The ongoing volatility in the graphite electrode pricing from China will impact RMS produced fused grain and magnesia chromite prices. RMS produces fused magnesia chromite spinels at it Vereeniging plant, which are used in the production of magnesia chrome refractories. The current surge in electrode prices of more than 300 percent, will have a big impact on the production costs of chrome magnesia refractory products. As such RMS has no alternative but to charge an electrode surcharge on all products containing fused grain spinels.

This situation is not unique to RMS but will impact all magnesia chrome refractories. Prices from China for fused magnesia and fused magnesia chromite have seen big price increases in the last few weeks. Together with environmental stoppages on plants producing dead burnt magnesites, fused materials and graphite electrodes and increase prices on these materials, the outlook on all basic refractories prices continues to be extremely volatile.

RMS is currently trying to ensure reliable supply of electrodes and magnesites, with production of fused spinels not being impacted for the next six months. However, pricing on electrodes will dictate production prices.

Please contact Refractory and Metallurgical Solutions for more information on latest magnesia chrome refractory pricing and availability at [email protected].