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What impact does the move toward chromium-free refractories have on magnesia-chrome bricks?

Release Date:

2022-05-20 17:11

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Originating from the internet

Hexavalent chromium primarily originates from industrial processes such as chromium ore smelting, refractory manufacturing, electroplating, leather tanning, pigment production, and chemical synthesis, as well as from chromium‑containing exhaust gases, wastewater, and solid waste generated by fuel combustion. Hexavalent chromium is not biodegradable in the environment; it contaminates soil and groundwater, is readily absorbed by the human body, and can accumulate in tissues via ingestion, inhalation, skin contact, and mucosal exposure. It has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a potent carcinogen. Consequently, hexavalent chromium pollution has attracted global attention. At present, the main sources of hexavalent chromium in cement are fourfold: raw and fuel materials, crushing and grinding equipment, magnesia–chromium bricks, and industrial waste residues. Among these, the raw materials and…

Hexavalent chromium primarily originates from industrial processes such as chromium ore smelting, refractory manufacturing, electroplating, leather tanning, pigment production, and chemical synthesis, as well as from chromium‑containing exhaust gases, wastewater, and solid waste generated by fuel combustion. In the environment, hexavalent chromium is not biodegradable; it contaminates soil and groundwater, is readily absorbed by the human body, and can accumulate in tissues via ingestion, inhalation, and dermal or mucosal exposure. It has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a potent carcinogen. Consequently, hexavalent chromium pollution has attracted widespread global attention.

At present, the sources of hexavalent chromium in cement can be broadly categorized into four: raw and fuel materials, crushing and grinding equipment, magnesia–chromium refractories, and industrial waste residues. Among these, the influence of raw materials and crushing equipment is relatively minor, while chromium‑containing industrial waste residues are easier to manage. Consequently, chromium‑bearing refractory materials used in the clinker‑burning system have become the primary source of hexavalent chromium contamination in cement.

Recent surveys reveal that, compared with a decade ago, the number of domestic manufacturers producing magnesia-chrome bricks has declined significantly. According to data from the Refractory Window, the remaining producers are now concentrated primarily in Liaoning Province and Henan Province.

More enterprises are also undergoing transformation. Refractory manufacturers and research institutions are driving technological innovation, intensifying R&D on chromium-free refractories, and accelerating the development of environmentally friendly refractory materials to meet the nation’s new environmental protection standards. At the same time, they are working to reduce material costs, ensuring that these products outperform existing magnesia-chrome bricks in both performance and cost-effectiveness, thereby replacing magnesia-chrome bricks through market‑driven approaches.

At present, the main products intended to replace magnesia–chromite bricks include chromium-free refractories such as magnesia–ferrospinel bricks, magnesia–alumina spinel bricks, magnesia–zirconia bricks, and dolomite bricks.

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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…

What impact does the move toward chromium-free refractories have on magnesia-chrome bricks?

Hexavalent chromium primarily originates from industrial processes such as chromium ore smelting, refractory manufacturing, electroplating, leather tanning, pigment production, and chemical synthesis, as well as from chromium‑containing exhaust gases, wastewater, and solid waste generated by fuel combustion. Hexavalent chromium is not biodegradable in the environment; it contaminates soil and groundwater, is readily absorbed by the human body, and can accumulate in tissues via ingestion, inhalation, skin contact, and mucosal exposure. It has been classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as a potent carcinogen. Consequently, hexavalent chromium pollution has attracted global attention. At present, the main sources of hexavalent chromium in cement are fourfold: raw and fuel materials, crushing and grinding equipment, magnesia–chromium bricks, and industrial waste residues. Among these, the raw materials and…

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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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