Refractories Eye Bauxite Substitutes

Already reeling from a huge drop in demand from the iron, steel and cement industries, refractory producers are now facing a further squeeze on profit margins from rising prices for the key refractory raw material bauxite. Indications that China will increase prices for non-metallurgical (non-met) bauxite, for which it holds 95% of the market, will not come as good news for refractory producers.