Refractories Worldforum - Hot Topics 4/2019
8th International Symposium on Refractories (ISR 2020) – Call for Papers
The 8th International Symposium on Refractories (ISR 2020), co-sponsored by the Chinese Ceramic Society (CCS) and the Chinese Society for Metals (CSM), will be held on 16–18 October 2020 in Wuhan/CN, co-organized by CCS’s Refractories Branch and Wuhan University of Science and Technology (WUST). ISR is held once every four years and it has by so far been successfully held 7 times. The topics for ISR 2020 are “Innovation, Green and Development.”
RHI Magnesita Acquired a Plant from Manishri in India
“The purchased plant fits in with our short-term and mid-term growth strategy in India. The plant will produce magnesia carbon brick, where there is huge potential in the Indian market and to date we have had no local supply source. This acquisition will help us to reach those segments and further expand our footprint in India,” said Parmod Sagar, CEO of Indian operations at RHI Magnesita. Orient Refractories Ltd., the publicly listed Indian subsidiary of RHI Magnesita, signed an asset purchase agreement with Manishri for one plant along with land, machines, and equipment at a value of EUR 5,5 million.
Asia Ex-China’s Emerging Markets Drive Global Cement Capacity through 2024
World cement capacity is projected to touch 5,8 Mt by 2024, according to the CW Research’s 2H 2019 update of the Global Cement Volume Forecast Report. In 2019 alone, Asia ex-China is forecast to account for over 40 % of all capacity additions. “China, with its capacity rationalization efforts that aim to accommodate fewer, yet more modern and efficient, production facilities, is witnessing its contribution to global cement capacity being balanced with additions from India and smaller regional players, such as Bangladesh and Vietnam, which are taking over the role of driving capacity growth” observes Carolina Pereira, Business Analyst at the CW Group.
Germany: Steel Meets Refractory
Steelworks and refractories producers rated the first industry dialogue in Koblenz/DE as a complete success. Every third steelworks, a large part of the refractories industry supplying the steel industry as well as various research institutes had taken up the invitation of the Ministry of Economic Affairs of the German State of Rhineland Palatinate to revitalize the dialogue between the steel and refractories industries. The event was held in cooperation with the Association of the German Refractories Industry (VDFFI), the European Centre for Refractories (ECREF), and the VDFFI Chairman. Thomas Seger, RHI Magnesita, was able to welcome 40 company and institute representatives in the Rhine-Mosel Hall in Koblenz.
USA: Alcoa Corporation Announces New Operating Model
Alcoa Corporation a global leader in bauxite, alumina, and aluminum products, announced that, effective 1 November 2019, it will implement a new operating model that will result in a leaner, more integrated, operator-centric organization that accelerates the company’s strategic priorities. Alcoa will eliminate its business unit structure and consolidate sales, procurement and other commercial capabilities at an enterprise level. Under the new operating model, the Alcoa Executive Team will also be streamlined from 12 to 7 direct reports to the Chief Executive Officer. The new structure will reduce overhead, promote operational and commercial excellence, increase connectivity between the company’s plants and leadership, ensure a continued focus on safety as our highest priority, and position Alcoa for sustainable profitability.
RATH has Taken Over the Production Facility for Refractory Materials for the Container Glass Industry of Bucher Emhart in Owensville/US
Bucher Emhart Glass/CH is convinced that this strategic step is beneficial for all parties involved. RATH/AT will take over all the employees in Bucher Emhart Glass’s production and Research site in Owensville/US, who will gain from the expanded development possibilities within the RATH Group, the specialist for heat-resistant technologies and refractory materials. The specialists from both businesses will profit from synergies in product development as well as production. In addition, customers will benefit from the strengthened business, as there are no actual changes with the RATH Group taking over and continuing the complete production facility as well as the product portfolio. Closing of this deal was 30 August 2019.
Refractory Material Market Insights 2019
Refractory Material Market Insights 2019, Global and Chinese Scenario, is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the global refractory material industry with a focus on the Chinese market. The report provides key statistics on the market status of the refractory material manufacturers and is a valuable source of guidance and direction for companies and individuals interested in the industry. Overall, the report provides an in-depth insight of 2014–2024 global and Chinese refractory material market covering all important parameters.
Germany: Steuler Makes Investment in the Future at Höhr-Grenzhausen
A state-of-the-art, high-performance tunnel kiln is set to go into operation here in the 2nd quarter of next year that will create new jobs and increase the production capacity in Höhr-Grenzhausen/DE by around 8000 t yearly. In future, Steuler's Höhr-Grenzhausen and Breitscheid factories will have kiln capacities for manufacturing special refractory and acid-resistant bricks totaling yearly 50 000 t at their disposal. The infrastructure is also being upgraded to cope with the larger kiln capacity – the preparation areas, presses, warehouses and packing lines in Höhr-Grenzhausen have to be completely refurbished and brought up to date.
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