Us Demand For Refractory Products

Demand for refractory products in the US is projected to increase 2.5%/year through 2003 to $2.8bn, a deceleration from the mid/latter 1990s pace. Much of the slowdown will reflect cyclical factors, in particular some moderation in new capital investment following several years of healthy gains. This will impact most of the major refractory-using markets including iron and steel, nonferrous metals, ceramics and glass, and minerals processing. A table is given showing refractory products demand from 1993 to 1998 with a forecast for 2003.