Decarbonizing energy-intensive processes is one of the major challenges facing high-temperature industries. At the same time, companies need to keep operating costs under control. Switching from fossil fuels to electricity, hydrogen or other energy sources is both technically and economically complex. As a result, integrated energy supply concepts are gaining importance: How can waste heat … Weiterlesen …
High-temperature processes face a complex challenge: emissions need to be reduced while maintaining process reliability, product quality and economic viability. Plant operators are therefore looking at both the modernization of existing systems and new kiln concepts. Kiln design, refractory linings, energy supply and process control are closely interconnected. Decisions on retrofits or new installations have … Weiterlesen …
Resource and material efficiency are becoming increasingly important in high-temperature industries. Raw material prices, environmental requirements and the need to reduce CO₂ emissions are increasing the pressure to keep valuable materials in circulation for longer. Refractory materials offer significant potential in this regard. According to estimates by TU Bergakademie Freiberg, up to 28 million tonnes … Weiterlesen …
U. S. Steel announced in September the successful return to service of Blast Furnace #14 at Gary Works following completion of a USD 350 million reline project. The project required more than 1 million labor hours from employees and contractors and was completed with a Zero Days Away Injury Rate. The achievement reflects the commitment, … Weiterlesen …
Holcim/CH has launched a new calcined clay production line at its Čížkovice plant, the first of its kind in the Czech Republic. The facility will enable the supply of 580 000 t of ECOPlanet low-carbon cement to customers every year. With an annual capacity of more than 115 000 t of calcined clay – sourced … Weiterlesen …
The Refratechnik Group/DE has officially finalized an agreement to sell the stake in the mining and processing operations in Guozheng, China. Refratechnik’s entry into the Chinese mining and raw material processing sector was driven by a clear strategic goal: securing direct access to raw materials at the source. The objective was to stabilize pricing and … Weiterlesen …
The restarting of Tronox Holdings’s furnace and the plans to bring production back online at its Namakwa Sands mine in Saldanha, South Africa, comes as long-term demand for zircon strengthens. The move follows the group’s November 2025 announcement that it would temporarily idle one furnace in Saldanha and initiate a temporary shutdown of its West … Weiterlesen …
On September 14, Minister of Economic Affairs Jonathan Reynolds announced that the government will work toward the public acquisition of Speciality Steel UK (SSUK). The company’s sites support over 1300 jobs in Rotherham, Stocksbridge, Brinsworth and Wednesbury and have a proud steelmaking history, including the use of electric arc furnace technology. The sites could play … Weiterlesen …
Silica fume is widely used in refractory castables, but variations in quality, consistency, and availability can create challenges for manufacturers. Changes in silica fume characteristics may affect processing behavior, setting performance, and production consistency, requiring additional adjustments throughout the manufacturing process. To address these challenges, Almatis has developed the Fume Master, F-ADS/W, a new dispersing … Weiterlesen …
The Forschungsgemeinschaft Feuerfest e. V. (FGF) is launching its first “Interlaboratory Study (ILS)” for refractory products, with “Cold Crushing Strength (CCS)” selected as the first testing method. The new programme aims to improve the comparability, accuracy and reliability of refractory testing across different laboratories. Participants will receive homogeneous refractory brick samples prepared and distributed centrally … Weiterlesen …