Henan Province Advances the Green Development Plan for the Refractory Materials Industry and Other Sectors


On March 6, a working symposium organized by the Provincial Building Materials Association and attended by presidents and secretaries-general of provincial associations representing industries such as circular economy and energy conservation, iron and steel, nonferrous metals, chemicals, casting and forging, refractories, automobiles, apparel, textiles, plastics, and wires and cables was held in Zhengzhou. The meeting focused on the national macro policies promoting green and low‑carbon development, energy conservation, and emissions reduction, as well as the in-depth implementation of Henan Province’s “Ten Thousand People Assist Ten Thousand Enterprises” initiative. Each association briefly outlined the distinctive features of its respective sector, shared updates on ongoing work, and engaged in an in-depth discussion on the potential for cross‑industry collaboration to advance solid waste utilization, energy conservation and emissions reduction, and the realization of a circular economy. Given the frequent upstream–downstream industrial linkages among these associations, it was recommended that the Provincial Circular Economy and Energy Conservation…

On March 6, a working symposium organized by the Provincial Building Materials Association and attended by the presidents and secretaries-general of provincial associations representing the circular economy and energy conservation, steel, nonferrous metals, chemical engineering, casting and forging, refractory materials, automotive, apparel, textiles, plastics, and wire and cable industries was held in Zhengzhou.

The meeting focused on the national macro policies promoting green and low‑carbon development, energy conservation, and emissions reduction, as well as the in‑depth implementation of Henan Province’s “Ten Thousand People Assist Ten Thousand Enterprises” initiative. Each association briefly outlined the distinctive features of its respective sector, shared updates on ongoing work, and engaged in a detailed discussion on the potential for cross‑sector collaboration to advance solid waste utilization, energy efficiency and emissions reduction, and the transition to a circular economy. Given the extensive upstream–downstream industrial linkages among the associations, it was recommended that the Provincial Circular Economy and Energy Conservation Association serve as a coordinating platform to strengthen exchanges and cooperation, thereby fostering green, high‑quality development across all industries.

General Manager Ding Jifeng of Tianrui Cement Group attended the meeting and outlined the adverse impacts of rising coal prices and increasing electricity tariffs on Tianrui Cement’s production. In light of these challenges, he expressed keen interest in a new energy‑saving technical solution for refractory linings used in cement kilns and pledged his support.

Refractory materials are indispensable foundational components for high‑temperature industrial kilns, and advances in new materials, technologies, and solutions will play a crucial role in enhancing energy efficiency and reducing consumption in kiln linings. Refractories serve as both suppliers of energy‑saving materials to industries such as steel, nonferrous metals, chemicals, casting and forging, and automotive manufacturing, and as consumers in sectors like plastics, wires, and cables. Moreover, the refractory industry’s use of environmentally friendly dust‑filtration materials and carbon‑dioxide capture and utilization technologies still requires support from related industries. Regarding cross‑industry information exchange, leaders of various associations stated that association activities, under the guidance of the government, will strengthen collaboration and further advance efforts in resource recycling, green and low‑carbon development, and energy conservation and emissions reduction.

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Steel production has declined, and refractory material output is likely to follow the same trend in the first quarter.

According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, in March 2022, China’s crude steel output totaled 88.295 million tons, down 6.4% year on year; for the January–March period, cumulative crude steel production reached 243.376 million tons, a decline of 10.5% compared with the same period last year. Recently, the National Development and Reform Commission and other ministries also stated that, to ensure policy continuity and stability and to consolidate gains in reducing crude steel output, nationwide efforts to cut crude steel production will continue in 2022. These measures will help achieve a year-on-year reduction in national crude steel output for 2022, guiding steel enterprises to abandon the extensive growth model focused on volume and promoting high-quality development in the steel industry. Based on crude steel production data, we can infer that refractory material output is likely to follow a downward trend as well. The main reasons are: (1) In the first quarter, overlapping environmental‑control measures during winter and spring, targeted enforcement periods, and the Lunar New Year holiday slowed the production pace of both steel and refractory manufacturers; (2) Since late February, the ongoing nationwide COVID‑19 situation, rising logistics costs, and transportation disruptions have hindered raw‑material procurement and finished‑product delivery, leading to inventory buildup for some products; and (3) Weak demand and rising production costs have kept trading activity at a subdued pace. Taking alumina—the key raw material for refractories—as an example, many alumina producers have operated at reduced capacity or with limited enthusiasm, driven by a combination of factors including higher raw‑ore prices and soaring fuel costs.

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