History

1978

Heat Trace produce the world's first cut-to-length parallel resistance tracer

Heat Trace’s patented Heat Tracer cable was introduced into the market as the first cut-to-length tracer in 1978. The Heat Tracer remains to this day the most thermally efficient parallel resistance heating cable.

1982

Heat Trace introduce 'Longline', a series resistance tracer for long pipelines

‘Longline’ is launched for buried pipelines in New Zealand. Almost 3 decades later, after millions of metres, Heat Trace has never experienced a manufacturing related product failure. ‘Longline’, now re-invented, is the lowest cost solution for long pipeline tracing.

1986

Heat Trace develops Self Regulating Controllers

Heat Trace patented PowerMatch in 1986, to convert constant power heaters into self-regulating systems. The PowerMatch’s air sensing principle remains at the heart of PowerMatch Micro+, launched 25 years later in 2009, and is now suitable for all generic heater types.

1998

Heat Trace Ltd launch the world's highest temperature parallel resistance cut-to-length constant power heating cable

Heat Trace’s patented AHT mineral insulated, metal-sheathed heater that can withstand 425°C continuously and has power outputs to 200W/m. Over a decade later it still remains the world’s highest temperature parallel resistance constant power heat tracer.

2000

Heat Trace become the first UK manufacturer of Self Regulating Heating Cables

After partnering for a number of years with Korea's LG Cable, Heat Trace switches the manufacture of semi-conductive self-regulating heating cables to the United Kingdom.

2003

Heat Trace Ltd introduces the world's highest temperature Self Regulating Heat Tracer

Heat Trace’s FSU Freezstop Ultimo has a continuous withstand temperature of 250°C un-energised, may be continuously energised at 200°C and has outputs up to 90W/m – and this remains, to this day, a higher capability than any other competitor worldwide.

2004

Heat Trace can resurrect failed Self Regulating Tracers (usually those of competitors!)

Heat Trace patents a method of resurrecting failed self-regulating cables in-situ, with access only required at the cable ends.

2005

Heat Trace makes series resistance self regulating heat tracers

Heat Trace patents series resistance self-regulating heating cables for various applications. Watch this space for future new products, such as LadderMat.

2007

Self Regulating Heaters without high in-rush currents

Heat Trace patent Soft-Start DiscTM, a negative temperature coefficient (NTC) device, that reduces in-rush current of self-regulating heaters by up to 60% on start-up, thereby improving safety by enabling type B circuit breakers to be used. Soft-Start DiscTM increases product life by up to 300%, improving energy efficiency and subsequently reducing power cable and switchgear sizes.

2010

World's first 300°C Self Regulating Tracer

Heat Trace launch AFS FailSafe, breaking the temperature withstand record held by Heat Trace’s own FailSafe Ultimo. AFS FailSafe withstands 300°C energised / unenergised. The patented continuously extruded aluminium jacket and mineral insulation permits temperatures beyond the limits of polymeric materials. Heat Trace's whole range of self-regulating heating cables are inherently temperature-safe.

2010

Heat Trace invests in unique continuous metal extrusion facility

Heat Trace is now able to produce its own metal heating conductors and provide its whole range of cables with an optional metal over-jacket, for a high degree of mechanical protection.

2011

The world's first subsea electrically heat traced, reeled Pipe-in-Pipe system

24Km of Longline heating cables heat a gas condensate pipeline for the Islay Gas and Condensate field located in the UK waters of the North Sea.

2012

Heat Trace continues to spend 10-15% of its revenue on Research & Development

Heat Trace Limited has a higher R & D spend than its competitors. At this time Heat Trace Ltd had over 20 patent applications under review.

2014

Heat Trace celebrates 40 years in business

Heat Trace celebrates its 40th year in business by winning the Queen's Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category!

2021

Heat Trace joins the NIBE Group

Heat Trace becomes part of the Global NIBE Group, part of NIBE Element (the world’s largest element manufacturer), and represents NIBE in the UK as one of over 60 Group companies that are based all over the world. NIBE is a global group that develops and manufactures intelligent, energy-efficient indoor comfort solutions for all types of properties. NIBE Element manufactures components and solutions for intelligent heating and control for industry and infrastructure.