Refwin Trade Fair on Functional Refractories held successfully in Shandong 2025-03-22

Mar. 22, 2025 - Refwin Trade Fair on Functional Refractories was successfully held in Qisheng International Hotel, Zibo City, Shandong Province, China during Mar. 20-21, 2025, which brought together over 100 exhibitors and more than 1,500 visitors of relevant refractory raw materials, products, equipment and downstream users of functional refractories from China nationwide and overse…

EU funds 14 cement decarbonisation projects 2025-03-13

Mar. 13, 2025 - 77 decarbonisation projects (including 14 for the cement sector) have signed grant agreements under the Innovation Fund 2023 Call (IF23), following the announcement of results in October 2024. The cement projects, spanning nine European countries, will begin operations between 2025 and 2029. The funding, sourced from the EU Emissions Trading System, provides grant…

Haicheng launches key projects to drive magnesia industry transformation 2025-03-12

Mar. 12, 2025 - On March 11, the groundbreaking ceremony for the light-burned reverberatory furnace capacity replacement project and the Haicheng Fupeng New Materials Project was held in Pailou Town, Haicheng City, Liaoning Province. The ceremony was attended by Haicheng Municipal Party Secretary Lu Jianyuan and Mayor Yang Ye. Lu Jianyuan emphasized that the magnesia industry is …

EU exported €77.8 billion worth of iron and steel in 2024 2025-03-12

Mar. 12, 2025 - In 2024, the EU exported iron and steel and related articles worth €77.8 billion and imported €73.1 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of €4.7 billion. Compared with 2019, there was a substantial increase in the trade of these products: exports rose by 15.2% (+€10.3 billion), and imports increased by 23.7% (+€14.0 billion). These monetary increases occurred despite a d…

Liaoning Province unveils 2025 blueprint for high-quality development in th… 2025-03-04

Mar. 4, 2025 - On March 3, the Liaoning Provincial Leading Group Office for High-Quality Development of the Magnesia Industry issued the "2025 Work Points for High-Quality Development of the Magnesia Industry" to its member units. This comprehensive document, comprising five sections and 20 articles, outlines strategic measures aimed at ensuring resource supply, reducing production capacity, …

Update on the impact of Liaoning’s electricity tariff revision 2025-03-04

Mar. 4, 2025 - The development of the electricity spot market in Liaoning Province is progressing steadily. Unfortunately, the official policy document has not been found on the government website. Most fused magnesia (FM) enterprises raised their prices in February, with increases ranging from 200 to 500 yuan per ton. A few companies are still evaluating the situation due to unc…

Refwin Trade Fair on Aluminosillicate Refractories held successfully in Sha… 2025-03-03

Mar. 3, 2025 - Hosted by Shanxi Provincial Refractories Association, Hebei Provincial Refractories Association, Yangquan Municipal Refractories Association, sponsored by Jinan Shengquan Group Share-Holding Co., Ltd. and Shanxi Yu County Xixiaoping Refractory Materials Co., Ltd., supported by Association of China Refractories Industry (ACRI), Yangquan City Industry and infor…

Global crude steel production down 4.4% YoY in January 2025 2025-02-26

Feb. 25, 2025 - World crude steel production for the 69 countries reporting to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 151.4 million tonnes (Mt) in January, a 4.4% decrease compared to January 2024.     Crude steel production by region  Africa produced 1.9 Mt in January 2025, down 3.5% on January 2024. Asia and Oceania produced 112.3 Mt, down 4.5%. T…

Australia launches $636M green iron fund, offers lifeline to steel works 2025-02-24

Feb. 21, 2025- Australia allocated A$1 billion ($636 million) to a fund that will support the manufacture of green iron and its supply chains, including an initial A$500 million to bail out the Whyalla steelworks in South Australia.  Whyalla Steelworks On 19th Feb, South Australia’s premier put Whyalla, one of the country’s two steel plants, into a…

EU warns of counteraction against Trump’s new aluminium and steel tariffs 2025-02-11

Feb. 10, 2025 - In response to the new aluminium and steel tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump, just days after postponing tariffs on North American neighbours, the European Commission is committed to taking action to protect the interests of the European Union. Describing Trump's tariff measures as unjustified and meaningless,, the European Commission said, "We will rea…

Germany produced over 1.1 million tons of refractories in 2024 2025-02-08

Feb. 6, 2025 - With a production of over 1.1 million tons, Germany covers nearly a third of Europe's refractory production. Around 70% of these materials are exported – a testament to the highest quality and worldwide trust. Refractories also makes a key contribution with innovative solutions used in a wide range of high-temperature processes, ensuring maximum efficiency and safety. Throu…

Ghana's bauxite bonanza: missing out on a titanium treasure trove 2025-02-08

Feb. 8, 2025 - Ghana sits on a significant wealth of bauxite, the primary ore of aluminum. Large deposits are located in the Atiwa Forest (Eastern Region), Nyinahin (Ashanti Region), and Awaso (Western North Region), with Awaso boasting of the longest operational history, dating back to Ghana's independence. While this bauxite represents a considerable asset, Ghana is potentially missing ou…

South Korean steel industry on edge as Trump revives tariff plans 2025-02-07

Feb. 6, 2025 - U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Jan. 6, “If I hadn’t imposed massive steel tariffs, there wouldn’t be a single steel plant left in America.” Later, on Jan. 31, he announced plans to impose tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper, emphasizing the need to protect these industries. As Trump reiterates plans to impose steel tariffs, concerns are mounting within South Ko…

Chrome train derailment in Mozambique shuts Ressano Garcia line 2025-02-07

Feb. 6, 2025 - Rail traffic on Mozambique’s Ressano Garcia line in Maputo province came to a standstill this week following the derailment of a train in the Chinculo area. According to the local police in Maputo province, the freight train, which was transporting chrome ore, was travelling from Ressano Garcia to Maputo with 50 wagons, six of which derailed on Sunday, blocking the line. …

EUROFER downgrades EU apparent steel consumption expectations in 2025 2025-02-07

Feb. 6, 2025 - The European Steel Association EUROFER has revised its forecast for apparent steel consumption in the EU in 2025, lowering the expected growth to +2.2% from the previous +3.8%. This reflects the ongoing difficulties in the sector amid global economic uncertainty, high energy costs and rising imports. According to EUROFER’s latest forecast, the recession in Europe’s appar…