Whether you call it fused silica or just a high-grade glass, you can look to Minco. Its products are able to withstand higher-than-normal temperatures, making them useful as conductors for electronics and in other industries that use ceramic-based products. Investment casing and resin filler grades are used in applications that include electrical elements, refractories, and friction materials. The company operates from offices in the US and Europe. In 2007 Ceradyne acquired Minco for about $25 million. Minco was a supplier to Ceradyne, which makes use of its powders in ceramic crucibles used in the manufacture of photovoltaic solar cells. Other partners include Nalco (water-treatment and other industrial chemicals).