Market Forecast by Regions and Countries (North America, Europe, LATAM, Middle East, Asia and Africa), By Form Types (Shaped Refractories, Unshaped Refractories), By Product Types (Non-clay Refractory, Clay Refractory), By End-users (Iron & Steel, Cement, Non-Ferrous Metals, Glass, Others) And Competitive Landscape
| Product Code: ETC13196413 | Publication Date: Apr 2025 | Updated Date: Jul 2025 | Product Type: Market Research Report | |
| Publisher: 6Wresearch | Author: Dhaval Chaurasia | No. of Pages: 190 | No. of Figures: 80 | No. of Tables: 40 |
According to 6Wresearch internal database and industry insights, the Global Refractories Market was valued at USD 33 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 42 Billion by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 4.30% during the forecast period (2025-2031).
According to 6Wresearch internal database and industry insights, the Global Refractories Market was accounted at USD 28.6 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach nearly USD 39.75 billion by 2031, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.65% during the forecast period (2025–2031).
| Report Name | Global Refractories Market |
| Forecast Period | 2025-2031 |
| Market Size | USD 39.75 billion by 2031 |
| CAGR | 4.65% |
| Growing Sector | Metallurgical and Industrial MaterialsReport Name: |
Global Refractories Market report thoroughly covers the market by form types, product types, end-users, and regions. The market report provides an unbiased and detailed analysis of ongoing market trends, opportunities/high growth areas, and market drivers, which would help stakeholders devise and align their market strategies according to the current and future market dynamics.
Global Refractories Market is projected to witness momentum growth in the years ahead due to the progressing demand in the iron & steel, cement, and non-ferrous metal industries. The growth in building infrastructure, energy-efficient steel manufacture, and clean industrial processes is driving demand for high-performance refractory materials. In addition, government-led industrial corridors, green steel initiatives, and the revival of heavy manufacturing sectors across Asia, Europe, and North America are positively influencing market growth.
Below are some prominent drivers and their influence on market dynamics:
| Drivers | Primary Segments Affected | Why It Matters (Evidence) |
| Steel Industry Expansion | Iron & Steel | Growing steel production in various countries propels consistent demand for refractory linings in blast furnaces and converters. |
| Industrial Infrastructure Development | Cement, Glass | The demand for un-formed refractories is shaped by the growing cement and glass production capabilities. |
| Energy Transition & Efficiency | Non-clay refractories | Adoption of low-carbon industrial processes increases the use of energy-efficient and durable refractory solutions. |
| Recycling & Sustainability Focus | All forms | Circular economic initiatives emphasize recycling spent refractories, lowering emissions and material costs. |
| Advanced Material Integration | Non-clay refractories | Integration of alumina, magnesia, and zirconia provides heat resistance, expanding equipment longevity. |
Global Refractories Market is projected to gain traction, registering a CAGR of 4.65% during 2025–2031. The demand surge is contributed by metallurgical expansion, rising construction materials output, and ongoing energy efficiency targets across industries. Introducing smart monitoring in furnaces and new refractory formulations with superior resistance to corrosion and slag erosion are enhancing plant reliability and cost efficiency globally. Moreover, the increasing deployment of high-performance non-clay refractories in electric arc furnaces and continuous casting applications is further enhancing operational throughput. The growing incorporation of digital process control and automated lining management systems is streamlining maintenance cycles and extending equipment service life.
Below are some major restraints and their influence on market dynamics:
| Restraints | Primary Segments Affected | What This Means (Evidence) |
| Raw Material Price Volatility | All types | Fluctuations in alumina, magnesia, and graphite prices impact manufacturing margins. |
| Environmental Regulations | Clay & non-clay | Emission norms for high-temperature furnaces increase compliance costs and restrict production volumes. |
| High Production Energy Costs | All forms | Raising fuel and power costs elevate operational expenses for refractory kilns. |
| Skilled Workforce Shortage | Unshaped refractories | Lack of specific expertise required for set up and upkeep continues to be a hindrance. |
| Supply Chain Disruptions | Components | Global logistics issues create delay in acquiring minerals and refractory aggregates. |
The Global Refractories industry has to face several challenges which include high energy intensity, rising environmental costs, and raw material dependence on specific geographies. Producers must balance decarbonization while keeping thermal stability and affordability. Limited recycling infrastructure and high logistics costs further constrain profitability in developing economies. Also, the refractory manufacturers often face supply chain disruption due to fluctuating raw material accessibility and transportation restriction.
There are several notable trends which are currently shaping the market dynamics:
Potential investment opportunities in the Global Refractories market growth include:
Some leading players dominating the Global Refractories Market share include:
| Company Name | RHI Magnesita N.V. |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Vienna, Austria |
| Established Year | 2017 |
| Official Website | Click Here |
Global leader in high-grade refractory products for steel, cement, and glass industries. The company emphasizes circular economy initiatives, recycling, and digital refractory monitoring platforms.
| Company Name | Krosaki Harima Corporation |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Tokyo, Japan |
| Established Year | 1918 |
| Official Website | Click Here |
A key supplier of advanced fire-resistant materials for iron & steel and non-ferrous industries, with significant investment in energy-efficient brick technologies.
| Company Name | Vesuvius plc |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
| Established Year | 1916 |
| Official Website | Click Here |
Provides flow control and refractories for steel casting and foundry industries; focuses on process simulation software and smart refractories.
| Company Name | Imerys S.A. |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Paris, France |
| Established Year | 1880 |
| Official Website | Click Here |
Operates in industrial minerals and specialty refractories with sustainable sourcing and advanced ceramic solutions.
| Company Name | Calderys Group |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Issy-les-Moulineaux, France |
| Established Year | 2005 |
| Official Website | Click Here |
Specializes in monolithic refractories, providing comprehensive services including installation, design, and digital performance analytics.
Governments are increasingly implementing policies promoting clean industrial processes and energy-efficient furnaces. Examples include EU Industrial Emissions Directive (IED), which set restrictions on emissions and encourages the use of cleaner kiln technologies. India’s National Steel Policy (NSP 2017) promotes modernization of steel plants propelling refractory revisions. China’s 14th Five-Year Plan encourages metallurgical manufacturing that uses less energy and emits lower pollutants. U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Industrial Decarbonization Initiative helps with the R&D of refractory materials that consumes less energy.
The future of the Global Refractories Market looks promising due to the steady manufacturing of steel, growing investment in infrastructure, attempts to create the economy more regenerative. AI automated upkeep and environment efficient raw material will transform how costs are structured and how life cycles are managed. As net-zero industrialization becomes more crucial, the chances for eco-friendly refractory solutions will be growing. This will keep revenue stable and allow for capacity growth until 2031.
The report offers a comprehensive study of the subsequent market segments and their leading categories.
According to Tanya Singh, Senior Research Analyst, 6Wresearch, Unshaped Refractories (Monolithic Refractories) are expected to dominate due to their flexibility, faster installation, and reduced maintenance downtime.
Non-clay refractories such as magnesia, alumina, and silica-based materials dominate the market due to their superior resistance to corrosion and high thermal stability, particularly suited for high-temperature metallurgical and glass processes.
The Iron & Steel industry remains the largest consumer of refractories, accounting for more than half of total demand. Blast furnaces, converters, and continuous casting lines rely heavily on advanced refractory materials to sustain extreme thermal and mechanical stress.
Asia Pacific holds the largest market share owing to rapid industrialization, growing steel capacity, and government-backed manufacturing initiatives in China, India, Japan, and South Korea. Favorable energy policies and abundant raw material availability further strengthen regional dominance.
The report provides a detailed analysis of the following market segments:
| Global Refractories Market |
| 1 Executive Summary |
| 2 Introduction |
| 2.1 Key Highlights of the Report |
| 2.2 Report Description |
| 2.3 Market Scope & Segmentation |
| 2.4 Research Methodology |
| 2.5 Assumptions |
| 3 Global Refractories Market Overview |
| 3.1 Global Regional Macro Economic Indicators |
| 3.2 Global Refractories Market Revenues & Volume, 2021 & 2031F |
| 3.3 Global Refractories Market - Industry Life Cycle |
| 3.4 Global Refractories Market - Porter's Five Forces |
| 3.5 Global Refractories Market Revenues & Volume Share, By Regions, 2021 & 2031F |
| 3.6 Global Refractories Market Revenues & Volume Share, By Form Types, 2021 & 2031F |
| 3.7 Global Refractories Market Revenues & Volume Share, By Product Types, 2021 & 2031F |
| 3.8 Global Refractories Market Revenues & Volume Share, By End-users, 2021 & 2031F |
| 4 Global Refractories Market Dynamics |
| 4.1 Impact Analysis |
| 4.2 Market Drivers |
| 4.3 Market Restraints |
| 5 Global Refractories Market Trends |
| 6 Global Refractories Market, 2021 - 2031 |
| 6.1 Global Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By Form Types, 2021 - 2031 |
| 6.1.1 Overview & Analysis |
| 6.1.2 Global Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By Shaped Refractories, 2021 - 2031 |
| 6.1.3 Global Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By Unshaped Refractories, 2021 - 2031 |
| 6.2 Global Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By Product Types, 2021 - 2031 |
| 6.2.1 Overview & Analysis |
| 6.2.2 Global Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By Non-clay Refractory, 2021 - 2031 |
| 6.2.3 Global Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By Clay Refractory, 2021 - 2031 |
| 6.3 Global Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By End-users, 2021 - 2031 |
| 6.3.1 Overview & Analysis |
| 6.3.2 Global Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By Iron & Steel, 2021 - 2031 |
| 6.3.3 Global Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By Cement, 2021 - 2031 |
| 6.3.4 Global Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By Non-Ferrous Metals, 2021 - 2031 |
| 6.3.5 Global Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By Glass, 2021 - 2031 |
| 6.3.6 Global Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By Others, 2021 - 2031 |
| 7 North America Refractories Market, Overview & Analysis |
| 7.1 North America Refractories Market Revenues & Volume, 2021 - 2031 |
| 7.2 North America Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By Countries, 2021 - 2031 |
| 7.2.1 United States (US) Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, 2021 - 2031 |
| 7.2.2 Canada Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, 2021 - 2031 |
| 7.2.3 Rest of North America Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, 2021 - 2031 |
| 7.3 North America Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By Form Types, 2021 - 2031 |
| 7.4 North America Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By Product Types, 2021 - 2031 |
| 7.5 North America Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By End-users, 2021 - 2031 |
| 8 Latin America (LATAM) Refractories Market, Overview & Analysis |
| 8.1 Latin America (LATAM) Refractories Market Revenues & Volume, 2021 - 2031 |
| 8.2 Latin America (LATAM) Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By Countries, 2021 - 2031 |
| 8.2.1 Brazil Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, 2021 - 2031 |
| 8.2.2 Mexico Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, 2021 - 2031 |
| 8.2.3 Argentina Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, 2021 - 2031 |
| 8.2.4 Rest of LATAM Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, 2021 - 2031 |
| 8.3 Latin America (LATAM) Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By Form Types, 2021 - 2031 |
| 8.4 Latin America (LATAM) Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By Product Types, 2021 - 2031 |
| 8.5 Latin America (LATAM) Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By End-users, 2021 - 2031 |
| 9 Asia Refractories Market, Overview & Analysis |
| 9.1 Asia Refractories Market Revenues & Volume, 2021 - 2031 |
| 9.2 Asia Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By Countries, 2021 - 2031 |
| 9.2.1 India Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, 2021 - 2031 |
| 9.2.2 China Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, 2021 - 2031 |
| 9.2.3 Japan Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, 2021 - 2031 |
| 9.2.4 Rest of Asia Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, 2021 - 2031 |
| 9.3 Asia Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By Form Types, 2021 - 2031 |
| 9.4 Asia Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By Product Types, 2021 - 2031 |
| 9.5 Asia Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By End-users, 2021 - 2031 |
| 10 Africa Refractories Market, Overview & Analysis |
| 10.1 Africa Refractories Market Revenues & Volume, 2021 - 2031 |
| 10.2 Africa Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By Countries, 2021 - 2031 |
| 10.2.1 South Africa Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, 2021 - 2031 |
| 10.2.2 Egypt Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, 2021 - 2031 |
| 10.2.3 Nigeria Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, 2021 - 2031 |
| 10.2.4 Rest of Africa Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, 2021 - 2031 |
| 10.3 Africa Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By Form Types, 2021 - 2031 |
| 10.4 Africa Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By Product Types, 2021 - 2031 |
| 10.5 Africa Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By End-users, 2021 - 2031 |
| 11 Europe Refractories Market, Overview & Analysis |
| 11.1 Europe Refractories Market Revenues & Volume, 2021 - 2031 |
| 11.2 Europe Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By Countries, 2021 - 2031 |
| 11.2.1 United Kingdom Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, 2021 - 2031 |
| 11.2.2 Germany Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, 2021 - 2031 |
| 11.2.3 France Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, 2021 - 2031 |
| 11.2.4 Rest of Europe Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, 2021 - 2031 |
| 11.3 Europe Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By Form Types, 2021 - 2031 |
| 11.4 Europe Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By Product Types, 2021 - 2031 |
| 11.5 Europe Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By End-users, 2021 - 2031 |
| 12 Middle East Refractories Market, Overview & Analysis |
| 12.1 Middle East Refractories Market Revenues & Volume, 2021 - 2031 |
| 12.2 Middle East Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By Countries, 2021 - 2031 |
| 12.2.1 Saudi Arabia Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, 2021 - 2031 |
| 12.2.2 UAE Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, 2021 - 2031 |
| 12.2.3 Turkey Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, 2021 - 2031 |
| 12.3 Middle East Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By Form Types, 2021 - 2031 |
| 12.4 Middle East Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By Product Types, 2021 - 2031 |
| 12.5 Middle East Refractories Market, Revenues & Volume, By End-users, 2021 - 2031 |
| 13 Global Refractories Market Key Performance Indicators |
| 14 Global Refractories Market - Export/Import By Countries Assessment |
| 15 Global Refractories Market - Opportunity Assessment |
| 15.1 Global Refractories Market Opportunity Assessment, By Countries, 2021 & 2031F |
| 15.2 Global Refractories Market Opportunity Assessment, By Form Types, 2021 & 2031F |
| 15.3 Global Refractories Market Opportunity Assessment, By Product Types, 2021 & 2031F |
| 15.4 Global Refractories Market Opportunity Assessment, By End-users, 2021 & 2031F |
| 16 Global Refractories Market - Competitive Landscape |
| 16.1 Global Refractories Market Revenue Share, By Companies, 2024 |
| 16.2 Global Refractories Market Competitive Benchmarking, By Operating and Technical Parameters |
| 17 Top 10 Company Profiles |
| 18 Recommendations |
| 19 Disclaimer |