Ironmaking
General Areas Served
Ironmaking remains one of the world's most essential and demanding processes. During the continuous process of iron making, iron ore passes through different areas of the furnace from top to bottom. Depending on the demands of the different chemical and physical reactions, the refractories are exposed to extreme conditions.
From medium to high temperatures in combination with abrasion, Alkali/Zinc vapor attack and/or hydrogen (H2) or Syngas environments to slag/molten iron corrosion, the refractories used need to be designed to perform under these conditions.
Additional challenges arise when other topics as long lifetimes to reduce cost (fewer number of repairs, reduction of heat losses and coke consumption) or reduction of CO2 emission come into picture.
To meet these requirements, advanced refractory solutions must be purpose-designed, expertly selected, and their performance continuously monitored to enable ongoing innovation and deliver state-of-the-art technologies to the market. At Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics & Refractories, we develop high-performance refractory solutions that support the ironmaking industry in overcoming modern challenges, enhancing furnace longevity, reducing operational costs, and advancing sustainability objectives.
Boost your blast furnace performance with our innovative refractories to increase lining life and ease operational processes and discover our discover our sustainable solutions to lower CO2 emission while decreasing coke consumption.
Developing advanced materials for DRI to path the way for a carbon-neutral future. Smarter solutions for sustainable DRI ironmaking especially for H2 but also state-of-the-art solutions for current NG and ramping up to 100 % H2 furnace environments.
Why Choose Saint-Gobain?
At the heart of the ironmaking process is the transformation of iron ore - typically hematite or magnetite - into liquid iron. While this practice has continually evolved since the 19th century, it still relies heavily on traditional blast furnace outputs. However, the industry is undergoing a significant transition toward more flexible, lower-emission systems that integrate natural gas and hydrogen in DRI and electricity in electric arc furnaces.
Supporting this evolution, our technologies address the two most common ironmaking routes: blast furnace and DRI (direct reduced iron) shaft furnace operations. Each presents unique thermal, chemical and physical challenges, which we counter with deep expertise and engineered refractory solutions tailored to every critical stage of both blast furnace and DRI processes.
Beyond Refractories: Your Technology Partner
Meeting these challenges takes more than off-the-shelf solutions. We are not just a refractory supplier - we are a technology partner dedicated to pushing the boundaries of performance, efficiency and environmental responsibility. Our ongoing R&D fuels the next generation of refractory innovations, engineered to deliver:
Ready to Optimize Your Ironmaking Process?
Whether you operate a traditional blast furnace or you are pioneering hydrogen-based DRI, Saint-Gobain provides the materials, expertise and global footprint to help you succeed. Let us build a cleaner, stronger future for iron production - together.
