★ Strict environmental inspections in China lead to higher requirements on the production of refractory and abrasive companies

With environmental inspections which were merely seen in major regions in 2017 covering many industries around the whole country in 2018, China is paying more and more attention to energy conservation, emission reduction and environmental protection currently, leading to the supply shortage of ores and other resources and continuously increased prices for refractory materials including magnesia, fused alumina, bauxite, silicon carbide and graphite. As the relationship between supply and demand in the refractory and abrasive markets changed, stocks of refractory and abrasive materials became to be limited in 2018 and prices generally remained at high levels. In the face of strict environmental protection policies, how should refractory and abrasive materials companies and downstream companies respond actively?

★ Will the limited mining of resources in China continue to affect the quality and supply of aluminum-based refractory materials?

Affected by policies on environmental protection and supply-side reform, both the output and quality of aluminum-based refractory materials have declined in recent years in China, but prices have risen sharply. Downstream companies have adjusted their production ratios and improved structures of raw materials to ensure product quality and control production costs. Will there be ideal substitutes of aluminum-based refractory materials?

★ Now that the integration of magnesite mines has been completed, will the "planned economy" adapt to the market?

Magnesia prices remained high in the Chinese market in 2018. During the year, Liaoning Magnesite Mining Co., Ltd. was officially established, marking the possibility that the magnesite industry in Haicheng, Liaoning may enter the "planned economy" era. The company will implement control on total magnesite volume in Haicheng, organize transactions based on the unified platform, strictly control exports of magnesite and collect ecological restoration funds, security deposits for operation and operating and management expenses. How about the magnesite market in 2019 and will the "planned economy" be implemented normally?

★ Will the coming of overseas refractory materials such as magnesia and graphite impact the Chinese market?

In 2018, the supply of refractory materials was tight in China and overseas ores began to enter the domestic market in small quantities. For example, magnesite from Russia and other countries began to flow into China during 2018. They did not have much impact on the Chinese market, but indicated that it's possible for overseas magnesite to enter the Chinese market. With the North Korean issue eased to some extent, will it be possible for North Korea to export magnesite to other countries? Meanwhile, more Chinese graphite producers started to purchase graphite ore in the international market, stimulating the mining volumes of graphite ore in Mozambique, Tasmania, Mauritius, Madagascar and other countries to increase gradually. Will the competition in Chinese graphite market be more competitive in 2019?

★ The demand in the international refractory material market changes

Against the backdrop of the changing situation in China, an important supply base for refractory material worldwide, will there be a new change in the demand for refractory material in the international market? How will international refractory material consumers respond? How should domestic and overseas refractory product companies respond to high prices of refractory material in China currently?

In view of your consistent support and trust, Asia Metal will hold the 7th International Refractories & Abrasives Summit in China from May 23rd to 24th, 2019. At that time, producers, traders, consumers and related people around the world will gather together to explore the development direction of the refractory material industry and make breakthroughs! As the host of the summit, Asian Metal sincerely invites you to join the summit!