APL Engineered Materials, Inc., was founded in 1944 by Dr. Scott Anderson. In the late 1950s, under a grant from the US Atomic Energy Commission, Anderson Physics Laboratory began to purify alkali halides. Shortly after, lamp companies began to use APL’s purified salts. The patented process of producing ultra-dry, high-purity salts increased the efficiency and life of high-pressure discharge lamps. APL products are found in conventional lamps for indoor/outdoor applications as well as automobiles. Their client list includes most of the lamp manufacturers around the world.
Since 2015, APL entered the radiation detection market launching products such as high purity cesium iodide, thallium iodide, lanthanum bromide, cerium bromide, strontium iodide, europium iodide, 6Li salts, etc. The materials are used by customers to grow single crystals or make thin films. APL products are found in X-ray medical and industrial imaging systems.
APL continues to grow its presence in other energy markets by providing key raw materials for photovoltaics, energy storage, displays, and the nuclear industries. Learn more at
https://aplmaterials.com/.
Fun facts about the company:
• Products made by APL Engineered Materials, Inc.: high purity, moisture-free materials such as halides, oxides, and metals.
• Largest global producer of chemicals used in high-pressure sodium lamps, the yellowish lamps used for street lighting & indoor plant growth.
• Majority of metal halide lamps, lamps used in stadiums and outdoor lights, contain salts made at APL.
Date: Thursday, October 16, 2025
Time: 1-3:30 pm
*Two tours – 60 minutes each – will be offered. The time slots are 1-2 PM and 2:30-3:30 PM
Location: APL Engineered Materials, Inc. – 2401 N. Willow Road, Urbana, IL 61802
*Free parking is available in their lot.
RSVP: Please register at
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0A4DA5AF28A2FB6-57807313-2025.
A few notes for the tour:
• Each tour is limited to 20 participants.
• You must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must wear sturdy closed-toe and closed-heel shoes – no flip-flops, clogs, or high heels. Tennis shoes are acceptable.
• Safety glasses will be required and provided.
• No photos allowed.
About Manufacturing Day: Manufacturing Day is a celebration of modern manufacturing meant to inspire the next generation of manufacturers and occurs on the first Friday in October. Manufacturing Day addresses common misperceptions about manufacturing by giving manufacturers an opportunity to open their doors and show, in a coordinated effort, what manufacturing is — and what it isn’t. Learn more at
http://www.mfgday.com/. October is Manufacturing Month in Illinois.
Questions? Contact:
• Gautam Gundiah, President – APL Engineered Materials, Inc.:
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• Carly McCrory-McKay, Executive Director – Champaign County EDC: carly(at)champaigncountyedc(dot)org
National Manufacturing Day and Illinois Manufacturing Month activities in Champaign County are presented by Champaign County Economic Development Corporation and The Atkins Group.
https://mfgday.com/events/mfgday25-apl-engineered-materials-tour/
You may also like the following events from Champaign County Economic Development Corporation:
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