Top 10 Companies in the Unshaped Refractory Material Market (2025): Industry Leaders Powering High-Temperature Operations

In Business Insights
November 02, 2025


The Global Unshaped Refractory Material Market was valued at USD 25.8 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 34.2 Billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.2% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This growth is being driven by expanding steel production, infrastructure development in emerging economies, and increasing demand from cement and glass manufacturing sectors.

As global industrial and manufacturing activities intensify, the demand for high-performance refractories continues to accelerate. These materials form the foundation of high-temperature processes across numerous industries, ensuring operational efficiency, thermal insulation, and structural integrity. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Unshaped Refractory Material Industry—a mix of global material science leaders, regional specialists, and innovation pioneers shaping industrial operations worldwide.


🔟 1. RHI Magnesita

Headquarters: Vienna, Austria
Key Offering: Monolithics, castables, gunning mixes, plastic refractories

RHI Magnesita stands as the global market leader in refractory solutions, offering a comprehensive portfolio of unshaped refractories engineered for extreme temperature applications. Their products serve steel plants, cement kilns, and non-ferrous metal production facilities across more than 40 countries. The company has established itself through strategic acquisitions and continuous innovation in refractory technology.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of eco-friendly low-carbon refractories

  • Recycling programs for used refractory materials

  • Commitment to carbon-neutral operations by 2040

Download FREE Sample Report: Unshaped Refractory Material Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Vesuvius plc

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Fused silica castables, low-cement castables, plastic refractories

Vesuvius specializes in high-performance refractory solutions for the steel and foundry industries. Their unshaped refractory products include advanced monolithic linings and sophisticated gunning solutions that enhance operational longevity in high-wear applications.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Carbon reduction targets across manufacturing operations

  • Development of innovative refractory recycling technologies


8️⃣ 3. Krosaki Harima Corporation

Headquarters: Kitakyushu, Japan
Key Offering: Castables, plastics, ramming mixes

Krosaki Harima has established a formidable presence in the Asian refractory market with specialized unshaped products for steelmaking, cement, and glass industries.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Energy-efficient refractory manufacturing processes

  • Research into nanotechnology-enhanced refractory materials

Download FREE Sample Report: Unshaped Refractory Material Market – View in Detailed Research Report


7️⃣ 4. Shinagawa Refractories Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Specialized castables, gunning mixes, ramming compounds

Shinagawa Refractories maintains a strong position in the global market with advanced unshaped refractory solutions for various high-temperature industrial processes, including steel production and petrochemical applications.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Implementation of closed-loop water systems in manufacturing

  • Development of recyclable refractory formulations


6️⃣ 5. Calderys (Imerys Group)

Headquarters: Paris, France
Key Offering: High-alumina castables, insulating castables, phosphate-bonded plastics

Calderys, part of the Imerys Group, offers comprehensive unshaped refractory solutions with particular strength in the iron and steel industry and cement production sectors.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Global sustainability certification for multiple manufacturing plants

  • Investment in refractory material life-cycle extension technologies


5️⃣ 6. HarbisonWalker International (HWI)

Headquarters: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: Monolithics, castables, gunning and patching materials

HWI maintains North American market leadership with extensive expertise in unshaped refractory development and application engineering.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Advanced refractory recycling and reclamation programs

  • Development of zero-waste refractory installation methodologies


4️⃣ 7. Morgan Advanced Materials

Headquarters: Windsor, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Specialized monolithic refractories, castables, and ramming mixes

Morgan Advanced Materials provides high-performance unshaped refractory solutions with particular emphasis on thermal management and energy efficiency in industrial processes.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Carbon capture technology integration in manufacturing processes

  • Research into next-generation refractory materials with reduced environmental impact

Download FREE Sample Report: Unshaped Refractory Material Market – View in Detailed Research Report


3️⃣ 8. Refratechnik Group

Headquarters: Düsseldorf, Germany
Key Offering: Advanced castables, low-cement formulations, gunning mixes

Refratechnik Group has established a strong presence in European and Asian markets with specialized unshaped refractory products for steel, cement, and non-ferrous metal industries.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Implementation of energy recovery systems in manufacturing

  • Development of bio-based binder systems for refractory applications


2️⃣ 9. Puyang Refractories Group Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Puyang, Henan, China
Key Offering: Alumina-silica castables, plastic refractories, ramming materials

Puyang Refractories Group has rapidly expanded its global footprint, becoming one of China’s leading refractory exporters with comprehensive unshaped refractory solutions.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Investment in cleaner production technologies

  • Research into sustainable refractory raw material alternatives


1️⃣ 10. Magnesita Refractários S.A.

Headquarters: Contagem, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Key Offering: Basic castables, high-alumina monolithics, specialty plastics

Magnesita Refractários has established itself as a key player in South American and global refractory markets with advanced unshaped refractory products.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Implementation of comprehensive water management systems

  • Development of refractories optimized for alternative fuel combustion

Get Full Report Here: Unshaped Refractory Material Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Unshaped Refractory Materials Is Smarter and More Sustainable

The unshaped refractory material market is evolving rapidly. While traditional formulations continue to dominate application volumes, the industry is accelerating investment in environmentally friendly alternatives, advanced material science, and digital installation technologies.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Rising adoption of low-cement and ultra-low cement castables

  • Growing demand for monolithic refractory solutions from emerging economies

  • Digitalization of refractory installation and maintenance processes

  • Increased focus on refractory recycling and circular economy principles

Get Full Report Here: Unshaped Refractory Material Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only enabling industrial operations—they’re pioneering the next generation of high-temperature material solutions.