Graphite packing and gaskets for industrial valve stems represent a fundamental technical solution to ensure sealing integrity, safety, and operational reliability in plants operating under severe pressure, temperature, and chemical aggressiveness conditions. In sectors such as oil & gas, chemical, petrochemical, power generation, water treatment, and industrial processing, the correct selection of graphite gaskets and packing systems is essential to minimize leakage, extend valve service life, and comply with end-user specifications and standards.
Carrara S.p.A. specializes in the manufacturing of graphite gaskets and sealing systems for industrial valves, with consolidated know-how in stem, body, and seat sealing applications, including special solutions for critical services and extreme operating conditions. When it comes to graphite gaskets, not all solutions are equivalent: raw material quality and manufacturing processes directly affect key parameters such as mechanical strength, elastic recovery, chemical compatibility, and high-temperature performance. For this reason, Carrara uses high-grade expanded graphite, carefully selected and processed to ensure reliable sealing performance even in the most demanding applications.
A key distinguishing element is vertical integration: Carrara also manufactures graphite braids and packings used for sealing sets and customized stem solutions. This integration enables full control of the supply chain, enhanced quality stability, and the ability to develop tailor-made graphite gaskets and packing configurations according to customer requirements and valve technical specifications. The availability of a wide range of materials and constructions further allows the company to meet different application needs in terms of performance optimization and cost efficiency.
To offer customers maximum flexibility, Carrara’s graphite gasket portfolio is structured into two main product lines, PERFORMER and PREMIUM, designed to cover a wide range of applications and ensure a complete assortment of sealing solutions.
Thanks to a highly developed molding equipment fleet, Carrara operates thousands of dedicated molds and tools, covering an extremely wide dimensional range from 10 mm to 2000 mm. This enables the production of expanded graphite gaskets for valves of all sizes, from small-bore units to large-diameter industrial applications. Production capacity is designed to ensure maximum flexibility, allowing both small batches and prototypes as well as high-volume manufacturing, while maintaining consistent quality and performance standards.
Graphite stem packings are particularly suitable for applications requiring high reliability under continuous operation and repeated thermal cycling. Due to its intrinsic properties, graphite provides excellent high-temperature resistance, low friction coefficient, and chemical stability, making it ideal for isolation, control, and safety valves. However, effective graphite sealing performance depends not only on the material itself, but also on proper geometry, density, surface finish, and compaction process—areas in which Carrara has developed in-house expertise.
Carrara operates with recognized competence in oxygen service applications, where graphite seals must meet extremely stringent cleanliness, compatibility, and safety requirements. Similarly, the company has developed strong expertise in Fugitive Emissions control, which has become increasingly critical in the valve and sealing industry. International standards and end-user requirements demand measurable and repeatable performance, making rigorously designed and manufactured graphite seals indispensable.
The experience gained in stem, body, and seat sealing, combined with production capacity and vertical integration (expanded graphite, braids, and packings), enables Carrara to position itself as a reliable technical partner for valve manufacturers and industrial operators. Whether for new packing system development, standard gasket supply, or customized solutions, Carrara provides technical support, manufacturing responsiveness, and consistent quality, contributing to improved valve performance and emission reduction.
In an increasingly safety-driven, sustainability-oriented, and compliance-focused market, graphite and expanded graphite gaskets represent a strategic choice. Carrara S.p.A. offers expertise, advanced manufacturing facilities, and a comprehensive range of graphite sealing solutions for industrial valves, ensuring sealing integrity, reliability, and high performance even under the most demanding operating conditions.