North America Refractories Market – Industry Trends and Forecast to 2031

North America Refractories Market, By Alkalinity (Acidic and Neutral Refractories and Carbon), Form Type (Shaped, and Unshaped), Product Type (Clay and Non-Clay), Fusion Temperature (Normal Refractory (1580-1780°C), High Refractory (1780-2000°C) and Super Refractory (>2000°C)), Application (Iron and Steel, Cement and Lime, Energy and Chemicals, Glass, Non-Ferrous Metals and Others), Technology (Isostatics and Slide Gates) - Industry Trends and Forecast to 2031.

North America Refractories Market Analysis and Size

The refractories market continues to surge with the latest advancements and technologies, driving robust growth. Innovations in materials science, such as advanced ceramics and nanotechnology, are enhancing refractory performance, durability, and cost-effectiveness. Additionally, increased demand from industries such as steel, cement, and glass fuels market expansion. This dynamic landscape underscores the pivotal role of innovation in shaping the future of refractories.

For instance, according to the World Steel Association, the production of crude steel for 63 countries in February 2023 reached 142.4 million metric tons (Mt), signaling robust demand worldwide. This underscores the critical role of refractories, extensively utilized in steel, cement, glass, and non-ferrous metal industries, reflecting ongoing industrial activity and growth prospects.

The North America refractories market size was valued at USD 8,343,330.78 thousand in 2023, is expected to reach USD 12,047,943.32 thousand by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 4.7% during the forecast period of 2024 to 2031. In addition to the insights on market scenarios such as market value, growth rate, segmentation, geographical coverage, and major players, the market reports curated by the Data Bridge Market Research also include in-depth expert analysis, geographically represented company-wise production and capacity, network layouts of distributors and partners, detailed and updated price trend analysis and deficit analysis of supply chain and demand.

Report Scope and Market Segmentation

Market Definition

Refractories are heat-resistant materials used in high-temperature industrial processes such as steelmaking, cement production, and glass manufacturing. These refractory materials can withstand extreme temperatures and harsh chemical environments, providing thermal insulation and structural support to furnaces, kilns, and other equipment in industrial settings. 

North America Refractories Market Dynamics

Drivers

• Growing Demand from Steel Industry

The escalating global demand for steel, fueled by rapid infrastructure development and industrial expansion, is a pivotal catalyst for the refractories market. These essential materials are indispensable in blast furnaces, converters, and ladles, guaranteeing peak performance and longevity in the rigorous conditions of steel manufacturing. This symbiotic relationship between steel production and refractories sustains the robust growth of the refractories market worldwide.

• Increasing Focus on Energy Efficiency

Refractories are pivotal in energy-intensive sectors by preserving heat and enhancing energy efficiency in furnaces and kilns. This aligns with sustainability objectives, driving market demand as industries prioritize eco-friendly practices. The ability of refractories to optimize thermal management contributes significantly to reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, reinforcing their importance in sustainable industrial processes.

Opportunities

• Expansion of Non-Ferrous Metal Industries

The expansion of non-ferrous metal industries, including aluminum, copper, and zinc production, drives the demand for refractories in smelting and refining operations. Refractories are essential for withstanding high temperatures and chemical reactions in these processes, playing a critical role in maintaining production efficiency and quality standards, thereby fueling market growth in the refractories sector.

• Increasing Demand for Lightweight and Insulating Refractories

The rising demand for lightweight and insulating refractories stems from industries prioritizing energy efficiency and thermal performance. These specialized materials offer advantages such as reduced energy consumption and enhanced thermal efficiency, making them a preferred choice for applications where heat insulation is crucial, thereby driving market growth in response to industry needs.

 Restraints/Challenges

• High Costs of Raw Material

Fluctuations in raw material prices, notably alumina, magnesia, and silica, pose a substantial challenge for refractory manufacturers. These cost variations directly influence production expenses, eroding market competitiveness and profitability, without offering avenues for mitigation or improvement.

• Lack of Skilled Labor leads to Delay in Production

The shortage of skilled labor in refractory installation and maintenance presents a significant challenge for industry players. The specialized nature of these tasks demands trained personnel, and the scarcity of qualified workers hampers operational efficiency, potentially leading to delays, increased costs, and compromised project quality.

This market report provides details of new recent developments, trade regulations, import-export analysis, production analysis, value chain optimization, market share, impact of domestic and localized market players, analyses opportunities in terms of emerging revenue pockets, changes in market regulations, strategic market growth analysis, market size, category market growths, application niches and dominance, product approvals, product launches, geographic expansions, technological innovations in the market. To gain more info on the market contact Data Bridge Market Research for an Analyst Brief, our team will help you take an informed market decision to achieve market growth.

Impact and Current Market Scenario of Raw Material Shortage and Shipping Delays

Data Bridge Market Research offers a high-level analysis of the market and delivers information by keeping in account the impact and current market environment of raw material shortage and shipping delays. This translates into assessing strategic possibilities, creating effective action plans, and assisting businesses in making important decisions. Apart from the standard report, we also offer in-depth analysis of the procurement level from forecasted shipping delays, distributor mapping by region, commodity analysis, production analysis, price mapping trends, sourcing, category performance analysis, supply chain risk management solutions, advanced benchmarking, and other services for procurement and strategic support.

Expected Impact of Economic Slowdown on the Pricing and Availability of Products

When economic activity slows, industries begin to suffer. The forecasted effects of the economic downturn on the pricing and accessibility of the products are taken into account in the market insight reports and intelligence services provided by DBMR. With this, our clients can typically keep one step ahead of their competitors, project their sales and revenue, and estimate their profit and loss expenditures.

Recent Development

• In June 2021, Imerys inaugurated a new manufacturing facility in India, aiming to bolster its presence in the refractory and building and infrastructure markets. Through collaborating with local enterprises and leveraging local expertise, Imerys seeks to expand its market share in India
• In June 2021, Imerys commenced operations at its new refractory plant in Vizhag, India, with an investment of INR 350 crores. The facility is poised to cater to domestic customers, contributing to Imerys Group's refractory supply chain
• In May 2021, ArcelorMittal Refractories, a subsidiary of ArcelorMittal Group, entered a partnership agreement with Krosaki Harima Corporation. This collaboration aims to diversify ArcelorMittal Refractories' product portfolio and increase production capacity using Krosaki Harima's manufacturing technology
• In March 2021, Höganäs Borgestad Group and Refratechnik Group signed a strategic agreement for the supply of refractory products, enhancing their collaboration and strengthening their positions in the refractory market

North America Refractories Market Scope

The market is segmented on the basis of alkalinity, product type, form type, fusion temperature, application and technology. The growth amongst these segments will help you analyse meagre growth segments in the industries and provide the users with a valuable market overview and market insights to help them make strategic decisions for identifying core market applications.

Alkalinity

• Acidic and Neutral Refractories
• Carbon

 Form Type

• Bricks
•  Monolithic
• Others

 Product Type

• Clay
  • High Alumina
  • Fireclay 
  • Insulating
• Non-Clay
  • Magnesite Brick
    • Dead Burned Magnesia
    •  Fused Magnesia
    • Caustic Calcined Magnesia
  • Zirconia Brick
  • Silica Brick
  • Chromite Brick
  • Monolithic 
  • Other
    • Carbides
    • Silicates

 Fusion Temperature

• Normal Refractory (1580-1780°C)
• High Refractory (1780-2000°C)
• Super Refractory (>2000°C)

 Application

• Iron and Steel
• Cement and Lime
• Energy and Chemicals
• Glass
• Non-Ferrous Metals
• Others

 Technology

• Isostatics
• Slide Gates

North America Refractories Market Regional Analysis/Insights

The market is analysed and market size insights and trends are provided by alkalinity, product type, form type, fusion temperature, application and technology as referenced above.

The countries covered in the market report are U.S., Canada and Mexico.

U.S. is expected to dominate the refractories market, driven by the surge in demand from the non-metallic minerals industry and robust infrastructure growth. This dominance reflects the country's pivotal role in fostering innovation and meeting the evolving needs of various sectors.

The country section of the report also provides individual market impacting factors and changes in regulation in the market domestically that impacts the current and future trends of the market. Data points like down-stream and upstream value chain analysis, technical trends and porter's five forces analysis, case studies are some of the pointers used to forecast the market scenario for individual countries. Also, the presence and availability of global brands and their challenges faced due to large or scarce competition from local and domestic brands, impact of domestic tariffs and trade routes are considered while providing forecast analysis of the country data.   

Competitive Landscape and North America Refractories Market Share Analysis

The market competitive landscape provides details by competitor. Details included are company overview, company financials, revenue generated, market potential, investment in research and development, new market initiatives, global presence, production sites and facilities, production capacities, company strengths and weaknesses, product launch, product width and breadth, application dominance. The above data points provided are only related to the companies' focus related to hydrogen energy storage market.

Some of the major players operating in the market are:

• Saint-Gobain (France)
• ALMATIS (Germany)
• Alteo Group (France)
• ALLIED MINERAL PRODUCTS (U.S.)
• Puyang Refractories Group Co.,Ltd. (China)
• HWI (China)
• AluChem (U.S.)
• RHI  Magnesita GmbH (Austria)
• Morgan Advanced Materials (U.K.)
• SHINAGAWA REFRACTORIES CO., LTD. (Japan)
• Krosaki Harima Corporation (Japan)
• CoorsTek Inc. (U.S.)
• Vesuvius (U.K.)
• Refratechnik. (Germany)
• Imerys (U.S.)
• IFGL Refractories Limited. (India)
• TYK CORPORATION (Japan)