Displaying items by tag: Refractory

Europe: RHI Magnesita is heading a European Union Horizon project called ReSoURCE. The project seeks to develop a sensor-based refractory waste sorting and powder handling system. It involves academic partners in Austria, Germany, Ireland, Norway and the UK. The European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA) supplied Euro6m in funding for the study, while the UK government supplied Euro1m. Global refractory waste generation is currently 28Mt/yr.

RHI Magnesita chief executive officer Stefan Borgas said “On average, 60% of all spent refractories generated by refractory-consuming industries go to landfill, while only 30% are recycled. With the ReSoURCE project, we aim to increase it up to 75%. This means we can achieve significant savings of CO₂ emissions per annum. With this research project, we have the chance to make a difference in the world.”

Austria: Refractory producer RHI Magnesita increased its consolidated sales by 33% year-on-year to Euro1.6bn in the first half of 2022 from Euro1.2bn in the first half of 2021. Its adjusted earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 37% to Euro245m from Euro 179m. Profit before tax rose by 14% year-on-year to Euro142m from Euro125m.

Looking forward to its full-year 2022 results, RHI Magnesita forecast unchanged earnings, based on ‘strong demand’ in the year to date and its order book for the second half of the year. It said that inflation and monetary policy responses, labour and energy market tightness and on-going supply chain disruption have impacted its global growth outlook. It will rely on price rises to maintain its margins, as well as on strategic cost saving initiatives.

Chief executive officer Stefan Borgas said “In the first half of 2022 we further demonstrated the benefits of prioritising customer deliveries in an environment of continued supply chain volatility. Our investment in inventories to ensure our customers remain supplied with essential refractories has underlined the importance of supply reliability and has enabled us to simultaneously increase prices and gain market share. Following major investments in our production network, a reduction in our selling, general and administrative expenses and progress on our sales strategies, the group is in a strong position to maintain its leadership position in the refractory industry and to navigate future challenges.”

India: Dalmia Bharat Refractories and Japan-based Shinagawa Refractories have launched a refractories partnership to serve India and other markets.

Dalmia Bharat Refractories managing director Sameer Nagpal said "We have been strategically expanding our partnerships to bring best-in-the world products and solutions to our customers, and this relationship very well complements our objective. Dalmia Bharat Refractories is well positioned to meet the growing demand for refractories over the next few years, with five manufacturing units in India and two overseas, and a manufacturing capacity of 345,000t/yr."

India: Dalmia Bharat Refractories plans to launch its cement refractory products in new export markets. Chemical Industry Digest has reported that the company aims to achieve a turnover of US$191m in the 2023 financial year, and to launch a 3 – 4 year US$38.1 capital expenditure investment package. The supplier currently exports some refractories to Canada, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Spain and West Asia.

Managing director and CEO Sameer Nagpal said “We have started some trials in Germany, before we turn regular suppliers and tap deeper into the export market.” Nagpal said that the company would also target other markets in Asia, Africa and Europe. He concluded “We are looking to gain a greater share of the customer’s wallet in these markets and in India.”

Austria: RHI Magnesita says it has released CO₂ emissions data for all of its 200,000 products. Technical Data Sheets now include a field ‘Environmental Indicators’ in which the CO₂ equivalent emission of one metric ton of the product is listed. The calculation method for these indicators is developed with and supervised on an on-going basis by an external organisation under the principles of ISO standards. All greenhouse gases ‘cradle-to-gate’, from raw material extraction to production to packaging to gate are considered in these CO₂ footprint calculations.

Chief sustainability officer Gustavo Franco said "This project marks an important milestone towards a green transformation. Thus, one of RHI Magnesita's main targets is to significantly reduce emissions over the next few decades, with the long-term goal of achieving net-zero operations in all areas of the company. It is clear, that a solid basis for sustainable decisions and developments can only be achieved by creating a valid audited database."

Kyrgyzstan: United Cement Group (UCG) subsidiary Kant Cement has begun installation of a lining on its Kant cement plant’s rotary kiln in order to reduce losses and improve the efficiency of the plant. The producer expects the lining to raise its kiln’s temperatures by 100°C. It consists of wear-resistent RMAG–H2 bricks and HALBOR–400 refractory bricks.

UCG said “Energy efficiency and energy saving are among the most important factors for the successful implementation of ongoing economic and social reforms.”

India: Dalmia Bharat Group’s refractories subsidiary Dalmia-OCL has consolidated its businesses as Dalmia Bharat Refractories. The company said that the consolidation aims to strengthen the businesses’ financial standing, increase investment capabilities and positioning the new entity as a trustworthy and long-term partner for its customers in the cement industry.

Dalmia Bharat Refractories managing director and CEO Sameer Nagpal said "Our refractory business was divided into different companies which resulted in division of our financial, managerial and technical resources. This consolidation will lead into a more centralised, efficient and a robust management system with a stronger resource base for the future. The formation of Dalmia Bharat Refractories will allow us to offer a wider portfolio of products and services and deeper client relationships.” Nagpal added that the consolidation ‘Will enable us to become an alternative supply source to China in international markets.’

Indonesia: Indonesia Power says that it has processed coal fly ash and bottom ash from its Adipala power plant into building materials, including cement-free ready-mix concrete, concrete blocks, paving slabs and refractory casts. The energy company also supplies ash to mine reclamation and water neutralisation projects, according to LKBN Antara News. In total, it reused 135,000t of ash by-products in 2021. The company generates 85,000t/yr fly ash and bottom ash.

Sinar Tambang Arthaestari has previous targeted Indonesia Power’s ash products for use in its cement production.

Austria: RHI Magnesita is celebrating the tenth anniversary of first opening its Training Centre Cement in Leoben, Styria. The centre supports the regional cement industry with RHI Magnesita’s knowledge and experience of refractory bricks and mixes installation. It has held more than 50 instructive courses.

Centre leader Peter Steinkellner said “We are very pleased that more than 550 professionals from various countries have attended our trainings in the past 10 years.”

Russia: Eurocement has completed a Euro3.3m maintenance project on the kiln at its Mordovcement plant in Chamzinsky District. The wet-process kiln was reconstructed as part of a large-scale modernisation program. Work conducted included replacement casing bandages, roller supports, the kiln chain curtain and the welding of cracks along the kiln shell. The project included a major relining of refractory material with magnesia bricks produced by the Magnezit Group and aluminosilicate refractory bricks produced by BKO. Maintenance work was also carried out on the plant’s FLSmidth Cross-Bar cooler.