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Refractories play a key role in all high-temperature applications and cover various key industries such as steel, non-ferrous metals, cement, lime, ceramics, glass, foundries, petrochemicals, power generation, waste incineration etc.
 
In spite of the steadily increasing performance of refractory materials (refractory consumption today: average 10kg/t steel, 20 years ago: average 30 kg/t steel) the refractory world market has doubled in the last decade (2000: 20 Mt; 2010: 42Mt). The prospects are good as the main user segment steel, equivalent to approx. 70% market share,  is still growing on a global scale (2000: 850 Mt; 2010: 1417 Mt; FC 2015: 1800 Mt). Meanwhile China is the biggest steel producer worldwide (2000: 129 Mt; 2010: 626 Mt).

The globalisation of the refractories sector is rather advanced. BRIC countries have a big potential. Not only the steel per capita consumption in these countries offers still plenty of headroom, furthermore other sectors enhancing the standard of living, are growing too. Refractories make those products happen.
Price increases and high price fluctuations for the major refractory raw materials e.g. bauxite, magnesite and graphite are serious topics at present. China has a leading role as raw material reserves of bauxite are about 2,5 billion t, 2,5% of the total deposits in the world. The proven reserve of magnesite count for about 3,4 billion t, which is 25% of the world total. For flake graphite, Chinese reserves are estimated to be 50% of the worldwide reserves. Also Brazil and Russia can rely on own good deposits. This fact gives these countries a good position in the global market.
 
The explosion in the price of raw materials as well as environment-related restrictions are challenging refractories companies to continuously develop innovative approaches in raw material substitution, if applicable, material design, material processing and product functionality.

The understanding of the mechanical, thermal, chemical and functional properties as controlled by their structure at nano-, micro- and macro-levels followed by chemical and physical interactions at interfaces/surfaces is an unlimited tool for continuous development and optimization of refractory products. R+D activities are focussing on „smart“ functional refractories by taking on board technologies, which in part are already used in advanced ceramics. Bridging this knowledge leads to new product approaches.

Raw materials, advances in process technology and quality management are on the one hand  important topics showcased at CERAMITEC for the refractories sector. On the other hand refractory suppliers will present new products of refractories and high temperature materials for standard and innovative applications.
The refractories sector is totally in-line with the new tagline of CERAMITEC „Materials – Technologies – Innovations“,  as these topics are the key to succeed in developing competitive, eco-friendly processes and high temperature materials for new and standard refractory applications.
 
Further information about CERAMITEC 2012: www.ceramitec.de

Press contact:
Dr. Jutta Seitz, Trade Fair PR Manager
Phone: +49 89 949 21480, Fax: +49 89 949 9721480
Jutta.Seitz@messe-muenchen.de
 
CERAMITEC
CERAMITEC Technologies – Innovations – Materials takes place at the New Munich Trade Fair Center from May 22-25, 2012. Since its premiere in 1979 CERAMITEC has developed into the world’s leading trade show for the ceramic industry. CERAMITEC 2009 attracted 656 exhibitors from 35 countries and approx. 15,000 visitors from 84 countries. Statistics for CERAMITEC are checked by the independent auditors Ernst & Young AG contracted by the Gesellschaft zur Freiwilligen Kontrolle von Messe- und Ausstellungszahlen (Society for Voluntary Control of Fair and Exhibition Statistics).
 
Messe München International
Messe München International is one of the world´s leading trade-fair companies. In Munich alone it organises around 40 trade fairs for capital and consumer goods, and key high-tech industries. Each year more than 30,000 exhibitors and over two million visitors take part in the events held in the New Munich Trade Fair Centre, the ICM – International Congress Centre Munich, and in the M,O,C, Events and Order Centre.
In addition, Messe München International organises trade fairs in Asia, Russia, the Middle East and South America. With six subsidiaries in Europe and Asia and more than 60 foreign representatives actively serving over 90 countries, Messe München International has a worldwide business network. The Group also takes a pioneering role as regards sustainability: It is the first trade-fair company to be awarded energy-efficiency certification from the technical inspection authorities TÜV SÜD.