History
Our road to become the world's largest family-run refractory company.
In order to meet the individual needs of our customers reliably and at all times, we continuously invest in all company divisions – from research & development through the latest production methods and equipment, logistics, up to worldwide sales and service – always focussed, efficient, and with a clear view into the future.
![1950](en/imgv/1950-Steinwerke-Feuerfest-Karl-Albert.104020.jpg)
Engineer Karl Albert founds the Steinwerke Feuerfest Karl Albert company in Vogelbeck near Northeim (Lower Saxony / Germany) and produces the first refractory bricks made of slag from the iron & steel industry.
1950
![1952](en/imgv/1952-Refratechnik-Goettingen.104020.jpg)
Production is moved to the present location in Göttingen, Germany.
1952
![1964](en/imgv/1964-Refratechnik-new.1420.jpg)
The company is renamed as Refratechnik.
1964
![1966](en/imgv/1966-Intermat.1400.jpg)
Founding of Intermat in Trino (Piedmont, Italy), now known as Refratechnik Italia. This where rice husk ash is produced, which was previously used as raw material for our own bricks. Today, rice husk ash is sold as an auxiliary material to the steelmaking industry.
1966
![1973](en/imgv/1973-Gochsheim.1400.jpg)
Purchase of the Gochsheim plant (Kraichtal) / Germany, in order to meet the cement industry's increasing demand for refractory bricks.
1973
![1977](en/imgv/1977-Gornal.1400.jpg)
The Refratechnik Group's third plant is purchased in Gornal near Barcelona, and Refratechnik Ibérica S.A. is founded in Spain. Today, the Gornal plant produces bricks based on aluminium oxide as well as refractory bricks.
1977
![1979](en/imgv/1979-Baymag.1400.jpg)
Purchase of a large magnesite deposit in Western Canada, and founding of Baymag Inc. in Calgary. Start of magnesium oxide (MgO)production.
1979
![1987](en/imgv/1987-research-development.1400.jpg)
Inauguration of a new research and development center in Göttingen, Germany.
1987
![1995](en/imgv/1995-Holding-Ismaning.1425.jpg)
In order to deal with the Group's strong growth, and the need for a clear organizational structure, Refratechnik Holding is founded in Munich, Germany, and the group companies are integrated in today's Holding structure. This ensures that the Group remains controllable, also in times of dynamic global growth.
1995
![1995](en/imgv/1995-Shanghai.1400.jpg)
Opening of the first representative's office in Shanghai, People's Republic of China, and a sales office in Budapest, Hungary.
1995
![1997](en/imgv/1997-Refratechnik-Steel-Duesseldorf.1425.jpg)
Refratechnik Steel GmbH in Düsseldorf, and Refratechnik Casting GmbH in Ismaning (both Germany, and the latter now a subsidiary of Refratechnik Steel) to serve customers in the iron & steel and the non-ferrous metals industries specifically.
1997
![1999](en/imgv/1999-North-America-Mexico.1400.jpg)
Founding of the sales company Refratechnik Mexico, S.A. de C.V. in Mexico D.F., Mexico.
Founding of the sales company Refratechnik North America Inc. in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
1999
![2001](en/imgv/2001-Bendorf.1400.jpg)
Refratechnik Steel GmbH's new plant is commissioned in Bendorf, Germany, which produces high-grade refractory concretes.
2001
![2003](en/imgv/2003-Yingkou.1400.jpg)
Commissioning of the Yingkou Refratechnik Refractories plant in Dashiqiao, China, in which fused basic bricks are produced for the cement industry.
2003
![2004](en/imgv/2004-Trading-Dalian.1425.jpg)
Refratechnik Trading is founded in Dalian, China to serve customers in China.
2004
![2006](en/imgv/2006-bendorf-research-development.1421.jpg)
Inauguration of a new research and development center in Bendorf, Germany.
2006
![2007](en/imgv/2007-Refratechnik-Asia.1400.jpg)
Refratechnik Asia Ltd. is founded in Hong Kong, and administration and sales for South East Asia are transferred from Dalian to Hong Kong.
2007
![2007](en/imgv/2007-Zibo.1421.jpg)
The Zibo Refratechnik Refractories plant in Zibo, China goes on line, and produces fused basic bricks for the cement industry.
2007
![2011](en/imgv/2011-Duelmen-Plant-air.1421.jpg)
The new Refratechnik Steel plant in Dülmen, Germany is commissioned, which produces high-quality prefabricated components.
2011
![2013](en/imgv/2013-Burton-Refratechnik-nn.3443.jpg)
Takeover of Burton GmbH & Co. KG, headquartered in Melle, Germany, and renaming the company as Refratechnik Ceramics GmbH and Refratechnik Hungaria Kft. In this way, the ceramics industry, refuse incineration, and the primary aluminium industry are opened up as additional business sectors for the Refractory division.
2013
![](en/imgv/2014-India.1792.jpg)
Refratechnik Steel GmbH's Liaison Office is opened in Visakhapatnam, India.
![2014](en/imgv/2014-Office-Dubai.1421.jpg)
Refratechnik Steel GmbH's Representation Office is opened in Dubai, UAE.
2014
![2016](en/imgv/refra-office-bogota.103805.jpg)
The subsidiary of Refratechnik in Colombia, RTMX Servicios SAS, was founded in 2016 with the objective of offering installation services and technical advice on refractories for the cement and lime industry.
2016
![2017](en/imgv/2014-India.103800.jpg)
Refratechnik (India) Private Limited in Vizakhapatnam – previously our Liaison Office in India – was founded in 2017 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Refratechnik Steel GmbH.
2017
![2019](en/imgv/Refratechnik-Haicheng-overview.105196.jpg)
Refratechnik Haicheng is part of the Refratechnik Group which is specialized in production of high-grade caustic calcined magnesia (CCM) and dead burned magnesia (DBM).
2019
![2020](en/imgv/Refratechnik-QMAG.105451.jpg)
Takeover of QMAG Ltd. in the state of Queensland, Australia. QMAG (Queensland Magnesia) is a fully integrated world leading producer of high-quality magnesia products, servicing global markets with a combined production of high-grade electrofused (FM), dead burned (DBM), and caustic calcined (CCM) magnesium oxide products.
2020
![2021](en/imgv/Refratechnik-Horn-Produktions-GmbH.105728.jpg)
Start of the production joint venture with Horn & Co. Minerals & Products Management GmbH in Siegen, Germany. Previously part of the Horn Group, the factory for producing magnesia carbon bricks in Hünsborn, Germany, will be operated and expanded as "Refratechnik Horn Produktions GmbH" in future. With the recycling specialist Horn, Refratechnik Steel – majority share holder in the joint venture – has found an ideal partner for the production of MACARBON® bricks for the steelmaking industry.