PUBLISHER: Grand View Research | PRODUCT CODE: 1376160
PUBLISHER: Grand View Research | PRODUCT CODE: 1376160
The global refractories market is expected to reach USD 68.54 billion by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 3.8% from 2023 to 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc.. The market is expected to be driven by demand for refractories in cement and lime production around the world.
Refractories are used in rotary kilns to protect the steel shell from gas temperature and heat material. This allows the maximum working temperature required for carbon steel. Without refractory products, the kiln shell would be destroyed, affecting in closure of operations. These products also provide protection against abrasion, control the flow of material through the kiln and minimize heat loss.
According to International Energy Agency, global cement production was 4,158 million tons in 2022, with a y-o-y decline of 5% from the previous year. This was mainly due to a fall in China's cement production, which observed a y-o-y decline of 10.5%, impacted by sluggishness in the country's real estate sector and government policies to recover from the pandemic. However, China has a leading share in global cement production and thus is expected to attract significant demand for refractory products.
The demand for iron & steel, glass, and cement in emerging countries such as India and Brazil is likely to remain a contributing factor for the market growth. For instance, India held the second position in global cement production, with a share reaching 9% in 2022 from 8% in 2021. Similarly, India's crude steel production was 125.3 million tons in 2022 from 118.2 million tons in 2021. In 2022, India was the second largest steel producer after China.
Investments for the capacity expansion of steel plants are projected to provide a boost to market growth. For instance, in May 2023, Baosteel, Aramco and PIF signed an agreement to construct a steel plate manufacturing complex in Saudi Arabia. This complex is projected to have a capacity of 1.5 million tons per year with a focus on sustainability and reduction of CO2 emissions. The plant is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by nearly 60% compared to traditional steel plants.