” she expresses. “At Kanthal, I could see how what I have learned in books is applied in real industry.”

She was surprised by the breadth of Kanthal’s activities, especially the work in additive manufacturing. “It shows commitment to modern approaches alongside traditional powder metallurgy,” she remarks. “The visit helped me understand how sustainability and cost-effectiveness shape the decisions engineers need to make.”

Reyhaneh also views Kanthal as a place where she could build her career. “Working at a world-class company like Kanthal, with its focus on advanced materials, furnace electrification, and innovative heating element design leading to a more sustainable world, would be an honor for me.”

Research with impact

Dev Sethia, master’s student, KTH Royal Institute of TechnologyFor Dev Sethia, with a background in chemical engineering, the most valuable part was meeting Kanthal engineers and seeing how research translates into impact.

“It broadened my view of industrial engineering,” he elucidates. “I was surprised to learn the number of industries Kanthal touches and how quickly the company adapts to the changing energy and metal production landscape. It’s motivating to see research turn into something that keeps entire industries running.”

The experience made him think about his own path. “I can certainly see myself working at Kanthal due to the wide array of research opportunities and the creative freedom given to employees working on different projects.”

Why it matters for us too

We’re a company with a long history, but we’re also pushing into new territory. Electrification is our focus, and reinventing ourselves with innovative ideas will get us there.

Jesse White, R&D Manager Application Development, KanthalFor Jesse White, R&D Manager at Kanthal and a KTH graduate, the value of these visits goes both ways. “When students come here, they don’t just listen. They ask questions, they challenge us, and they remind us why what we do matters,” he explains.

“Welcoming students into this reality helps them see the opportunities in front of them and helps us see the future workforce we’ll rely on,” White adds.

Each student took something different from their time at Kanthal, whether it was the lab, the R&D focus, or the conversations with engineers. But what united them was the recognition that materials engineering is central to solving today’s industrial challenges. And for all three, Kanthal felt like the kind of company where they could imagine themselves contributing to that progress.

As White put it: “We’re a company with a long history, but we’re also pushing into new territory. Electrification is our focus, and reinventing ourselves with innovative ideas will get us there.”

That’s why these visits won’t stop. Because the students we welcome today may soon be the ones shaping the breakthroughs of tomorrow.