A reinforced mat (10) for a pollution control device has a first major surface (12), a second major surface (14) and a thickness, and the mat comprises ceramic fibers and a reinforcing mesh (22) disposed between the first major surface and the second major surface such that the mat is generally separated into two layers (16,18) by the mesh. The mesh comprises non-metallic fibers that are spaced-apart so as to define a space therebetween that is large enough that the layers of the mat are integrally joined together through the mesh. The mat has a total organic component weight that is up to about 5% of the total weight of the mat, and the mat is dimensioned for use, either as a mounting mat for mounting a pollution control element or as an insulator for insulating a region within a pollution control device in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine.