Fosbel acquires Wahl Refractory Solutions | Refractory Industry News

 4-Feb-2021

Fosbel has announced the acquisition of Wahl Refractory Solutions, LLC. Fosbel headquartered in the United States, has regional locations in Germany, Brazil, Japan, India and South Africa.

Wahl Refractory Solutions, Fremont, Ohio, will now conduct business under the name Wahl Refractory Solutions, a Fosbel Company.

Wahl Refractory has been a respected manufacturer and supplier to the steel, aluminium, cement, and thermo-processing industries since 1921. A recognized leader in technology for monolithic refractories and precast refractory shapes, Wahl Refractory Solutions manufactures and provides customized refractory solutions. As the innovator in the use of steel fibres in refractories, Wahl Refractory pioneered SIFCA^® (Slurry Infiltrated Fibre Castable) and has been at the forefront in design, formulation, and manufacture solutions to customers’ toughest applications.

Read - Benefits of using Steel Fibers and Organic Fibers in  Refractory Castables and other Monolithic refractories

Fosbel’s mission in providing industry specific services, engineered refractory solutions and advanced installation methods will continue with good service to its markets by leveraging its employees to implement these strategies. The integration of Fosbel and Wahl Refractory secures a future of continued growth through strengthened products and services to a broader customer base.

By making a commitment to ensure Wahl’s continuing business under the Fosbel umbrella, capital investments are being made at Wahl Refractory Solution’s manufacturing plant. Fosbel will utilize Wahl Refractory’s manufacturing and production capabilities that will result in shortened supply chains and increased inventory capacities. This will result in improved products and services for Wahl Refractory and Fosbel customers.

Fosbel has been mainly engaged in providing following industry services -

Steel and Coke Services which include: CBM-Complete Battery Maintenance, Ceramic Welding, Inspection Services, Nano Tech CW Material, Custom Design Solutions, Repair Solutions, Blast Furnace Stoves, COMIT^® Condition Monitoring;

Glass Industry Services which include: CFM (Complete Furnace Maintenance), Ceramic Welding, Inspection Services, Hot & Cold Repairs, Furnace Life Asset Management & Evaluation etc.     

Both companies Fosbel and Wahl Refractory Solutions have been providing excellent customer service and new innovations to their respective markets by delivering consistent quality with repeatable performance.

Read - Indian Refractory Manufacturers: Are They Delivering Customer Delight

Refractory Industry: Magnezit expanding its production facilities at Liaoning Dalmond Refractories, China

Magnezit Group Liaoning Dalmond Refractories

10-Aug-2014
Magnezit Group has reported the commissioning of its second line for the production of unshaped refractories at Liaoning Dalmond Refractories, its Chinese production facility. 

With the new line, Liaoning Dalmond Refractories will become the biggest of Magnezit Group’s production sites in the country capable of manufacturing the whole range of unshaped refractories as well as oxide-carbon refractory bricks required in Steel and other Non-Ferrous metallurgical plants. 

The new production line occupies an area of more than 10 000 m2 and is intended for production of unshaped refractories for thermal vessels, including refractory masses and concrete products. The production capacity of the line amounts to 1500 MT of concrete products, 10 000 MT of refractory masses, 5000 pcs. of refractory bricks for purging units. The technical plan for the line was created by the Chinese Metallurgical Research Institute, Wuhan. The total investment into the project amounted to 16 million Yuan. 

Magnezit Group owns two production facilities in the People’s Republic of China – Wuxi Nanfang Dalmond Refractories and Liaoning Dalmond Refractories. In 2010 Magnezit Group brought production capacities of Liaoning Dalmond Refractories to the planned level of 100000 MTPA.

(Source: World Cement)

Refractory Industry News: CUMI to acquire Cellaris Refractories India 100 per cent

10-Aug-2014
Murugappa Group firm Carborundum Universal Limited (CUMI) has said that the company is planning to acquire the rest of the 49% stake in its joint venture Cellaris Refractories India Ltd (CRIL), in which CUMI is currently holding 51% and Israel-based Cellaris is holding 49%. According to insider, CUMI has executed a letter of intent with Cellaris, for the purchase of 6,725,250 equity shares representing the remaining 49% of the equity capital held by Cellaris in CRIL subject to necessary approvals. The JV was set up for the production of light weight Alumina Cell for refractory / insulation application.

"Cellaris Refractories India Ltd (CRIL), currently a subsidiary will become a wholly owned subsidiary of CUMI. The change in ownership is expected to speed up scaling up at Cellaris Refractories India Ltd (CRIL) and will ensure continuity of operations and product development," said CUMI announcement to Bombay Stock exchange in the last week. Carborundum Universal Limited (CUMI) is a part of the US $3.03 billion conglomerate Murugappa Group. The group is one of India's largest family promoted, professionally managed ceramic and refractory company with 34,000 employees.

The Company pioneered the manufacture of Coated Abrasives, Bonded Abrasives and super Abrasives in India in addition to the manufacture of Super Refractories, Electro Minerals, Industrial Ceramics and Ceramic Fibers. With strategic global alliances and state- of-the-art manufacturing facilities spanning the Southern Asian region, China, Russia and Africa, CUMI has achieved a reputation for quality and innovation.

Calderys Japan acquires Japanese refractory producer Tokai Ceramics

3-Aug-2013
Calderys Refractory Solutions, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Imerys with more than 100 years experience in the refractory business and now a world leader in monolithic refractories delivering refractory solutions and products manufactured in its 18 production facilities spanning across 15 countries, is definitely enjoying an exciting time so far its growth and expansion are concerned in Asian refractory market.

In its effort of Asian expansion recently in July’13, Calderys Refractory Solutions signed a Joint Venture (JV) agreement with Indonesian refractory manufacturer PT Indoporlen [Read Article] and now acquired Japanese refractory producer Tokai Ceramics.

In Japan, where Calderys has had a sales office for more than 30 years, now after the acquisition of Japanese refractory producer Tokai Ceramics, Calderys Japan will start refractory production for the first time in that country. Tokai Ceramics was previously 100% owned by Covalent Materials, a leading Japanese ceramics group, and the company operates one production facility near Nagoya. This facility produces a complete range of monolithic refractories including castables, plastics, ramming mix and precasts (PCPF) [read articles: Types and Nomenclature of Monolithic refractories (I)  Types and Classification of Monolithic refractories (II)].

Tokai Ceramics also brings to Calderys Japan an existing customer base in Japanese Refractory market especially in the ferrous and aluminium foundry industries, as well as providing opportunities for expansion into the Electric Arc Furnace, Mini-mill and Reheating Furnace using industries.

Source: Calderys Refractory Solutions

Keywords: Calderys Refractory Solutions, Tokai Ceramics, Calderys Japan, Calderys

  Related Topics

• Ace Calderys Ltd renamed Calderys India Refractories Ltd 

• Calderys Refractory Solutions signs JV with Indonesian PT Indoporlen

RHI inaugurates the largest fusion plant for Magnesia Raw Materials

18-Nov-2012

RHI AG is a renowned name in the market, development, production and service of refractories. They are the Germany-based world leader in the field of refractories with 8100 employees and production facilities in about 32 countries and more than 100 locations around the world. Currently the total volume refractories produced by RHI AG is more than 2 million tonnes p.a. of Refractory Bricks (Refractory Bricks – Shapes and Sizes), Castables, Mortars and other functional products.

RHI has built and inaugurated one of the largest fusion plants for magnesia raw materials for more than 75 million euros in Norway in this month. In this fusion plant, magnesia obtained from sea water is converted to fused magnesia, which is a high-grade refractory raw material, at temperatures about 2800^OC. With a capacity of approximately 85000 tonnes per year, the plant is one of the largest worldwide. According to RHI, 120 employees will work at the plant in full operation.

“We are increasing self-supply with magnesia raw materials, which are very important for the refractories industry, to 80% and thus continue to consistently pursue our strategy of backward integration. With this new plant, we will be completely independent from Asian fused magnesia imports. And we are shortening delivery routes to the European RHI sites”, said RHI CEO Franz Struzl at a press conference at the plant in Porsgrunn, Norway.

“The Porsgrunn location offers several advantages, including the infrastructure, the support of local politics and the energy costs in Norway. In addition, we have decades of experience, which gives us a very good command of the complex process of obtaining magnesia from seawater. The construction of the fusion plant is one of the largest onshore investments in Norway in five years and is planned as a long-term investment”, said RHI plant manager Roger Gravdal.

RHI acquired this fusion plant in Porsgrunn and another raw material plant in Drogheda (Ireland) last year. Both plants are based on the extraction of magnesia from sea water. RHI thus broadened its technological base in extracting refractory raw materials and increased the number of raw material plants to eight.

RHI mines magnesite and dolomite at six locations in Austria, Italy, Turkey and China in surface and underground mining. RHI produces about 1 million tonnes of refractory raw materials per year.

The advantage of fused magnesia from Norway lies in its highly refractory properties caused by the firing process by means of electrofusion, in which the crystalline structure magnesia is improved significantly and the magnesia (MgO) content is increased to nearly 100%.

Fused magnesia from Norway is primarily used at the European RHI plants Veitsch (Austria), Radenthein (Austria), Aken (Germany) and Duisburg (Germany) and processed to end products for the steel, cement, lime, refractory and some nonferrous Metals industries.

(Source: RHI)  

IFGL Refractories starts new Refractory Unit in Gujarat to manufacture Continuous Casting Refractories

30-Oct-2011
IFGL Refractories Ltd. (IFGL) is a manufacturer of Specialized Refractories and requisite Operating Systems for the Steel Industry and offers its customers Total Refractory Solution for flow control in Steel Teeming and Continuous Casting of Steel. On 20^th Oct’2011 the company has started a new state-of-the-art facility at Kandla Special Economic Zone in Gujarat to manufacture Continuous Casting Refractories.

The unit, set up under IFGL Exports Limited (IEL), was inaugurated by Mrs. Smita Bajoria the wife of Group Chairman, Mr. Shishir Kr Bajoria, Mr Pradeep Bajoria, Managing Director, IFGL Refractories, Mr. Ichiro Takita Vice President of Krosaki Harima Corporation (KHC), subsidiary of Nippon Steel Corporation of Japan, and several dignitaries and local authorities were present at the inaugural function. The new unit is expected to start commercial production from the 1st of November, 2011.

The IFGL Group now has three strategically located units for manufacturing Continuous Casting Refractories. El Ceramics (EIC), located in Cincinnati, Ohio (USA), caters to the US, Canada, and Mexico. IFGL's Rourkela (Orissa) unit will henceforth be geared up to meet the increasing domestic demand and also to the steel plants located in South East Asia. IEL (IFGL Exports Limited), Kandla, will export its products to the Middle East and European markets. About 20 per cent of equity share capital of IEL is held by Krosaki Harima Corporation CKHQ, Japan, while the remaining 80 per cent is held by IFGL and other Group entities. KHC has been the equity and technical partner in IFGL for over 20 years.

IFGL acquired Monocon Group in September, 2005, with production facilities in the Brazil, China, UK, USA and Taiwan, where it is manufacturing mainly –

• Tundish Spraying Mass
• Refractory Darts
• Monolithic Lances
• Monolithics for Tundish, EAF and Ladle
• Robotics for EAF, Ladle and Tundish lining maintenance.

In September, 2010 IFGL acquired EI Ceramics LLC and CUSC International Limited (CUSC), both Cincinnati, Ohio based companies engaged in manufacture of Isostatically Pressed Continuous Casting Refractories.

Since its inception in 1984, IFGL has gradually transcended to become an Indian Multinational Refractory Company with manufacturing facilities in Brazil, China, Czech Republic, Germany, India, UK and USA.

(Source: http://www.ifglref.com)     

Tata Refractories Limited (TRL) achieves highest heats in Tata Steel LD-2 and in Steel Authority of India Limited's (SAIL) Bokaro SMS-1

27-Nov-2010

Tata Refractories Limited (TRL)

TRL has achieved the highest straight life of 99 heats in the LD-2 steel ladle of 160 MT capacity with Alumina Magnesia Carbon (AMC) bricks in the metal zone recently. It is reported that the erosion was quite uniform and the ladle was having potential to go up to 105 heats although, it was put down considering the risk factor associated to this.

In another instance, Tata Refractories Limited (TRL) achieved the highest life of 83 heats in SMS-1 ladle of SAIL’s (Steel Authority of India Ltd) Bokaro steel plant surpassing the previous best of 77 heats with its TATA FRT – 2 bricks. Following these achievements TRL congratulated Tata Steel LD-2 team and BSL Refractory and SMS-1 team of SAIL Bokaro for rendering all support.

Tata Refractories Limited (TRL) is the No. 1 refractory company in India with an annual production capacity of around 380000 MT. Its refractories works at Belpahar, Orissa is considered to be the largest among all single refractory producing units in the world. The company has a wide range of products having the ability to meet the refractories requirement for all type of industries.

Tata Refractories Limited (TRL) is the only Burnt Dolomite producing company in India and also happens to be the first refractories company to have Integrated Management System (IMS) certified encompassing ISO 9001 :2008, ISO 14001:2004 and OHSAS 18001:2007. 

Central Salt and Marine Chemical Research Institute, India expects an US patent for developing a technology of extracting Refractory Grade Magnesia from Sea Water

16-Aug-2010
An indigenous technology for extracting refractory grade Magnesia from sea water by the Central Salt and Marine Chemical Research Institute (CSMCRI) is in the process of being granted US patent which will definitely boost the production of high-grade refractory products for the steel sector.

"We have been granted notice of allowance for a US patent filed on technology for extracting high grade Magnesia of 99.3 per cent purity from concentrated sea water," institute's director Pusphito Ghosh said.

"Shortly, the US patent for this homegrown technology will also be granted," Ghosh said.

Refractories are lining materials which can not be dispensed with in order to continue any high temperature furnace or kiln operations. Such material is largely used in linings for furnaces, kilns, incinerators and reactors. High grade Magnesia is the core product used in lining of refractories at steel smelting plants. Besides, it finds application in cement, glass and copper smelting industry, industry sources said. The availability of high grade magnesia for industrial purposes is scarce and the commodity has to be imported at a high cost to meet the domestic demand.

"Relining of refractories at steel smelting plants will reduce due to our finding of high grade magnesia," Ghosh said.

"This radical change in extraction of such high purity magnesia from concentrated sea water will come as a major boost for making high grade refractory products for the steel industry," a steel ministry official said.

"The institute's process of preparation of magnesia from magnesium hydroxide was granted US patent this month. The high grade magnesia extracted through this indigenous process was of 97.3 per cent purity," Ghosh said.

CSMCRI, a laboratory of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is situated in Bhavnagar (Gujarat) has now proposed to set up a pilot manufacturing plant of around 0.4 tonnes capacity per day for this high grade Magnesia (99.3 per cent purity).

Source: PTI inputs    

US Govt Slaps Antidumping and Countervailing Duties to China and Mexico for Magnesia Carbon Refractory Brick Imports

6-Aug-2010

Magnesia Carbon Bricks

On July 27th 2010, US Department of Commerce (DOC) announced its affirmative final determinations in the antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CAD) investigations on imports of magnesia carbon (MgO-C) refractory bricks from China and Mexico. According to its reports, US DoC determined that producers and exporters from China and Mexico have sold Mag Carbon bricks in the United States at margins ranging from 128.1% to 236% and 57.9%, respectively. It also determined that producers and exporters from China have received net countervailable subsidies ranging from 24.24% to 253.87%. In the AD investigations, the Chinese mandatory respondent RHI Refractories Liaoning Co Limited received a final dumping rate of 128.1%. Another thirteen Chinese producers or exporters qualified for a separate rate of 128.1%. All other Chinese producers or exporters of magnesia carbon bricks received the China wide dumping rate of 236% based on the application of adverse facts available as the China wide entity did not cooperate with Commerce's requests for information. The Mexican respondent RHI Refmex SA de CV received a final dumping rate of 57.9%. All other Mexican producers or exporters received a final dumping rate of 57.9%. In the CVD investigation, Chinese mandatory respondent, the Mayerton Companies (Dalian Mayerton Refractories Co Limited and Liaoning Mayerton Refractories Co Limited) received a net subsidy rate of 253.87%, based on the application of adverse facts available as it failed to cooperate with Commerce's requests for information. The other mandatory respondent, the RHI Companies (RHI Refractories Liaoning Co Limited RHI Refractories (Dalian) Co Limited and Liaoning RHI Jinding Magnesia Co Limited), received a net subsidy rate of 24.24%. All other Chinese producers or exporters received a net subsidy rate of 24.24%. As a result of the final AD determinations, US Department of Commerce will instruct US Customs and Border Protection to collect a cash deposit or bond on imports of Mag Carbon (MgO-C) refractory bricks based on the final AD rates. As a result of the affirmative final CVD determination (which follows a negative preliminary determination).US DoC will instruct US Customs and Border Protection to collect a cash deposit or bond on all imports of Magnesia Carbon refractory bricks based on the final CVD rates. The petitioner for these investigations is Resco Products Inc.

The products covered by these investigations are magnesia carbon bricks which are a type of refractory brick used in kilns and furnaces for the production of iron and steel. The merchandise subject to these investigations consist of chemically bonded (resin or pitch) magnesia carbon bricks with a magnesia component of at least 70% magnesia by weight, and with carbon levels ranging from trace amounts to 30 percent by weight. 
To know more about these products refer to our separate post 

Ideal Grain Size Distribution of Refractory Raw Materials Mixture for making Magnesia Carbon Bricks

The products covered by these investigations are currently classified in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) under the categories: 6902.10.10.00, 6902.10.50.00, 6815.91.00.00, 6815.99.2000 and 6815.99.4000. Mule the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes. Commerce's written description of the subject merchandise governs the scope of these investigations. Imports of certain magnesia carbon refractory bricks from China were valued at an estimated 38.1 million USD in 2009 while values of the same products from Mexico in 2009 were around 9.4 million USD.

Source: US Bureau of Census    
Related Post

• RHI AG extends contract with Voestalpine Donawitz for supplying Refractory Materials (Bricks, Castables and Mortars) worth EUR 24 million  
• Indian Steel Industry : An account of Public and Private Sector Steel Plants in India 

Refractory News: TFL Incorporated Gets Ready for Continued Growth in Precast Refractory Shape Technology

4-Aug-2010

The use of pre-cast shape technology can greatly enhance the performance of refractory linings in your equipment. TFL is a leader in developing applications for pre-cast shapes. Even the greatest refractory material in the world can give poor performance in the field if adequate care is not taken to insure proper water addition, mixing, and initial bake out. As a major supplier of quality precast refractory shapes in the Gulf Coast region, TFL Inc. has enjoyed a substantial increase in sales and company growth with an innovative technique that is simplifying the jobs of plant maintenance managers, while reducing equipment downtime and repair costs.
Precast refractory shapes are enhancing performance and offering longer service life of refractory linings in equipment designed for industries such as aluminum, steel, power generation, and minerals processing. 

The 12,000 square foot state of the art facility owned by TFL is equipped with an automated mixing station containing a digitally-controlled water meter, mix time alarm, and variable speed vibration tables -- ensuring the proper placement of refractory materials. After casting, the shapes are cured and fired to specification in a digitally-controlled furnace -- a crucial step often overlooked in field-installed linings. 

"Our manufacturing facility is suited to build virtually any size precast refractory shape required, and all of our pieces are built to meet optimum performance goals. Our engineers work closely with plant managers and maintenance engineers to custom design their shapes," said TFL President Emory Laningham. "Precast shapes offer easy installation and shortened repair times. By isolating lining areas with the use of precast shapes, repairs can be confined to the worn area alone, eliminating costly and timely tear out," added Laningham. 

TFL has been a supplier of industrial products to the Gulf Coast region since 1977, and was recently named the "Number One Distributor" for 2006 by Plibrico Company -- a world leader in monolithic refractories. TFL prides itself on being able to supply more than just "a bag of refractory." Among the many refractory-related services offered by TFL, they can provide infrared thermography, which is a process using an infrared camera and software to assist in monitoring the condition of refractory linings.

Log onto www.tflhouston.com for a complete list of TFL turnkey services.

Company Address:

TFL Inc.
14626 Chrisman
Houston, TX USA 77039
US 800-828-5002
281-590-8500

Source: HealthStip