North America Refractory Material Market Outlook, 2029

The North American refractory material market is an important section of the worldwide refractory industry, driven by the region's strong industrial sectors such as steel, cement, glass, and nonferrous metals. High-temperature applications require refractory materials, which provide thermal insulation and corrosion resistance. The market includes a diverse range of items, such as bricks, castables, ceramic fibres, and insulation materials. The industry has progressed dramatically, moving away from old clay-based refractories and towards modern materials such as alumina, silica, and magnesia. Demand increased following World War II as the steel and cement industries expanded.

Innovation is a critical driver of growth in the North American refractory material market. Recent breakthroughs include the creation of lightweight, high-strength refractory materials that provide excellent thermal insulation and resilience to thermal stress. Nanotechnology is being used to develop refractory materials with improved mechanical and thermal qualities. Furthermore, there is a rising emphasis on sustainability, with producers investing in environmentally friendly refractory materials to reduce energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions.

The COVID-19 epidemic had a significant influence on North America's refractory material sector. The initial epidemic caused supply chain delays, labour shortages, and temporary closures of manufacturing plants. However, the market began to revive in the later half of 2020, as sectors adjusted to the new normal and governments implemented stimulus packages to revive the economy.

According to the research report "North America Refractory Material Market Overview, 2029,", the North American refractory material market was valued at more than USD 28.38 billion in 2023. Several prominent competitors dominate the North American refractory material market, including RHI Magnesita, Saint-Gobain, Harbison-Walker International, and Morgan Advanced Materials. These companies have a significant presence in the region and provide a diverse range of refractory goods. The market is highly competitive, with firms focussing on product innovation, cost reduction, and strategic alliances to obtain a competitive advantage.

Mergers and acquisitions are also prevalent, as businesses seek to broaden their product offerings and market reach. RHI Magnesita has collaborated with numerous universities to perform research into new refractory solutions. Furthermore, corporations build relationships with end users to better understand their demands and offer tailored refractory products.

These collaborations assist to drive innovation, improve product quality, and increase consumer pleasure. The North American refractory material industry is influenced by global trade trends. The region is a major importer of refractory materials, primarily from China, India, and Germany. The US is the region's major importer, followed by Canada and Mexico.

On the other side, North America exports refractory materials to a number of countries, with the United States being a prominent exporter. The export market is driven by the region's superior manufacturing capabilities as well as international demand for high-quality refractory goods. Effective supply chain management is critical for assuring timely delivery of refractory materials and keeping inventory levels stable. Companies are increasingly using digital supply chain solutions to boost productivity, cut costs, and increase visibility.

Market Drivers

• Increase in industries: North America's refractory material market is primarily driven by the rise of sectors such as steel, cement, glass, and non-ferrous metals. According to the American Iron and Steel Institute, the United States' steel industry alone contributed $520 billion to the economy in 2019. The growing demand from these industries for high-temperature applications drives the expansion of the refractory material market.
• Infrastructure Development: Significant investments in infrastructure construction, particularly in the United States and Canada, are pushing up demand for refractory materials. The U.S. government's infrastructure expenditure initiatives, such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, are expected to enhance the construction sector, increasing the need for refractory materials.

Market Challenges

• Price fluctuation: Raw material price volatility, including alumina, silica, and magnesia, is a major concern for refractory makers. Price fluctuation can affect production costs and profit margins, making it harder for businesses to maintain competitive pricing.
• Regulatory Compliance: Manufacturers of refractory materials in North America have challenges in meeting strict environmental and safety norms. Compliance with these rules necessitates substantial expenditures in technology and processes, which may raise operational expenses.

Market Trends

• Digital Transformation: The refractory material industry is rapidly adopting digital technologies like IoT, AI, and automation. These technologies help to improve operating efficiency, reduce expenses, and enhance product quality.
• Customization and Specialization: Customised and specialised refractory materials are increasingly sought after for certain industrial applications. Manufacturers collaborate with end users to develop refractory products that match their individual requirements, increasing customer happiness and loyalty.

Unshaped refractory materials have the largest market share and are growing the fastest in the North American refractory market.

Unshaped refractory materials, such as castables, plastics, and ramming mixtures, dominate the market due to their adaptability, ease of installation, and low cost. Furthermore, unshaped refractory materials provide superior thermal insulation and resistance to thermal stress than shaped refractory goods. Unshaped refractory materials are in high demand due to the growing preference for monolithic linings, which provide seamless and continuous insulation, lowering heat loss and enhancing energy efficiency. Furthermore, advances in formulation and installation procedures have improved unshaped refractory materials' performance and longevity, making them the favoured choice for a wide range of high-temperature applications.

HWI has a long history in the refractory business and provides a wide range of refractory materials such as bricks, castables, and ceramic fibres. The company's emphasis on product quality, technological competence, and customer service has earned it a solid reputation in the market. Saint-Gobain, a global maker of high-performance materials, also has a strong position in the North American refractory material industry. RHI Magnesita, which has a substantial presence in North America, provides a diverse range of shaped and unshaped refractory materials for a variety of sectors.

In the North American refractory material market, basic refractory materials lead in terms of market share and growth.

Basic refractories, principally made of magnesia (MgO) and dolomite, are preferred due to their exceptional resilience to high temperatures, thermal shock, and corrosive conditions. These qualities make basic refractories ideal for usage in industries like steel, cement, and glass, where they are employed in furnace linings, ladles, and other crucial parts. The demand for basic refractories stems from their improved performance in alkaline conditions, which are ubiquitous in many industrial processes. Furthermore, advances in manufacturing technology have increased the quality and uniformity of basic refractory materials, adding to their popularity.

The growing emphasis on energy efficiency and sustainability has also increased demand for basic refractories, which help to reduce heat loss and improve overall industrial process efficiency. Saint-Gobain, a global maker of high-performance materials, is a key player in the North American refractory material industry. The company provides a wide range of basic refractory goods, such as magnesia and dolomite bricks, for a variety of industrial uses. Saint-Gobain's commitment to innovation, sustainability, and customer happiness has helped it establish itself as an industry leader. These firms, along with others such as Morgan Advanced Materials, continue to drive growth and innovation in the North American refractory material market, notably in the basic refractory sector.

Alumina (Al2O3) is the most often used chemical composition in the North American refractory material market due to its outstanding characteristics and wide variety of applications.

Alumina refractories are utilised in furnace linings, kiln cars and other important components because they offer consistent performance and a long service life. Alumina refractories are in high demand due to their versatility and ability to tolerate demanding operating environments. Furthermore, advances in production technology have increased the quality and uniformity of alumina refractory materials, boosting their popularity. The growing emphasis on energy efficiency and sustainability has increased demand for alumina refractories, which help to reduce heat loss and improve overall industrial process efficiency. RHI Magnesita, a global supplier of refractory goods and systems, is one of the more notable players.

RHI Magnesita provides a variety of alumina refractory materials, such as high-alumina bricks, corundum bricks, and alumina-silica bricks. Morgan innovative Materials, a global leader in innovative materials, also has a strong position in the North American refractory material sector. The company provides a wide range of alumina refractory materials, including high-alumina and alumina-silica bricks, for a variety of industrial applications. Morgan Advanced Materials' commitment to innovation, sustainability, and customer satisfaction has made them an industry leader. These firms, along with others such as Saint-Gobain, continue to drive growth and innovation in the North American refractory material market, notably in the alumina refractory sector.

Metals & Metallurgy is the leading end-use segment in North America's refractory material industry.

Steel, iron, and non-ferrous metal industries all require refractory materials for use in furnaces, ladles, and other crucial components at high temperatures. The Metals & Metallurgy sector's supremacy is due to strong demand for steel and other metals in downstream industries such as construction, automotive, and manufacturing. According to the American Iron and Steel Institute, the US steel industry alone provided billions of dollars to the economy in 2019, demonstrating the sector's significance. Refractory materials serve an important role in metallurgical processes by providing heat insulation, corrosion resistance, and mechanical strength.

The metals industry's rising emphasis on energy efficiency and sustainability has fuelled demand for innovative refractory materials that improve operational efficiency. Several notable domestic North American companies dominate the refractory material market, employing superior technology and diverse product portfolios. RHI Magnesita, with a significant presence in the region, provides a diverse range of refractory materials adapted to certain sectors.

Harbison-Walker International (HWI) is another important company, noted for its wide range of refractory products and technological knowledge. Saint-Gobain, a multinational company, has a strong presence in North America and provides high-performance refractory materials. Morgan Advanced Materials is also a key player, emphasising innovation and client satisfaction.

The United States is the leading country in the North America refractory material market, accounting for the largest share of both production and consumption.

Several reasons contribute to the United States' dominant position in this sector. For starters, the United States has a strong and diverse industrial base that includes important steel, cement, glass, and petrochemical sectors, all of which are big users of refractory materials. The United States steel industry, for example, is one of the world's largest, with a high demand for refractory products in a variety of metallurgical processes. The existence of significant players benefits not only the domestic market but also exports, thereby improving the United States' position in the global refractory industry.

Furthermore, the United States has a well-established infrastructure and logistical network, allowing for effective distribution of refractory materials to end customers. The country's excellent manufacturing capabilities and availability to raw materials also contribute significantly to its market supremacy. Furthermore, the United States government's emphasis on infrastructure development and sustainability efforts increases demand for refractory materials, as these projects frequently require high-temperature applications. Second, the United States is home to many major refractory material manufacturers, including RHI Magnesita, Harbison-Walker International (HWI), and Morgan Advanced Materials. These companies have excellent R&D skills, allowing them to invent and manufacture innovative refractory materials that meet the changing needs of numerous industries

• In 1865, Harbison-Walker Refractories, one of the oldest and most well-known refractory enterprises in North America, was founded. Since then, the company has been a pioneer in the refractory industry, making major contributions to its growth and development.
• In 2017, RHI Magnesita was founded by merging RHI AG and Magnesita Refratários S.A. This combination formed one of the world's major refractory companies, with a significant presence in North America. The united firm provides a full line of refractory materials and systems.
• In 2012, A.P. Green Industries, a subsidiary of RHI AG, purchased Plibrico Company LLC, a top refractory material manufacturer in North America. This acquisition increased RHI's product portfolio and market reach.
• In 2002, Morgan Advanced Materials introduced Superwool, a low bio-persistence fibre. Superwool provides better thermal insulation and is employed in a variety of high-temperature applications, representing a substantial breakthrough in refractory materials.
• In 2019, RHI Magnesita introduced a new line of advanced castables with improved thermal insulation and thermal shock resistance. These goods meet the evolving needs of numerous industries, including steel and cement.

Considered in this report

• Historic year: 2018
• Base year: 2023
• Estimated year: 2024
• Forecast year: 2029

Aspects covered in this report

• Refractory Material market Outlook with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Form

• Shaped
• Unshaped

By Chemistry

• Basic
• Acidic
• Neutral

By Chemical Composition

• Fireclay
• Alumina
• Magnesia
• Silica
• Others

By End Use

• Metals & Metallurgy
• Cement
• Glass & Ceramics
• Power Generation
• Others

The approach of the report:

This report consists of a combined approach of primary and secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list the companies that are present in it. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual reports of companies, and government-generated reports and databases.

After gathering the data from secondary sources, primary research was conducted by conducting telephone interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this; we have started making primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting them in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us, we can start verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience

This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations, and organizations related to the Refractory Material industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing and presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.