United States (USA) Refractory Materials Market Overview, 2029

United States (USA) Refractory Materials Market Overview, 2029

The US refractory materials market is an important part of the country's industrial landscape, offering heat-resistant materials for a variety of high-temperature applications. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are two major government organisations active in the refractory materials industry. The USGS tracks the production and consumption of refractory materials, offering useful information into industry trends. OSHA, on the other hand, ensures the safe handling and use of these materials by enforcing standards that safeguard workers from potential hazards. More recently, in the 2010s, the market switched towards lightweight and insulating refractory materials, owing to energy efficiency concerns. The American Ceramic Society's Refractory Ceramics Division was established in 1957 to support the growth of refractory materials science and technology. Compliance in the US refractory materials business include following OSHA and EPA requirements. These standards include worker safety, material handling, disposal, and environmental effect. The EPA's Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) governs the disposal of waste refractory materials. The COVID-19 epidemic has had a significant influence on the United States refractory materials market. The market fell significantly in 2020 due to supply chain disruptions and lower demand from key end-user sectors such as steel and cement. However, the market began to rebound in late 2020 and early 2021, owing to the revival of industrial activity and rising demand from the building industry. The pandemic has also spurred the market's embrace of digital technology, with enterprises increasingly relying on remote monitoring and predictive maintenance solutions to optimise refractory material usage and save downtime.

According to the research report, ""USA Refractory Material Market Outlook, 2029,"" published by Bonafide Research, the USA refractory material market is anticipated to add to more than USD 520 Million by 2024–29. There are various trends shaping the growth and evolution of the refractory materials market in the United States. One notable trend is the growing need for high-performance refractory materials that can survive high temperatures and harsh environments. This need is being driven by technological developments in industries such as steel, cement, and glass, where processes are becoming more intensive and efficient. Also, there is a rising preference for lightweight and insulating refractory materials that provide energy savings and lower emissions, thereby matching with sustainability aims. Digital transformation is also gaining traction in the refractory materials market. Companies are using technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), predictive analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI) to track refractory lining conditions in real time, optimise maintenance schedules, and improve operating efficiency. Domestic and multinational firms are key players in the United States' refractory materials industry. RHI Magnesita, Saint-Gobain, and Morgan Advanced Materials are three significant global players participating in the United States market. These companies provide a diverse range of refractory goods and have a significant presence in a variety of end-user sectors. Domestic enterprises play an important part in the market. HarbisonWalker International (HWI) is a significant refractory supplier in the United States, offering a diverse range of goods and services. One of the key drivers is the construction sector's rapid growth, which raises demand for refractory materials in infrastructure projects and building construction. Also, the expansion of the petrochemical and chemical sectors is boosting demand for refractory materials.

Shaped and unshaped refractory materials are available in the United States to meet a variety of application requirements. Shaped refractories, also known as brick refractories, are pre-formed into precise forms and sizes, providing benefits such as standardisation, ease of replacement, and high strength. They are widely employed in areas with heavy wear or where structural integrity is critical, such as furnace walls and arches. Unshaped refractories, also known as monolithic refractories, are materials that can be cast, pumped, or gunned into place. They include castables, plastics, ramming mixes, and gunning mixes. Unshaped refractories provide advantages like as seamless installation, fewer joints, and increased resilience to thermal shock and chemical attacks. Unshaped refractories now dominate the US market for a variety of reasons. Monolithic refractories are a popular alternative for a variety of applications due to their versatility and ease of installation. They can be set up fast and efficiently, lowering downtime and labour expenses. Also, the need for customised and complex shapes in modern industrial processes encourages the usage of unshaped refractories. Also, advances in monolithic refractory technology have resulted in the development of high-performance materials that can compete with, or even outperform, shaped refractories in a variety of applications. HarbisonWalker International (HWI), Resco Products, Inc., and Plibrico Company, LLC are among the leading domestic players in the United States refractory materials market. These companies provide a wide range of shaped and unshaped refractory products. HWI, for example, offers a diverse array of refractory bricks, castables, and other monolithic products for a variety of sectors. Resco and Plibrico are also major players, providing specialised refractory solutions customised to individual customer requirements. Suppliers in the United States market include both domestic businesses and foreign corporations with a strong presence in the region. These providers frequently work with end users to create customised refractory solutions that address specific application needs.

In the US refractory materials industry, refractories are classified as basic, acidic, or neutral depending on their chemical composition and high-temperature behaviour. Basic refractories, such as magnesia (MgO) and dolomite, include basic oxides that react with acidic slags and flux. They are commonly employed in applications requiring high slag resistance, such as steelmaking furnaces and cement kilns. Acidic refractories, primarily made of silica (SiO2) and alumina (Al2O3), can withstand acidic conditions but react with basic slags. They are often utilised in applications with acidic environments, such as glass furnaces, boilers, and incinerators. Neutral refractories, which include chromite, carbon, and certain forms of alumina, are very resistant to both acidic and basic conditions. Basic refractories are currently the market leader in the United States due to their widespread application in the steel sector, which is a major user of refractory material. The steel industry demands high-performance basic refractories that can survive aggressive basic slags and high temperatures in a variety of processes, including electric arc furnaces (EAF) and basic oxygen furnaces (BOF). Leading domestic enterprises in the United States refractory materials market provide a variety of basic, acidic, and neutral refractory goods. HarbisonWalker International (HWI) is a major supplier of refractory materials, including magnesia-based basic refractories, high-alumina acidic refractories, and neutral refractories such as chromite and carbon-containing products. Resco Products, Inc. and Plibrico Company, LLC are two significant domestic providers who provide specialised refractory solutions for specific industrial applications.

In the US refractory materials market, different types of refractories are employed depending on their compositional properties and suitability for diverse applications. Fireclay, alumina, magnesia, silica, chromite, dolomite, and carbon-based refractories are among the most important refractory materials. Fireclay refractories, which are largely made of alumina (Al2O3) and silica (SiO2), are noted for their excellent refractoriness, thermal shock resistance, and low to moderate strength. They are commonly utilised in applications requiring moderate temperatures, such as furnace linings, kilns, and incinerators. Alumina refractories, with their high alumina content (>45%), are extremely resistant to high temperatures, abrasion, and chemical assault. They are often utilised in high-temperature environments such as steel ladles, cement kilns, and glass furnaces. Alumina refractories are now the market leader in the United States due to their adaptability and wide range of applications in a variety sectors. The expansion of industries such as steel, cement, and glass has increased demand for high-performance alumina refractories. Also, the development of sophisticated alumina-based materials, such as alumina-magnesia and alumina-chrome refractories, has broadened their application possibilities. Leading domestic players in the US refractory materials industry provide a wide range of refractory goods. HarbisonWalker International (HWI) is a well-known provider of refractory materials such as fireclay, alumina, magnesia, and silica-based products. Resco Products, Inc. and Plibrico Company, LLC are two major domestic firms that provide specialised refractory solutions adapted to specific industrial requirements.

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.