Refractory materials are used in various sectors of the national economy, including steel, non-ferrous metals, glass, cement, ceramics, petrochemicals, machinery, boilers, light industry, power, and military industries. They are essential basic materials for ensuring the production, operation, and technological development of these industries, playing an irreplaceable role in high-temperature industrial production.
Since 2001, driven by the rapid development of high-temperature industries such as steel, non-ferrous metals, petrochemicals, and building materials, the refractory materials industry has maintained a strong growth momentum, becoming a major global producer and exporter of refractory materials. In 2011, China's refractory material output accounted for approximately 65% of the global total, maintaining its position as the world's largest producer and seller of refractory materials.
From 2001 to 2010, the output of refractory raw materials and products steadily increased, reaching approximately double the 2001 level by the end of the 10th Five-Year Plan period. In 2010, the national output of refractory products reached 28.0806 million tons, approximately three times that at the end of the 10th Five-Year Plan period. As of 2011, China's refractory materials industry had 1,917 enterprises above designated size, employing over 300,000 people, achieving sales revenue of 337.679 billion yuan and product sales profits of 47.737 billion yuan.
However, due to disorderly mining, low processing technology, and low resource utilization levels, waste is quite serious. The aforementioned mineral resources, especially high-grade refractory raw materials, are becoming increasingly scarce. Conserving and comprehensively utilizing resources has become an urgent priority.
The development of the refractory materials industry is closely related to the reserves of domestic mineral resources. Bauxite, magnesite, and graphite are the three major refractory raw materials. China is one of the world's three largest exporters of bauxite, has the world's largest reserves of magnesite, and is also a major exporter of graphite. These abundant resources have supported the rapid development of China's refractory materials industry over the past decade.
