White fused alumina pricks refractories cost conscience

摘要

Prices for both tabular and white fused alumina (WFA) have been decreasing in recent months, particularly in the European market. Despite this, WFA has posed a serious threat to its tabular neighbour in their cross-over refractory applications and the issue is all down to cost effectiveness. Both of these alumina business sectors are strongly competitive, and while the tabular market is much larger than that for WFA, imports of the white fused variety from low cost sources in Central and Eastern Europe and Asia have had an impact on tabular alumina prices. However, if forecasts are correct, shortages of the raw material for non-metallurgical aluminas looks set to tip the market balance in favour of the producers in the coming year.