In June 2022, China's output of refractories was 1.9405 million tons, a year-on-year decrease of 2.43%; from January to June, China's refractories output was 12.0133 million tons, a year-on-year decrease of 5.14%.

In the first half of the year, the production data of refractories in 26 provinces and cities in China showed that the output of refractories in 23 provinces and cities declined. Only three provinces, Jiangsu Province, Shanxi Province and Inner Mongolia, showed an increase in the production of refractories, with a year-on-year growth rate of 0.12%, 5.61% and 36.93% respectively.

Refractories output in Shanghai and Hebei fell the most. In the first half of the year, the output of refractories in Shanghai was 137,500 tons, a year-on-year decrease of 19.92%; the output of refractories in Hebei Province was 346,400 tons, a year-on-year decrease of 11.88%. The decline in the output of refractories in the two regions is because the manufacturers are unable to produce normally due to the impact of the COVID-19.

In terms of the main producing areas of refractories, the output of refractories in Henan Province was 4.3222 million tons, a year-on-year decrease of 5.66%; the output of refractories in Liaoning Province was 1.9691 million tons, a year-on-year decrease of 6.2%; the output of refractories in Shandong Province was 1.3813 million tons, a year-on-year decrease of 1.96%; the output of refractories in Jiangsu Province was 802,100 tons, a year-on-year increase of 0.12%; the output of refractories in Zhejiang Province was 1,755,800 tons, a year-on-year decrease of 8.43%.

The major producing areas of refractories were affected by the COVID-19, which hindered the transportation of raw materials and refractory products. However, refractories manufacturers have made active efforts to ensure the supply of refractories to steelmakers.