The Belgian Ceramic Research Centre has its origin in a nonprofit organisation founded in 1938.

Today it combines the activities of two institutions:

• INISMa (INstitut Interuniversitaire des Silicates, Sols et Matériaux) is a non-profit-making organisation which was founded in 1973 at the initiative of the Faculté Polytechnique de Mons, the Mons-Hainaut University, the Intermunicipal association IDEA, and a group of ceramics manufacturers (INS). INISMa is involved in materials development and applications, soil survey and classification, and environmental challenges.

• The CRIBC (Centre de Recherches de l’Industrie Belge de la Céramique) is a collective research organisation which was created by Decree Law in 1948, under the de Groote Law. The CRIBC supports the ceramics industry by carrying out applied research, providing technological guidance and monitoring, and by organising scientific and technical information for the benefit of its members.