From steelmaking to glass manufacturing to paper mills, refractories play an essential role in ensuring the continuous operations of the industries upon which our society relies.

In recent years, the role of refractories in ensuring sustainability of our industrial practices is gaining prominence as well. During the Unified International Technical Conference on Refractories in Chicago, Ill., in March 2022, RHI Magnesita chief technology officer Luis Bittencourt talked with Bulletin associate managing editor Lisa McDonald about the importance of improving sustainability in the refractories industry and how RHI Magnesita is working toward that goal. What follows is condensed from that conversation.