Market Overview
Deadburned (DBM) and electrofused magnesia (EFM) are used predominantly in the refractory industry where they are mainly used to make shaped and unshaped products to line high temperature vessels such as furnaces and kilns in the steel, cement, non-ferrous, glass and chemical industries.
The main application is in steel refractories with more than 70% of all refractories used in steel production. High grade DBM and EFM are used mainly in bricks/shapes:
- Magnesia carbon bricks
- Magnesia bricks
- Magnesia chrome bricks
- Magnesia spinel bricks
- Magnesia dolomite bricks
- Magnesia carbon alumina bricks
High grade magnesia for refractory applications is classified according to purity (MgO content), bulk specific gravity (BSG), periclase crystal size (PCS) and CaO/SiO2 ratio.
Typically, high grade DBM for the steel industry requires MgO 97% minimum, BSG 3.40 minimum, PCS 100µ minimum and CaO/SiO2 2.0 minimum.
High grade EFM requires MgO 97% minimum (usually 97.5-98.0% with SiO2 0.5% maximum), BSG 3.50 minimum, PCS 500µ minimum and CaO/SiO2 4.0 minimum. Lower grade EFM is also used in refractory bricks and shapes.
Historically the main global producers of high grade DBM have been based on synthetic technology converting magnesium rich seawater or brine into magnesia. The only natural high grade DBM producers are Turkey and Australia (QMAG) which are based on cryptocrystalline magnesite deposits.
The main refractory EFM producers are based on natural magnesia in China and Australia (QMAG). There are also a number of producers in USA, Europe and China producing fused magnesia for the smaller volume electrical insulation market and with different specifications and technical characteristics.
The majority of QMAG’s sales of DBM and EFM are made into the world refractory market. QMAG’s products are ideally suited for steel refractories and are mostly used in these applications. The steel refractory industry is located in the major steel producing centres of the world. Consequently, a large portion of QMAG’s DBM and EFM is exported to Europe and USA, with additional sales in to Asian markets.
QMAG is well established in the refractory market, and has a dominant supplier position at most of its DBM and EFM accounts. QMAG is viewed as a strategic supply source for most refractory customers and supports its sales with a high level of service.
Calcined magnesia (CCM) is used mostly in chemical-based applications:
- Agriculture (fertiliser and stockfeed)
- Pulp and paper
- Iron and steelmaking
- Hydrometallurgy
- General chemical, waste and water treatment
CCM is normally graded according to purity, sizing and reactivity. Most of the CCM that is traded throughout the world ranges from 85-95% MgO.
QMAG is the dominant regional supplier of quality calcined magnesia for a wide range of applications, and is continuing to expand into new markets.
QMAG also markets and sells magnesite.