Refractories Market Research Report Information By Alkalinity (Acidic &Neutral, Basic) Form (Shaped, Unshaped) Application (Iron & Steel, Cement, Non-Ferrous metals, Glass, Others) Forecast 2030

Refractories Market Overview

The global refractories market is projected to witness healthy growth during the forecast period, 2022–2030. The market was valued at USD 37,020.24 million in 2021 and is projected to register a CAGR of 5.11% to reach USD 57,387.40 million by the end of 2030. In terms of volume, the market was sized at 44,569.24 kilotons in 2021 and is likely to exhibit a CAGR of 3.92% to reach 61,703.35 kilotons by the end of 2030.

The key driver for the global refractories market growth is the high demand for refractories in cement production. The rising infrastructural development in developed and developing countries across the globe has increased the number of construction activities, which is projected to drive the demand for cement, and thereby the growth of the global refractories market. The extensive use of refractories during the production of non-ferrous metals such as aluminum, titanium, zinc, lead, and nickel is another factor positively influencing the market growth. These metals are specifically used for structural applications in end-use industries such as automotive, aerospace, medical, construction, and electronics, which require reduced weight, higher strength, nonmagnetic properties, higher melting points, and resistance to chemical and atmospheric corrosion.

COVID-19 Impact on the Refractories Market:

The outbreak has significantly impacted the chemicals & materials supply chains, international trade, and manufacturing operations across the world. Refractory production declined amidst the COVID-19 pandemic as market players had to shut production facilities or operate the facilities below the optimal production capacities to avoid the spread of the novel coronavirus. Additionally, the lack of availability of raw materials due to supply disruptions due to border and trade restrictions has impacted refractory production. However, some large market players have continued operations at their production facilities. Furthermore, the declining prices of raw materials and low demand from the end-use industries have resulted in surplus stocks and, thus, reduced production. The primary raw material used to manufacture refractory is silicon, aluminum, magnesium, calcium and zirconium. The outbreak caused a huge impact on the supply of raw materials. The trade between China and the US was also negatively affected, drastically influencing the refractories market. The chemical industry was badly hit by the global COVID crisis, which affected the price margins of raw materials as well as end products. Thus, the outbreak has resulted in the disruption of the supply-demand of raw materials, which affected the production of chemicals to a huge extent. 

Since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been massive pressure on the supply chain. Ports across several countries suffer from intense congestion, causing cargo ships to encounter substantial delays in unloading cargo and, finally, supplying products within a certain period. Extensive areas of China have ground to a halt due to quarantine protocols, which have forced worker shortages, market shutdowns, and even raw material shortages. The logistics of managing the bottlenecks of regional border checkpoints has also become an aspect concerning the global supply of refractory. From the point of view of petrochemicals, a reduction in demand due to closures or reduced productivity of factories using petrochemical feedstocks downstream. Therefore, the refractories market is allegedly hit by COVID-19-related logistical concerns, including reduced supply and demand.

Market Dynamics

• Increasing Use of Refractories industry During Cement Production: Refractories are extensively used during the production of clinker, used in the production of cement. The production of cement is increasing with the rising infrastructural development in developed and emerging economies. The increasing number of construction and infrastructure activities, especially in India, due to rapid urbanization and industrialization is projected to boost the demand for cement, which consequently is expected to propel the demand for refractories. The cement industry is one of the world's most sustainable and energy-efficient economic contributors.

• Adverse effects associated with exposure to haps: The NESHAP (national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants) for refractory product manufacturing applies to any facility that manufactures refractory products and is a major source of HAP emissions. The NESHAP for refractory products manufacturing applies to three general types of refractory products manufacturing sources: organic HAP thermal process sources, clay refractory products kilns, and chromium refractory products kilns. The types of thermal process sources regulated by the Refractory Products Manufacturing NESHAP vary depending on the process, the source type, and other operating conditions.

• Recycling of refractories: Recycling of refractories is an excellent method for environment protection. Various types of refractories are used for the furnace linings in the ironmaking and steel making processes at steelworks for the smelting, refining, and conveying operations. Refractory linings are broken down and thrown away when the extent of the damage reaches a point where stable operation of the furnace can no longer be guaranteed. As a result, there is increasing pressure to lower the amount of waste refractories in the sector. Thus, encouraging effective use of waste refractories has become more crucial.

• Scarcity of raw materials: The raw materials of refractories include magnesia, graphite, silicon, aluminum, calcium, zirconium, and bauxite. The production of these raw materials is extremely difficult and involves mining activities or their synthetic production. The challenge in synthetic production is the use of petrochemicals and their derivatives, where high price and lack of availability may create an imbalance. Furthermore, the dependency of the players in the market on raw materials imports coming mainly from China is another factor expected to hamper the growth of the global refractories market to some extent.

Segmentation

By Alkalinity

• Acidic &Neutral


• Basic

By Form

• Shaped


• Unshaped

By Application

• Iron & Steel


• Cement


• Non-Ferrous metals


• Glass


• Others

By Region

• North America


• Europe


• Asia-Pacific


• Latin America


• Middle East & Africa

Regional Analysis

Geographically, the global refractories market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. In North America region market is driven by Increasing prevalence for non-metallic minerals industry, growing infrastructure in emerging countries and demand of refractories from iron & steel industry are the factors which will boost the refractories market. Also some companies are expanding their production capacities in different regions to grow their market for these products.

The steel industry is a backbone of the European economy and a key supplier to Europe’s automotive, machinery, and other flagship industries. Steel industry in Europe can be a prominent industry to drive the market in Europe.

Asia pacific is expected to hold largest share in the global market due to various end use industries strong presence in the region. According to world steel Association, Asia pacific accounts more than 70% of global steel production, with China alone accounting for about 50% of the global steel production.

The Latin America Refractory material market spread over the countrie Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Argentina and the rest of Latin America. Whereas, Mexico and Brazil are leading contributors to the revenue of the refractory materials market in the Latin America region. Moreover, countries such as Brazil, Argentina and the rest of Latin America are likely to witness substantial growth in the market demand during the coming years. Additionally, growing urbanization and industrialization in countries such as Brazil, Argentina and many more countries have led to made significant investment in construction projects such as roadways, railways, residential & commercial buildings.

Middle East Refractories Market is driving by increase in the infrastructure and development in the major countries. Growth rate of infrastructure in UAE and Saudi Arabia played a major driving force for refractories market. As the market is highly competitive such restrictions restraint the growth of the market. Outbreak of Covid-19 has resulted in imposition of nation-wide lockdown to contain spread of virus. Furthermore, resumption of production activity and halted infrastructure projects will result in rapid increase for demand for refractories.

Competitive Landscape

The Refractory Market competitive landscape provides details and data information by players. The report offers a comprehensive analysis and accurate statistics on revenue by the player for the period 2016-2021. It also offers detailed analysis supported by reliable statistics on revenue (global and regional level) by players for the period 2016-2021. Details included are company description, major business, company total revenue and the sales, revenue generated in Refractory business, the date to enter into the Refractory market, Refractory product introduction, recent developments, etc.

RHI Magnesita GmbH (Austria), Saint-Gobain (France), Vesuvius (England), Morgan Advanced Materials (UK), Shinagawa Refractories Co., Ltd. (Japan), CoorsTek Inc. (US), Krosaki Harima Corporation (Japan), HarbisonWalker International (US), Calderys (France), and Chosun Refractories Eng. Co. Ltd. (South Korea) are the prominent players operating in the global refractories market. The global refractories market is highly fragmented, and the prominent players are expanding their presence to other developing economies such as India, China, and other countries.

Report Overview:

The refractories market is segmented by type, application and region in the report. In terms of insights, this report has focused on various levels of analysis such as market dynamics, value chain analysis, Porter's five forces, competitive landscape, and company profiles—all of which comprise and discuss views on the global refractories emerging and fast-growing segments, regions, and countries.

Objectives of the Study

• To get a comprehensive overview of the global refractories market


• To get wide-ranging information about the key factors driving the market and market opportunities


• To gain information regarding the key players in the industry, their product portfolio, strategies, and key developments


• To gain insights about the key country/region in which the market is growing

Intended Audience

• Industrial sector


• Automotive Industry


• Pakaging sector