Resumen de Chinese Refractory Association meeting reveals gulf in struggling industry
[Ronghe Qiu] noted that although magnesia calcination plants can be upgraded to use cleaner, more efficient two-stage gas generators, deadburned magnesia (DBM) production requires higher temperatures, which this type of gas generator cannot provide. Therefore, scope for improving the industry's environmental record is limited until new technology is developed.
Ronglin Wang, general manager of Liaoning Forging Machines Co. Ltd, said that his company's orders have dropped by more than 50% in the last year, owing to the declining demand for magnesia products in the refractories industry.
According to [Enliang Yang], the price of medium grade magnesia should be around Rmb 1,050/tonne ($162/tonne), while high grade material should sell for Rmb 1,600/tonne ($247/tonne). However, in the market these products are being offered for just Rmb 950/tonne ($147/tonne) and Rmb 1,400/tonne ($216/tonne), respectively.
