Makers of refractories, like other manufacturers around the world, are under pressure to manage their impact on the environment as the threats related to global warming become more evident. Shareholders, customers, local and national governments, and advocacy organizations are, in many cases, holding manufacturers accountable for meeting sustainability goals.

Many industrial manufacturers, such as France-based multinational group Imerys S.A.,¹ have established sustainability programs at their companies to research and implement new practices, materials, and systems that reduce their environmental impact. Among the various strategies to manage environmental impact, recycling offers both environmental and economic benefits for refractory manufacturers.