Refractories Market Report 2026

The refractories market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $29.13 billion in 2025 to $30.26 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of iron and steel industry, expansion of power generation sector, increasing demand from cement and glass industries, development of traditional refractory materials, rising infrastructure projects in emerging economies.

The refractories market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $34.51 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to adoption of eco-friendly refractory materials, growth in high-performance refractory applications, technological advancements in refractory manufacturing, rising demand in automotive and aerospace sectors, expansion of recycling and reuse of refractory waste. Major trends in the forecast period include development of high-temperature resistant materials, increasing use of monolithic refractories, rising demand for customized shaped refractories, expansion of refractories in non-ferrous metals and cement industries, adoption of advanced refractory installation techniques.

Rising demand for iron and steel is helping drive growth in the refractories market. Demand for these metals continues to increase due to expanding infrastructure projects and growth in the automotive and railway sectors. At the same time, there is a growing focus on energy-efficient steelmaking processes, which further increases the need for high-performance refractory materials. Refractories serve as essential linings for furnaces, protecting working surfaces and backup areas during the production of iron and steel. For example, in October 2024, India Brand Equity Foundation reported that steel consumption in India was expected to increase by 17% to 110 million tons in FY22 as construction activity accelerated. Therefore, increasing demand for iron and steel is supporting the expansion of the refractories market.

Companies in the refractories industry are investing in new material innovations designed to improve durability and performance. One area of development involves refractory metals, which have extremely high melting points and strong resistance to corrosion and wear. For instance, in August 2024, Calderys introduced its HWI range of copper refractory products across the EMEA region. These solutions feature advanced brick and castable formulations that help protect production units from high temperatures and slag erosion, ultimately extending equipment lifespan and improving operational efficiency.

In January 2023, RHI Magnesita acquired Dalmia Bharat Refractories Limited to broaden its portfolio of products and services and reach a wider customer base. The acquisition strengthens RHI Magnesita’s market presence by adding comprehensive refractory design, installation, and maintenance capabilities, along with access to customers in more than 40 countries. Dalmia Bharat Refractories specializes in providing end-to-end refractory solutions for industrial applications.

Major companies operating in the refractories market report are Saint-Gobain SA, Kyocera, Imerys, RHI Magnesita GmbH, Vesuvius, Minerals Technologies Inc., Shinagawa Refractories Co Ltd., Morgan Advanced Materials, Calderys, CoorsTek, Puyang Refractories Group Co Ltd., Harbisonwalker International, Dalmia-OCL, Resco Products Inc., Intocast AG, Allied Mineral Products, Zircar Refractories Ltd., Chosun Refractories, Magnezit Group, IFGL Refractories Ltd., Krosaki Harima Corporation, Orient Refractories Limited, Refratechnik, Refractarios Alfran.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the refractories market in 2025. The regions covered in the refractories market are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the refractories market are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The refractories market consists of sales of alumina, silica, and magnesia. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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