US Refractories Market Share

US Refractories Market Overview

The US refractories market size was valued at USD 3.2 Billion in 2022. The refractories industry is projected to grow from USD 3.3 Billion in 2023 to USD 4.24 Billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.20% during the projected period (2023 - 2032). The increasing development in the mining of steel, large-scale projects in the cement sector, and ongoing technological advancements in refractory materials are the prominent market drivers anticipated to propel the US refractories market.Source: Primary Research, MRFR Database, Secondary Research, and Analyst Review

Refractories Market Trends

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  The rising demand for iron, steel, and glass by the automotive industry is driving the market growth.

  
  

The US refractories market CAGR is expanding due to the resurgence of the automotive business, particularly with the flood of EVs, which has given traction to vehicle fabricating materials, including steel, iron, and glass. Refractories are essential for creating these eventual outcomes; their take-up from the steel and glass industry has driven to satisfy the auto industry's need. These factors are responsible for the development of the car business and are anticipated to drive the product market development. High infrastructure spending, rapid industrialization, and the government objective for in-house raw materials production are driving the US refractories market share during the forecast period.

Furthermore, there has been a strategic shift towards catering to consumer demands for customized solutions. As industries seek optimal performance in extreme conditions, the customization of refractories becomes crucial. Manufacturers are adapting to this trend by developing tailored refractory materials that align with specific industrial processes, enhancing efficiency and longevity. The rising demand for specialized refractories in steel, cement, and glass manufacturing underscores the industry's evolution. This customer-centric approach not only addresses unique thermal challenges but also fosters innovation. The refractories market's trajectory reflects a dynamic landscape, where responsiveness to diverse consumer needs propels sustained growth and positions the industry at the forefront of supporting critical applications in high-temperature environments to boost refractories market revenue.

Refractories Market Segment Insights

Refractories Form Insights

The US refractories market segmentation, based on form, includes bricks & shaped and monolithic & unshaped. The bricks & shaped segment dominated the market mostly due to the rise in requirements for such outcomes from the metal and non-metal industries. Bricks are needed to form the insulation layer inside the ovens and kilns and are substituted periodically to satisfy the insulation ratings set by the consumer. However, monolithic & unshaped is the fastest-growing category owing to the higher need to form linings inner the reactors, wherein the location of shaped refractories is determinate owing to space restrictions.

Refractories Product Insights

The US refractories market segmentation, based on product, includes clay and non-clay. Clay held a major market share due to rising demand in industries like steel, cement, and glass manufacturing, where high-temperature resistance is crucial, propels the market. Clay's abundance, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability further contribute to its pivotal role in driving the refractories market forward. However, non-clay is the fastest-growing category due to the high-performance materials in extreme temperature environments. Industries such as steel, cement, and glass rely on these refractories for their superior thermal resistance.

Refractories End-User Insights

The US refractories market segmentation, based on end-users, includes iron & steel, non-ferrous metals, glass, cement, and others. Iron & steel held a major market share owing to expansive applications in almost all reactors, furnaces, and vessels utilized during steel manufacturing. Moreover, the refractory lining is returned periodically, every 30 minutes to two days, in different steps of the steel manufacturing procedure, thus resulting in serious consumption from the iron and steel industry. However, glass is the fastest-growing category due to the growing demand for high-performance materials that withstand extreme temperatures in glass manufacturing processes. Refractories, with properties like heat resistance and durability, are crucial for lining furnaces and kilns. As the glass sector experiences growth, driven by the construction and packaging industries, the need for efficient refractory solutions rises.

Refractories Alkalinity Insights

The US refractories market segmentation, based on alkalinity, includes acidic & neutral, and basic. The basic held a major market share as basic alkaline refractories exhibit high resistance to extreme temperatures, making them crucial in industries like steel manufacturing. With an increasing demand for durable and heat-resistant materials, the utilization of basic alkaline refractories is on the rise, propelling the overall refractories market forward as industries seek reliable solutions for their high-temperature applications. However, acidic & neutral is the fastest-growing category due to the increasing need for high-performance materials that withstand extreme conditions, such as increased temperatures and corrosive environments, which propels the growth of acidic and neutral refractories in various industrial applications.

Figure 1: US Refractories Market, by Alkalinity, 2022 & 2032 (USD Billion)Source: Primary Research, Secondary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Refractories Country Insights

The refractories market in the US is propelled due to booming construction industry, there is an increased need for refractory materials in high-temperature applications like furnaces and kilns. The expanding steel and metal industry, coupled with advancements in manufacturing processes, further amplifies the demand for durable refractories. Stringent regulations on emission management and energy efficiency drive the adoption of advanced refractory materials, supporting sustainable practices. Additionally, the growing emphasis on infrastructure development and renovation projects enhances the market as refractories become indispensable in maintaining thermal stability and prolonging equipment lifespan across various sectors in the United States.

Refractories Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Leading market participants are investing heavily in research and development to enhance their product lines, which will help the refractories market expand even more. Market participants are also undertaking different strategic activities to extend their footprint, with significant market developments including new product establishment, mergers and acquisitions, contractual agreements, and collaboration with other organizations. The refractories industry must deliver cost-effective items to extend and stay in a more competitive and growing market climate.

Major players in the Refractories market are attempting to expand market demand by investing in research and development operations, including HarbisonWalker International, Alsey Refractories Co., Plibrico Company, LLC, Seneca Ceramics, Metsch Refractories Inc., Ultramet, Industrial Refractory Services, and McNeil USA.

Key Companies in the Refractories market include

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  HarbisonWalker International

  
  


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  Alsey Refractories Co.

  
  


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  Plibrico Company, LLC

  
  


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  Seneca Ceramics

  
  


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  Metsch Refractories Inc.

  
  


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  Ultramet

  
  


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  Industrial Refractory Services

  
  


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  McNeil USA

  
  

Refractories Industry Developments

September 2021: Plibrico Company, LLC announced that it completed its acquisition of a stake in Redline Industries, Inc., a pioneer in developing new products to protect furnaces used in high-temperature processing and increase energy efficiency. This acquisition will help the client with the best product offering and permit Plibrico to extend its product portfolio in the competitive market.

March 2024: The acquisition furthered RHI Magnesita's strategic growth in alumina-based refractories, enhancing the product range for customers in the United States. RHI Magnesita plans to purchase Resco Group, a US company that produces alumina monolithics and a variety of basic and non-basic refractories, for a total value of up to $430 million. Resco is a manufacturer of both shaped and unshaped refractories, which are used in many industries such as petrochemical, cement, aluminum, and steel production. Resco has a total of seven manufacturing facilities and two locations for sourcing raw materials in the United States. Additionally, Resco has two manufacturing operations in both the United Kingdom and Canada. Resco's Rescobond and Rescocast trademarks are extensively utilized by international customers in the refining and petrochemical industries. Resco is presently under the control of Balmoral Funds, a California-based private equity Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) with $1.5 billion in assets under management. Balmoral Funds specializes in investing in industrial, business services, aerospace, and logistics companies that have intricate operations and/or ownership structures, such as corporate divestitures. Resco's unaudited revenues for the year ending on December 31, 2023, amounted to $252 million. The company's profit before tax for the same period was $20 million, and its gross assets as of December 31, 2023, were $191 million. Roughly half of RHI Magnesita's sales in the US are imported from other countries. The Acquisition will enhance RHI Magnesita's domestic output in the US and Canada by relocating substantial production volumes from non-US plants to the Resco production facilities in the US. In response to customer input, we are implementing measures to enhance supply chain security, decrease production lead times, and stabilize working capital. This acquisition furthers the Group's strategic expansion in alumina-based refractories, enhancing the product options available to clients in the United States.

Refractories Market Segmentation

Refractories Product Outlook

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  Clay

  
  


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  Non-Clay

  
  

Refractories End-User Outlook

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  Iron & Steel

  
  


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  Non-Ferrous Metals

  
  


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  Glass

  
  


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  Cement

  
  


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  Others

  
  

Refractories Form Outlook

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  Bricks & Shaped

  
  


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  Monolithic & Unshaped

  
  

Refractories Alkalinity Outlook

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  Acidic & Neutral

  
  


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  Basic