In 2022, the development of China's refractory industry will continue to grow steadily

From January to March, the export volume and export price of refractory materials increased. The European energy shortage caused by the Russian-Ukrainian war is the main reason for the significant increase in the export of refractory materials, especially refractory raw materials.

According to the statistics of China Refractory Industry Association, the output of national key refractory enterprises in April fell by about 5% year-on-year, and the cumulative decline from January to April was about 10%. However, the total output base of refractory products enterprises is still at a high level.

In the first quarter, the market price of bulk refractory raw materials rose on an average year-on-year basis, and due to the impact of epidemic prevention and control, the main refractory material producing areas such as Liaoning, Shanxi, Henan, Shandong, and the Yangtze River Delta experienced poor transportation and increased logistics costs. The bauxite market is running strongly, The product has risen to a certain extent, and the supply of high-grade products is tight. Due to the rising bauxite price and the high LNG price, the domestic high-alumina brick market has shown a trend of stability and strength, and rising energy and logistics costs have brought cost pressures increasingly obvious.

In May, the epidemic in Yingkou, Liaoning Province was brought under control, the market price of magnesia was basically stable, and the logistics aspect was also eased. After the price of graphite rose due to tight supply, the market stabilized due to the increase in supply. The corundum market was generally weak, and the production of brown corundum was relatively weak. The cost is high, but the demand is weak, the inventory increases, and the market price of sintered corundum and white corundum is slightly lowered. Silicon carbide manufacturers have started construction in March, and the market price is basically stable.

According to the statistics of China Refractory Industry Association, the price changes of raw materials for main refractories in May 2022 are as follows: 98 ordinary fused magnesia rose 17.8% year-on-year, 85 bauxite rose 10.3% year-on-year, 95 brown corundum rose 24.4% year-on-year, White corundum rose 19% year-on-year, 200-mesh silicon carbide rose 54.7% year-on-year, and flake graphite rose 57.8%.