Economical Impact of Refractory Manufacturing in India During Pandemic

A refractory material maintains its form and chemical identity under high temperatures and is used for applications with extreme heat resistance. Specifically, temperatures above 1000°F (538°C) need resistance to refractory. Mechanically strong and heat resistant, refractories can withstand rapid temperature changes, as well as corrosion and degradation from molten metal, glass, slag, and hot gas. Kilns, furnaces, boilers, incinerators, and other applications all use refractory materials.

Refractories are a wide range of inorganic, non-metallic, porous, and heterogeneous materials engineered to withstand high industrial temperatures and pressures. Fireclay, high alumina minerals, silica, magnesite, chromite, and other refractory materials are among the most common. They're made of materials that can withstand mechanical and thermal stress and corrosion from solids, liquids, and gases, as well as mechanical abrasion and gas diffusion. They are used to absorb heat and protect processing equipment from high temperatures in boilers and furnaces.

Characterizing the refractory manufacturing industry is essential for estimating the economic impacts of various regulatory options. This segment explains the production process, including the inputs and outputs. Characterizing the industry's supply-side often entails identifying different forms of refractory materials, by-products, and input substitution options.

Production, Input, and Output Processes

Refractories are manufactured using a specific combination of chemical compounds and minerals to achieve a certain degree of thermal stability, corrosion resistance, thermal expansion, and other properties. Raw material processing, shaping, firing, and final processing are all steps in the refractory manufacturing process. The processing of raw materials is the first step in the manufacture of refractories. Crushing and grinding raw materials, size classification, calcining, and drying are all steps involve in the raw material processing. After that, the raw materials can be dry-mixed with other minerals and chemical compounds, packed, and delivered as a finished product.

Following the mixing process, the raw materials are shaped into desired shapes. To aid adhesion during the pressing/shaping process, liquids are applied to the dry raw materials. The material is fired after the refractory has been shaped. The refractory material is heated to high temperatures in a periodic batch or continuous tunnel kiln to form a ceramic bond. The raw materials gain their refractory properties as a result of this process. The final stage in processing includes milling, grinding & sandblasting the finished product.

The Finished Good:

There are two main categories in the manufacturing process of refractory products — Shaped and Unshaped refractory.

• Shaped Refractories: Bricks, shapes, and crucibles are examples of pre-shaped refractories. Pre-firing is done on shaped refractories to bring out their ceramic characteristics.

• Unshaped Refractories: Unshaped refractories are also known as "Monolithics". Mortars, gunning mixes, castables (refractory concrete), ramming masses, and plastics are examples of unshaped refractories. Unshaped refractories are made in a slightly different way than shaped refractories. Unshaped refractories are usually not fired until they hit the end user. Spraying, casting, moulding, or ramming are all options for installing these unshaped refractories.

Market Analysis Before 2019:

During the period 2014 to 2019, the global refractories market grew at a CAGR of about 5%. One of the main factors driving the market's optimistic outlook is significant growth in the steel industry around the world. Rising infrastructural activities, especially in developing countries, are also driving the market. In contrast to conventional tools, refractories have a higher temperature tolerance, are easier to mount, and can produce bricks in custom shapes. Unshaped refractories are also widely used in a variety of building applications.

Furthermore, technical advances and the emerging trend of recycling refractory materials for steel production are positively impacting the industry. Other factors, such as rising demand for non-ferrous metals and increased use of aerospace, automotive, medical, electrical, and construction castings, are expected to propel the market even further. The global refractories market is expected to expand at a moderate pace over the next five years, according to the publisher.

Market Analysis After 2019:

The demand for refractories was priced at 27,448.25 kilotons in 2020, and it is expected to grow at a CAGR of more than 2.5 percent over the next five years (2021-2026).

Numerous countries were placed on lockdown as a result of COVID-19, which had a major impact on the global economy. Economic and manufacturing operations were temporarily halted, and the refractories sector was impacted in terms of both supply and demand from end-user industries such as iron and steel, cement, energy and chemicals, ceramics, and so on.

• The strong growth of iron and steel production in emerging countries and an increase in the production of non-ferrous materials are the major factors driving the market analyzed in the medium term. The internal lining uses in iron steel and non-ferrous productions are covered by refractories.

• Furthermore, the glass industry's high demand is a major factor behind the expansion.

• On the other hand, as environmental consciousness grows, governments and environmental organizations around the world are establishing standards for the use and disposal of refractories. This is likely to restrict business expansion.

Conclusion:

As the world struggles with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the refractories industry faces numerous challenges. The industry is taking the requisite steps to reduce risk and practice social distancing while still supplying the refractory goods that are essential to the world's critical infrastructures by implementing the COVID-19-related measures.