Refractory industry grows 21% despite steel downturn

the capacity utilisation of the industry was 65 per cent Addressing the annual general meeting of the Indian Refractory Makers Association here, Mr A. K. Chattopadhyay, Chairman, said that the capacity utilisation of the industry was 65 per cent.

In 2009-10, the import of refractories was down 11 per cent to Rs 1,277 crore (Rs 1,421 crore). This was largely due to drop in the imports of fireclay and high alumina bricks mostly under OEM (original equipment manufacturer) contracts. But, then, the exports during the period also declined to Rs 446 crore (Rs 519 crore), mainly due to the meltdown in European and the American markets, he said.

Crude steel production in 2010-11, he said, was expected to rise to 72 million tonnes despite the slide in the first quarter. In 2009-10, the crude steel production was 64.88 mt (58.43 mt). Out of total production of 64.88 mt in 2009-10, 29.33 mt was produced through the oxygen route, another 15.69 mt through the EAF route, and the balance through the induction furnace route, he pointed out.