The demand for refractory materials in India is rapidly rising due to the strong industrial development of the country and the growing need of sectors. Refractories which are used in situations where high temperature and corrosive atmosphere is likely to prevail are used in steel, cement, glass and non-ferrous metal industries. The steel industry is by far the largest consumer since refractories are used for furnace lining, ladles, and other crucial parts that are necessary in operations and output. This demand is further supported by the government’s emphasis on infrastructure creation as well as enhancing the capacity of the existing steel plants through new plant establishments.
Secondly, cement industry is another major sector which is expanding today because of the urbanization and housing sector which in turn is fueling the refractory market. Ceramics are necessary in cement kilns and other high-temperature applications, which means that the overall demand for refractories is directly related to the industry’s output. There is also an improvement in the technological aspect as well as innovations in the Indian refractory materials market. Newer generation efficient refractory products are being produced to meet the increased need for thermal insulation and longer durability of the products. The third parameter for market growth is the aspect of exports that has also been improving steadily. In India, the refractory manufacturers are gradually venturing into the global markets due to their ability to offer cheaper products and enhanced quality. In the current issue, we introduce you to the top companies in this segment. In this issue, Industry Outlook has identified the select few companies that have done particularly well in this industry with a high level of dedication. We have found that these companies have gone the extra mile in proving their commitment to meet the customer needs in an integrated manner. We welcome your feedbacks and suggestion that you may have concerning this special issue.