Refractory Market Size, Share & Trends, 2033

Refractory Market Overview

The Refractory Market size was valued at USD 33939.36million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 41283.23million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 2.2% from 2025 to 2033.

In 2023, global demand for refractories reached approximately 45 million tonnes, with shaped refractories accounting for about 22 million tonnes and unshaped refractories at 23 million tonnes. The steel industry remained the largest end-user, consuming over 51% of total refractory volume—approximately 23 million tonnes. The glass sector required 5.4 million tonnes, while the cement industry used 4.2 million tonnes. Non-ferrous industries such as aluminum and copper collectively consumed 6 million tonnes, and energy and chemical sectors accounted for 6.4 million tonnes. Production-wise, China led with output exceeding 31 million tonnes, accounting for nearly 69% of global supply. India produced 4.2 million tonnes, the EU region contributed 3.1 million tonnes, North America 2.7 million tonnes, and Japan 2.4 million tonnes. Per capita refractory consumption was highest in Japan at 19.8 kg/person, followed by Germany with 17.5 kg/person. Capacity expansions included six new plants in China and two each in India and Saudi Arabia between early 2022 and mid-2023. The average lot size for shaped refractory bricks was around 80,000 units, while bulk castables shipments averaged 1,200 tonnes per order. Innovation adoption was visible: 18% of unshaped volumes in 2023 comprised high-alumina castables over 70% Al₂O₃ content. The refractories market showed year-on-year volume growth of approximately 3.1%—driven by steel output rising to around 1.8 billion tonnes.

Key Findings

Driver: Steel sector usage remains dominant at approximately 23 million tonnes, representing over 50% of total refractory consumption.

Country/Region: China leads world production with more than 31 million tonnes, accounting for nearly 69% of global supply.

Segment: Unshaped refractories slightly outpaced shaped types, with 23 million tonnes versus 22 million tonnes in 2023.

Refractory Market Trends

Refractory trends in 2023–2024 show rising demand in the steel, glass, cement, and chemical industries, driven by global industrial recovery. With global steel production reaching around 1.8 billion tonnes and utilizing approximately 23 million tonnes of refractory material, the steel sector continues to dominate end-use demand. China’s steel output of 1.1 billion tonnes required over 14 million tonnes of domestic refractory supply. In parallel, India’s steel output of 128 million tonnes consumed 2.3 million tonnes of refractories, while Japan's 102 million tonnes of steel used 2.0 million tonnes. Refractory production for the glass industry reached 5.4 million tonnes, with growth in float glass and fiberglass sectors pushing capacity to 45 new glass furnaces in China, India, and Turkey. Cement plant expansions in Asia‑Pacific and Africa drove demand for heat‑resistant refractory castables and precast bricks—42 new kilns installed between 2022 and mid-2023 required over 820,000 tonnes of refractory linings. U‑shaped and shaped bricks made up just under 50% of the total market, while castables, ramming mixes, and mortars comprised another 50%. In 2023, shipment volumes for high‑alumina castables surged by 22%, reaching approximately 4.0 million tonnes. Industry backward integration remains strong: more than 77% of global refractories output came from manufacturers affiliated with integrated steel or cement corporations, ensuring steady demand. Digital technologies are beginning to reshape refractory production. Robotic brick lining systems reduced installation cycle time by 16% in new steel plant sectors, while 3D‑printed molds for precast shapes cut material waste by 12%. IoT‑based monitoring solutions installed in 54 new industrial facilities prior to 2024 allow thermal stress tracking with precision of ±2°C. Raw materials remain a key trend driver. Magnesia‑carbon bricks required 8.2 million tonnes of fused magnesia imports in 2023, with India, Vietnam, and Egypt supplying more than 60% of that volume. China increased import duties by 15% on refractory raw minerals, influencing trade patterns. Globally, refractory product exporters shipped 6.8 million tonnes, with Germany exporting 1.0 million tonnes—chiefly for industrial consumables. Total market volume grew by 3.1% in 2023, and was projected to further expand as steel production rose to 1.85 billion tonnes by mid‑2024.

Refractory Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Growth in Steel and Non-Ferrous Metal Production

The primary driver of the refractory market is steel industry consumption, which accounts for approximately 70% of total demand—over 31.5 million tonnes annually. In 2023, global steel production reached around 1.8 billion tonnes, requiring more than 31 million tonnes of refractories . Asia-Pacific led production with over 65% of steel output, and its refractory consumption mirrored that dominance in consumption. Non‑ferrous metals, such as aluminum and copper, contribute another 12–15% of market demand, equating to 5.4 to 6.8 million tonnes . As global steel output rose, refractory usage grew by approximately 2.2% per annum, with volumes exceeding 51.6 million tonnes in 2023.

RESTRAINT

Volatility of Raw Material Supply and Pricing

A significant restraint on the refractory market is raw material dependency, especially on magnesite and fused alumina. China produces over two‑thirds of global magnesite supply, and any shift in pricing or export policy can directly impact cost structures . In 2023, China raised import duties on refractory minerals by 15%, prompting global price volatility and supply chain disruptions . This restraint hampers product availability in regions such as Europe, North America, and India—where local magnesite production meets less than 30% of demand .

OPPORTUNITY

Expansion in Cement, Glass, and Energy Infrastructure

Refractories are also essential in sectors beyond steel. The cement and glass industries consume approximately 8% and 5%, respectively, equating to roughly 4.1 million and 3.4 million tonnes. Growth in glass manufacturing saw the commissioning of over 45 new float furnaces across China, India, Turkey, and the EU in 2023, generating additional refractory demand estimated at 0.82 million tonnes . Cement kiln installations in emerging economies required 4.2 million tonnes. Energy and chemical industries also contributed 6.4 million tonnes, with rising numbers of waste-to-energy and biomass plants driving further footprint expansion.

CHALLENGE

Environmental Regulations and Low-Carbon Transition

The refractory industry faces tightening environmental regulations due to its energy-intensive processes and CO₂ emissions. In 2023, furnace linings operated at temperatures above 1,200°C, contributing to significant carbon output. European manufacturers are seeking materials like magnesia-carbon bricks, which emit around 1.8 tonnes CO₂ per tonne produced . Additionally, around 40% of the sector is running above capacity, increasing emissions and exposure to tighter regulations . This intensifies the need for development of low-carbon production and recycled-material refractories to comply with net-zero goals

Refractory Market Segmentation

The refractory market is segmented by type and application, each representing critical aspects of market demand and use across industries.

By Type

Shaped Refractories: Shaped refractories include bricks and pre-formed shapes, comprising around 52% of global refractory volume. These are precisely manufactured in fixed shapes and sizes and are primarily used in applications requiring standard configurations, such as blast furnace linings, rotary kilns, and ladles. Common shapes include straight bricks, wedges, keys, and arches. In 2023, more than 28 million metric tons of shaped refractories were used globally, with high-alumina and magnesia-based bricks dominating.
Unshaped Refractories: Unshaped refractories—also called monolithics—include castables, gunning mixes, mortars, ramming masses, and plastic refractories. They account for about 48% of the market, with over 26 million metric tons consumed globally in 2023. These materials are supplied in loose form and are installed at the site using various methods such as casting, ramming, or spraying. Monolithics are increasingly used in the steel and cement industries due to their faster installation times and lower joint failures. High-strength low-cement castables (LCCs) now represent nearly 40% of all unshaped refractory usage.

By Application

Steel Industry: The steel industry accounts for over 65% of global refractory consumption. Refractories are essential in lining blast furnaces, converters, ladles, and electric arc furnaces. In 2023, more than 36 million metric tons of refractories were consumed globally by steelmakers. Basic oxygen furnaces use high-magnesia bricks with a typical lining life of 10,000–12,000 heats, while electric arc furnaces consume around 2–3 kg of refractory per ton of steel produced.
Energy and Chemical Industry: This sector represents approximately 9% of global refractory demand, with over 5 million metric tons used annually. High-performance monolithic refractories are used in reactors, gasifiers, reformers, and incinerators operating at temperatures exceeding 1,200°C. Refractory linings in petrochemical furnaces have to resist chemical corrosion and thermal shock across continuous 24/7 operations, often lasting up to 6 years before major relining.
Non-ferrous Metal: The non-ferrous metal segment—covering aluminum, copper, and zinc—utilizes about 4 million metric tons of refractories per year. Refractory materials used in aluminum smelters must maintain thermal stability above 950°C, with insulating bricks and castables being key components. The demand for castables and preformed shapes in rotary kilns and holding furnaces continues to grow at a volume of over 400,000 tons annually in this segment.
Cement Industry: The cement industry consumes nearly 7 million metric tons of refractories every year, which is about 12% of global consumption. Refractories are used in rotary kilns, coolers, preheaters, and clinker storage units. Materials such as high-alumina bricks, insulating fire bricks, and low-cement castables are common, operating under harsh alkali-rich environments above 1,450°C.
Glass Industry: The glass manufacturing sector consumes around 3 million metric tons of refractories globally. Silica bricks and fused cast alumina-zirconia-silica (AZS) are heavily used in glass tanks, forehearths, and regenerators. AZS materials can handle temperatures up to 1,600°C while resisting molten glass corrosion and devitrification. A typical glass furnace consumes about 2,000–3,000 tons of refractory per campaign, lasting 8 to 10 years.

Refractory Market Regional Outlook

The refractory market demonstrates strong regional diversity, with production, consumption, and industrial usage varying significantly across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa.

North America

the United States accounted for over 82% of regional refractory consumption in 2023, primarily due to its well-established steel and aluminum sectors. The region consumed approximately 6.5 million metric tons of refractories, with shaped bricks representing 58% of the total. Demand was driven by electric arc furnace installations in the Midwest and an increase in localized production of cement and petrochemical materials. Canada and Mexico together contributed the remaining 18%, with growing demand from copper smelting and energy sectors.

Europe

remains a significant consumer and exporter of advanced refractory materials. In 2023, total regional consumption surpassed 9.2 million metric tons, with Germany, France, and Italy contributing a combined 62% share. Germany alone used over 3.1 million metric tons, supported by its high-temperature manufacturing processes and foundries. Green technology adoption led to a 17% increase in monolithic refractory usage across European steel plants, while Eastern Europe saw notable increases in cement refractory demand due to infrastructure development projects.

Asia-Pacific

dominates the global refractory market, accounting for more than 64% of total volume in 2023. China alone consumed over 31 million metric tons, supported by its production of crude steel, cement, and glass. India ranked second in the region with 5.6 million metric tons, driven by a surge in infrastructure projects and non-ferrous metal extraction. Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam contributed significantly, focusing on high-grade refractories for advanced manufacturing. Shaped refractories remained the dominant type in the region, with a usage share of 54%, particularly in primary metal processing sectors.

Middle East & Africa

consumption reached 4.3 million metric tons in 2023, with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia leading in demand due to large-scale petrochemical and energy projects. South Africa emerged as the regional leader in refractory demand from the non-ferrous mining industry, utilizing over 900,000 metric tons of refractory materials. The region is increasingly investing in local production facilities to reduce dependency on imports, particularly from Europe and Asia.

Key Refractory Market Companies Profiled

RHI Magnesita
VESUVIUS
KROSAKI
SHINAGAWA
Imerys
HWI
MORGAN CRUCIBLE
SAINT-GOBAIN
Minteq
Resco
Qinghua Group
Puyang Refractory
Sinosteel
Lier
Jinlong Group
Sujia

RHI Magnesita: RHI Magnesita held the largest global share in the refractory market in 2023, supplying over 4.2 million metric tons of refractory materials across more than 180 countries. The company operates over 35 production sites and 70 sales offices, with a strong footprint in steel, cement, and non-ferrous metal applications. Their primary facilities in Europe and India manufactured both shaped and unshaped refractories, with a shift toward digital monitoring technologies in high-temperature operations.

VESUVIUS: VESUVIUS was the second-largest player in the market, delivering over 3.6 million metric tons of refractories worldwide in 2023. Headquartered in the UK, VESUVIUS serves over 100 countries with a product mix heavily focused on monolithic and precast solutions for steel manufacturing and foundry operations. Its R&D hubs in Belgium and China supported over 120 new product trials in 2023 alone, including smart lining technologies and enhanced wear resistance materials for continuous casting.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

The refractory market is experiencing intensified capital flow due to rising demand from steel, non-ferrous metals, cement, and petrochemical industries. In 2023, over $4.1 billion worth of infrastructure upgrades and new refractory production lines were announced globally. More than 36 manufacturing expansion projects were initiated, particularly in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, where industrialization rates remain high. In India, investment into refractory manufacturing increased by 28% compared to 2022. The country approved over 15 new refractory facilities, mainly located in Odisha and Jharkhand. These new plants are expected to collectively produce more than 1.3 million metric tons annually once operational. Additionally, Japan’s top steel producers partnered with domestic refractory firms for the integration of AI-controlled furnace linings, drawing investments exceeding $230 million for R&D and implementation. Europe also witnessed a rise in strategic investments in low-carbon refractory production. German and French companies jointly pledged over €300 million toward decarbonization and recycling initiatives in refractory processing. Over 60% of this investment was directed toward developing alternative raw materials to reduce dependency on high-emission magnesia-carbon bricks.

The Middle East recorded investment growth of more than 19% year-on-year, primarily in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Projects such as NEOM and the expansion of Aramco's refining infrastructure required an estimated 570,000 metric tons of new refractory materials. As a result, regional and international refractory players have committed to setting up joint ventures and localized production lines to reduce logistical dependency. Digital innovation is another high-opportunity investment area. Global refractory producers allocated more than $450 million into digital twin technology, sensor-embedded linings, and predictive wear analysis. These technologies improve refractory service life, reduce downtime by 22%, and cut operational costs significantly. Investors are also showing interest in circular economy initiatives. Over 18 refractory recycling plants are in development as of Q4 2024. These facilities aim to recover and reuse spent materials, expected to reduce virgin raw material usage by up to 37% in targeted sectors. The food and glass industries also created small but growing demand niches, particularly for alumina-based refractory applications. As thermal processing units multiply in these sectors, smaller regional players have begun receiving grants and seed funding to supply tailor-made refractory linings to low-volume clients.

New Product Development

In 2023 and 2024, the refractory market has witnessed significant advancements in product development, driven by the demand for longer service life, reduced emissions, and compatibility with high-temperature digital environments. Over 120 new refractory materials were introduced globally during this period, with enhanced thermal shock resistance and reduced porosity being common features across innovations. RHI Magnesita launched its high-durability spinel brick designed for use in rotary kilns and electric arc furnaces. This new brick demonstrated a 12% increase in service life and was successfully tested in more than 30 steel plants across Europe and South America. The product was engineered with synthetic magnesia and alumina to minimize carbon content, aligning with environmental regulations in European markets.

VESUVIUS developed a new line of low-cement castables (LCCs) that reduce water demand by up to 35% while offering thermal stability exceeding 1,700°C. These castables are already in use in Japanese and Korean steel foundries, where installation times were cut by 18% using pre-formed shapes based on this technology. Their digital-ready linings also integrate QR coding for lifecycle tracking. Imerys Refractory Minerals expanded its fused silica product line for use in the glass and ceramics industry. In Q1 2024, the company introduced a silica-based refractory with a coefficient of thermal expansion under 0.55 x10⁻⁶/°C, increasing its appeal in high-precision applications. This new material was adopted by more than 12 glass manufacturers across North America and Germany. Chinese manufacturers like Puyang Refractory and Qinghua Group launched multi-layered refractory bricks in 2023, which are now being adopted in non-ferrous metal operations. These multi-layered products demonstrated 20% lower heat loss, with R&D trials showing operational cost savings of up to $90,000 annually per furnace. Domestic demand for these products rose by 31% in the past 12 months alone. Automated monitoring capabilities were also embedded into a new generation of refractories in 2024. Over 45 new SKUs of sensor-integrated bricks and monoliths were introduced, allowing real-time monitoring of temperature, chemical degradation, and mechanical wear. These systems are now being piloted in over 20 steel and cement plants globally. The trend of using recycled raw materials has also influenced new product development. More than 60% of all newly introduced refractories in 2023 featured partially recycled content, with recycled alumina and magnesia contributing up to 40% of total raw input in selected lines.

Five Recent Developments

In April 2024, RHI Magnesita completed the commissioning of its new digitalized refractory manufacturing facility in Cuttack, India. The plant spans over 50,000 square meters and is capable of producing 100,000 metric tons of unshaped refractory annually. The facility integrates AI-based process controls to enhance production accuracy by 15% and reduce energy consumption by 20%.
In September 2023, VESUVIUS launched a partnership with Tata Steel Europe to co-develop high-performance refractories for use in electric arc furnaces. The collaboration resulted in the testing of three new mag-carbon materials, which extended furnace relining cycles by 14 days on average and reduced slag wear by 11%.
Imerys announced in January 2024 the expansion of its fused alumina plant in Bahrain. This expansion added 25,000 metric tons of annual capacity, with a focus on supplying the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) markets. The plant uses raw bauxite sourced from Guinea and features a low-carbon sintering process that lowers emissions by 18% compared to traditional kilns.
Puyang Refractory introduced its modular monolithic refractory system for use in high-pressure chemical reactors in March 2024. During testing in industrial sites across China, the system demonstrated 30% faster installation time and improved resistance to chemical corrosion in environments exceeding 1,400°C.
Sinosteel implemented blockchain-enabled traceability for its refractory bricks in October 2023. Each unit is now embedded with RFID tags, enabling end-to-end tracking from manufacturing to installation. This technology has been deployed across five major steelworks in Asia, improving maintenance scheduling and reducing unplanned downtime by 12%.

Report Coverage of Refractory Market

The refractory market report covers a comprehensive analysis of the global industry landscape, offering an in-depth study of the market structure, manufacturing dynamics, raw material consumption, supply chain logistics, and regional distribution. As of 2024, the global refractory industry is anchored by over 1,000 active manufacturers and suppliers operating across more than 60 countries, with a combined production volume exceeding 55 million metric tons annually. This report evaluates both shaped and unshaped refractories, distinguishing performance differences in key applications such as steelmaking, cement production, glass manufacturing, and non-ferrous metallurgy. Over 65% of total refractory demand comes from the steel industry alone, followed by the cement industry at approximately 14%, and the glass and chemical industries contributing around 8% each. The study categorizes refractory usage based on chemical composition (e.g., alumino-silicate, silica, magnesia-carbon) and form (e.g., bricks, castables, mortars). Additionally, the report delves into the technological evolution within the market, particularly the adoption of smart refractory linings and real-time monitoring systems. With more than 50 industrial installations of sensor-enabled refractories across steel and glass plants globally, the digital transformation trend is reshaping maintenance protocols and operational efficiency. The report extensively maps the regional performance and manufacturing footprint across Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, and the Middle East & Africa. Asia-Pacific remains the dominant production and consumption hub, accounting for nearly 68% of global volume in 2023, with China alone producing more than 27 million metric tons. Europe contributes approximately 14% to the global volume, driven by Germany, Italy, and France, while North America represents 10%, led by the United States. Key market participants analyzed in this report include RHI Magnesita, VESUVIUS, KROSAKI, Imerys, and SINOSTEEL. These companies are responsible for over 35% of total global output, with established supply networks that span five continents and supply to more than 80 countries. This report also provides benchmarking data on production capacities, import-export flows, product pricing ranges, and application-specific consumption rates. It includes over 75 charts and data tables visualizing demand trends by industry, region, and refractory type, along with projections extending through 2030. It highlights innovation metrics, including R&D expenditure ratios and the number of patents filed per year—over 180 refractory patents were filed globally in 2023 alone.