Steel meets Refractory – The 12th event was a great success with 56 partici… 2026-04-21

Apr. 17, 2026 - At the 12th Steel meets Refractory (SMR) industry dialogue, 56 technology experts from the steel and refractory industries first met at the Ceramics Museum in Höhr-Grenzhausen. A factory tour took place the following day at Refratechnik in Bendorf. The eleven presentations and intensive discussions once again demonstrated the future of this format for technical exchange …

Global refractories market scale and its significance in keeping the world … 2026-04-20

Apr. 20, 2026 - Global production of refractory materials is a direct indicator of industrial vitality. It is estimated that the total annual volume is around 37 million tons, distributed among hundreds of specialized industrial plants. These materials are essential to sustain high‑temperature processes in sectors such as steel, cement, glass, ceramics, petrochemicals, and non‑ferrous met…

China's production of fused alumina boosted 16.86% YoY in 2025 2026-04-16

Apr. 16, 2026 - In 2025, China's production of brown fused alumina (BFA) and white fused alumina (WFA) saw significant growth.  According to incomplete statistics from the Abrasives and Grinding Tools Branch of the China Machine Tool & Tool Builders' Association, China's output of BFA and WFA in 2025 totalled 2.01 million tons, an increase of 290,000 tons …

A 400,000 tpy green fused magnesia project broke ground in Inner Mongolia, … 2026-04-15

Apr. 14, 2026 - The groundbreaking ceremony for a 400,000-ton-per-year "green" fused magnesia project was held in Kulun Qi, Tongliao, Inner Mongolia, China on April 10th, 2026. Mr Bi Shengmin, Chairman of Donghe New Materials Group, Mr Lei Ming, President of Liaoning Hezhan Energy Group Co., Ltd., and leaders from Kulun Qi, including Mr Zhou Liangyuan, Ms Wang Guilan, Mr Bai Qingshan, Mr…

Cameroon bauxite project production launches with premium-grade ore 2026-04-15

Apr. 15, 2026 - The global mining landscape faces unprecedented transformation as emerging producers challenge established market hierarchies. West Africa's mineral wealth has traditionally flowed through predictable channels, yet shifting geopolitical landscapes and infrastructure developments are reshaping century-old trade patterns. The aluminum value chain, stretching from bauxite extra…

South Africa’s mining production surges 9.7% in February 2026 2026-04-14

Apr. 14, 2026 - Mining production in South Africa surged by 9.7% year-on-year in February 2026, following an upwardly revised 5% rise in the prior month. This marked the strongest pace of growth in mining activity since February 2024, mainly driven by favorable base effects from a weak comparison base. Notable increases were seen for PGMs (+52.3%); chromium ore (+26.9%) manganese o…

“Energy security is essential for keeping industries running”: Parmod Sagar… 2026-04-14

Apr. 14, 2026 - Across India’s core industrial sectors, energy reliability and fuel security have become pressing concerns as industries such as steel, cement, glass, and refractories continue to face supply-side disruptions. LPG, a key industrial fuel, is critical for maintaining stable thermal conditions and ensuring product quality in high-temperature processes. Any instability in its sup…

Nepal's mineral-based industries contribute NPR 2.14 billion in revenue 2026-04-13

Apr. 11, 2026 - The mineral-based industries of Nepal have contributed NPR 2.14 billion in revenue. This amount covers the previous fiscal year and the first eight months of the current fiscal year. According to the Department of Mines and Geology, this revenue was collected from mining permits and license renewals for mineral products such as limestone, red clay, metals, and stones. In…

Egypt temporarily lists six state owned companies for IPO 2026-04-13

Apr. 13, 2026 - Egypt has temporarily listed six state-owned companies on the Egyptian Exchange (EGX), a move aimed at accelerating the government’s initial public offering (IPO) programme and increasing private sector participation in the economy. The listings include two subsidiaries of the Chemical Industries Holding Company: El Nahda Industries Company – El Nahda Cement Plant an…

China nonferrous metals industry sees strong profit growth in Jan–Feb 2026 2026-04-13

Apr. 13, 2026 - According to the statistics, China’s nonferrous metals industry recorded robust growth in both revenue and profitability during the first two months of 2026. From January to February, 12,306 above-scale nonferrous metals enterprises generated a total profit of RMB 123.16 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 133.5% (on a comparable basis). Among them, …

World Refractories Association Board Meeting held successfully in Munich, G… 2026-04-11

Apr. 11, 2026 - The Board of Directors of the World Refractory Materials Association (WRA) met at Refratechnik’s headquarters in Munich, Germany last week for one of its two yearly meetings. The Borad reviewed the ongoing work of its committees in safety, technical coordination, communication, and environmental priorities. The safety data shows stead…

Egypt lists cement assets ahead of IPO programme 2026-04-11

Apr. 9, 2026 - Egypt has temporarily listed a number of state-owned companies on the Egyptian Exchange (EGX), including cement-related assets, as part of efforts to advance its privatisation and IPO programme. Among the companies listed are El Nahda Industries Company – which operates the Qena cement plant – and the Egyptian Company for Pipes and Cement Products (Seigwart), both sub…

Australia's cement industry turns to green alternatives as manufacturing co… 2026-04-10

Apr. 9, 2026 - Australia’s cement market may be experiencing some interesting times but it is rapidly transitioning towards low-carbon solutions, with Port Augusta poised to become a national hub for green cement and increasing calls for a cross-border carbon adjustment mechanism to be introduced.  Like most economies in the world, the closure of the Straits of Hormuz and warfare b…

Flake graphite from Madagascar finds its home in Maoming, Guangdong 2026-04-10

Apr. 8, 2026 - A signing ceremony is held in Maoming, Guangdong Province, China today, for a cooperation framework agreement on a 1 million-ton natural graphite deep processing project. This project is jointly promoted by the Maoming Binhai New Area Management Committee, Donghua Energy Co., Ltd., and Huakuang Industrial Investment Group Co., Ltd., aiming to create a new graphite indust…

Odisha CM launches 36 industrial projects worth Rs 40,811 crore 2026-04-09

Apr. 9, 2026 - Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 36 industrial projects with a combined investment of `40,811 crore, at Bhuinpur near Begunia in Khurda district. The projects spanning green energy equipment, metals and downstream industries, textiles, plastics, tourism, food processing, defence manufacturing, IT, automobiles and cem…