Key Highlights

• Refractory products are technologically advanced ceramic products that can withstand high temperatures, heavy mechanical and thermal wear, and chemical corrosion. They play an important but neglected role in the daily operation of almost every industry by providing thermal insulation, durability and corrosion resistance. These products are important for creating key manufacturing processes for many industries such as steel, cement, glass, other metals, petrochemicals, pulp and paper. These products are thought to be used in some industries, such as steel and other metals that are replaced from time to time to maintain performance. The glass and cement sector, on the other hand, evaluates its investments because they can operate for up to 10 years. According to statistics from the World Refractories Association, the cost of refractory materials accounts for less than 3%, often even less than 1%, of the cost of finished products. However, optimization and design of refractory materials can reduce operating costs by up to 20% for the end-use industry. In addition, production processes are non-toxic and more than 90% of refractory materials are used or recycled; this makes them important for many end-use industries.

• The market size of the Worldwide Refractories Industry surpassed USD XX billion in 2023, and by 2032, it is projected to reach USD XX billion, boosting at a CAGR of XX%.

• June 2023 - INTOCAST AG announced the acquisition of EXUS Refractories S.p.A., an Italian company, with the aim of developing its production facilities with modern operations. This acquisition will help the company strengthen its refractory product portfolio.

• Refractories materials have been used for a long time, a major change in the market is the production of refractory materials from a variety of materials. For example, magnesia-chromium refractories are produced by combining magnesia materials with chromium oxide. This product has high refractoriness and excellent chemical resistance. Additionally, the steel and cement industry has a high demand for non-standard products such as monolithic products made from composites, additives and binders. It provides heat and cold insulation of the oven by creating a layer under the mold and mold. Such amorphous products are increasingly developed according to the requirements of the end-user industry. For example, 6K Additive announced the commercialization of a new process for refractory metal powder, a special material with heat and wear resistance that has proven to be suitable for the production of high-stress products.

Scope of the Industry Profile

Key Players

• RHI Magnesita (Austria)

• Almatis Gmbh (Germany)

• Imerys (France)

• Saint-Gobain (France)

• Intocast Group (Germany)

• Refratechnik (Germany)

• Alteo Alumina (France)

• Morgan Advanced Materials (UK)

• Coorstek (US)

• Calderys (France)

Segmentation

By Product Type

• Non-Clay Refractory

• Clay Refractory

By Non-Clay Refractory

• Magnesite Brick

• Zirconia Brick

• Silica Brick

• Chromite Brick

• Other Product Types

By Clay Refractory

• High Alumina

• Fireclay

• Insulating

By Industry

• Iron & Steel

• Chemicals

• Non-Ferrous Metals

• Cement

• Ceramic

• Glass

• Other End-User Industries

What to Expect from Industry Profile

1. Save time carrying out entry-level research by identifying the size, growth, major segments, and leading players in the Refractories market in the world.

2. Use the PORTER’s Five Forces analysis to determine the competitive intensity and therefore market attractiveness of the Global Refractories market.

3. Leading company profiles reveal details of key Refractories market players’ global operations, strategies, financial performance & their recent developments.

4. Add weight to presentations and pitches by understanding the future growth prospects of the Global Refractories market with forecast for decade by both market share (%) & revenue (USD Million).

Recent Development

• April 2023 - RHI Magnesita announced the acquisition of seven refractories businesses in the United States, India and Europe, which are specialist distributors of non-alkaline monoform refractories and have record revenues of 1.1 billion in 2022 and ahead. generated revenues of US$12 million with its business portfolio focusing on various end uses in the international market. The acquisition is intended to bring new products and technological advances that will lead to changes in consumer behavior.

• October 2022 - Intocast acquired Pyrol, a Mexican manufacturer and trader of electronic products and foundry materials. This acquisition will help Intocast expand its business in the US.

Segment Insights

End-User Industry 

The demand for refractories in the steel industry is driven by various factors. First, the steelmaking process involves high temperatures, often exceeding 1500 °C (2732 °F) in processes such as blast furnaces, converters, and electric arc furnaces. Refractory materials have excellent electrical properties and insulating properties and are essential for critical equipment to withstand high temperatures, extending the life and performance of the process. The ongoing development of global infrastructure and construction projects is increasing the demand for steel products such as steel pipes, tubes and plates. This increases the demand for refractory materials to ensure the continuous operation of steel production facilities. In addition, advances in technology have led to the development of high-quality materials that can withstand the harsh conditions in modern industrial steelmaking furnaces, as well as durability and efficiency. Additionally, increasing business focus on energy efficiency and environmental management has encouraged the use of advanced refractory materials that help reduce energy consumption, electricity and emissions, making them an important part of durable steel production. Part of it. Finally, increasing steel production capacity, especially in emerging markets, has increased the demand for refractory materials due to the new demand for lining materials to be purchased before work begins. In summary, the need for temperature, infrastructure, technological development, environmental concerns and the expansion of world steel production capacity increase the demand for refractory materials in the steel industry.

By Product Type

The demand for non-clay refractories is mainly due to their superior performance and suitability for high temperature applications. First, non-clay refractories, which include materials such as silica, alumina, magnesium oxide and zirconia, have excellent resistance to high temperatures, making them important in industries such as steelmaking, cement production and petrochemical processing. The ability of this material to withstand high temperatures, chemical corrosion and mechanical stress is an important factor for electrical equipment, furnaces and reactors in industry. As technology and business processes develop, the demand for refractory materials that can work in harsh and special conditions is increasing. Non-clay refractories can be designed to meet the specific requirements of different applications, including high-energy materials for explosives or zirconia-based materials for aerospace and electronics manufacturing. In addition, the focus on energy efficiency and safety in industrial processes has led to the use of clay-free refractory materials as they help reduce energy consumption and emissions based on environmentally friendly practices. Additionally, the expansion of industries such as renewable energy, aerospace and electronics manufacturing has increased the demand for non-clay refractories as they play an important role in supporting very high standards of coating and are specialized in these industries. In summary, the demand for non-clay refractories stems from their superior thermal and chemical resistance, their adaptability to changing industrial needs, and their contribution to sustainability and the development of industries. Get high performance refractory solutions.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific is expected to account for the largest share of energy consumption in the global market due to its strong presence in various end-use industries. According to statistics from the World Steel Association, steel production in the Asia-Pacific region accounts for more than 70% of global steel production, and China alone accounts for nearly 50% of worldwide steel production. This is the most important thing in Asia-Pacific's international trade. Additionally, the region's cultural standing is further supported by the region's importance in the cement and non-ferrous metal industries. The North American market will see growth due to demand from the end-user industry in the region, especially steel, as well as the metal and glass industry. The European market is poised for long-term growth and automakers in the region are expected to be buoyed by rising demand for steel and glass. Europe accounts for approximately 15% of global steel production; Therefore, the growth of the European market will reflect the growth of the region's steel industry.