As 2025 comes to a close, the refractory industry stands at a pivotal moment — shaped by rapid technological advancement, shifting global supply dynamics, and a renewed emphasis on sustainability, workforce evolution, and customer partnership.

Across steelmaking, cement, non-ferrous metals, and beyond, our customers are navigating an increasingly complex operating landscape. Yet this year has also revealed extraordinary opportunities to accelerate innovation, rethink collaboration, and strengthen the role of refractories in a more digital and sustainable industrial world.

In this special year-end edition, we sit down with RHI Magnesita CEO Stefan Borgas to reflect on the defining themes of 2025, the milestones that shaped our journey, and the strategic direction guiding our path forward. From market challenges to breakthrough advancements.

Below, Stefan shares his insights on the year behind us and what lies ahead for our customers, our teams, and the refractory sector.

Q: Stefan, 2025 has been a turbulent year globally. When you look back, what stands out first?  

The words that capture this year best are “surprise” & “resilience“. Global conditions remained unstable, changed and surprised us continuously, sometimes even during the month. This was influenced by geopolitical tension, trade frictions and shifting supply chains – many of our key customer industries also felt the effects. Despite the unpredictable global landscape, our customers, partners, and investors trusted us to remain a stable force in their value chains. Their confidence enabled us to push forward with resilience. At the same time, our teams kept their focus on the essentials: delivering quality, maintaining customer trust and pushing ahead with the long-term transformation we committed to. That consistency and clarity made a significant impact.  

Q: How did these global dynamics affect RHI Magnesita’s performance?  

We navigated the environment – with a lot of difficulties and a very subdued performance until July this year. But then the actions that everyone had initiated started to grip, our performance improved and we have started delivering a much better performance since August. This “turn around” comes solely from strengthening our operational foundation: cost reductions, careful price increases, unfortunately some plant closures, but also more operational stability and consistency. What increasingly sets us apart now is our local-for-local strategy: local plants embedded in a global network – this gives us flexibility when it matters.  

Q: Internally, this was also an important year for several strategic programs. What stood out to you?  

Despite all volatility, we are executing our clearly defined strategy (and actually checking it permanently to ensure it still makes sense) – these are: 

• Our major digital transformation to put data in the center: DigiT (the implementation of SAP S/4HANA), transport management system, o9 for supply chain panning, Metals Hub for raw materials planning and many systems inside our plants that create our Operations Excellence System (OES). We will become AI ready soon. 

• The standardization of our admin processes with the construction of our Global Shared Services together with Capgemini.  

• The integration of our acquisitions, especially Legacy Resco and BPI in the US, as well as searching for the next wave of acquisitions. Here we harvest efficiency and cost improvements. More importantly, however, we now have new capabilities, customer relationships, and knowledge. This is impressive and inspiring.  

• The strengthening of our backward integration, which is now designed in detail and in the process of implementation. 

Q: What progress did RHI Magnesita make in sustainability this year?  

Sustainability has become deeply embedded in how we operate and invest. In 2025, we continued to increase our recycling initiatives, in terms of actual usage and also in terms of technology improvement. Our renewable-energy capacity expanded, and we commissioned a 2.2 MW photovoltaic installation in China, saving around 2,000 tons of CO₂ annually; more such projects are under way in all regions. We have also advanced on our green minerals initiative, which will open a new business area for RHIM while absorbing 50,000t/year of CO₂ of our existing processes at the same time with just the first project. This is a significant transformation since 2019. 

Q: How did the combination of AI technology and culture evolve in 2025?  

During 2025 we shifted our mindset: colleagues began using AI, leveraging automation and digital tools to genuinely improve daily work and decision-making. Our focus on upskilling and data literacy supports this development and builds confidence. We are still in the exploratory phase of finding the best way to use AI technologies in our many different functions, but by embracing AI across our operations, we will be setting new standards in efficiency and reliability for the refractory industry. 

Our culture of open, collaborative and direct, curious spirit helps a lot to enable this exploration. It’s more a bottom-up process right now rather than a corporate top-down approach.

Q: What are you personally most proud of this year?  

I am especially proud of the dedication and commitment shown by our people that led to the turn-around of our business in the second half of this year. Our customer focus has improved even further! I also value the discipline we maintained in advancing our priorities in the areas of digitalization, sustainability, customer focus, and operational excellence. And finally, I appreciate the open and pragmatic mindset which shaped decisions throughout the year, as we have established a no-blame culture focused on finding solutions together. The spirit of our employees helped me personally to overcome my own moodiness – and for this I want to thank all of RHIM’s professionals personally: you helped me to get through! Thank you. 

Q: What challenges remain as we enter 2026?  

The ones we know are much the same as in 2025: they are linked to implementing our strategy projects in an environment of subdued market demand. Geopolitical uncertainty will bring new challenges in 2026: let’s not be surprised to be surprised. This means we need to stay flexible, focused and prepared to act. And I learned from our team that keeping a friendly positive spirit and taking care about each other is the best foundation. 

In a market that remains challenging; innovation becomes even more important; service and speed for our customer will be the decisive differentiators – RHIM has the largest toolbox in the industry for this. Talent development, especially in technical and digital areas, will remain essential. The simplification of our processes has great potential. The external challenges are an invitation to move further, be faster, and think smarter.

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Brussels, 17 November 2025 — A European technology consortium led by RHI Magnesita will today unveil RAPTOR, a first-of-its-kind, AI powered mobile multi sensor system that turns mixed, end-of-life refractories into high purity secondary raw materials.  
 
RAPTOR emerges from ReSoURCE, a Horizon Europe project with nine partners that ran from 1 June 2022 to 30 November 2025, with an EU contribution of €6.09 million,  €1 million from UK government and a total cost of €8.51 million, created to fully modernise the refractory recycling value chain through digitalisation, automation and high precision sorting.  

“RAPTOR is proof of what Europe can achieve when industry, researchers and the EU work as one. By bringing everyone’s expertise to the table, we have taken top notch technology from lab to line. This breakthrough will strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy by reducing demand for virgin raw materials, accelerate Digital Product Passport readiness across supply chains, and make a concrete contribution to the European Green Deal, the Circular Economy objectives and the recycling goals under the Critical Raw Materials Act,” said Constantin Beelitz, President Europe and CIS, RHI Magnesita, on behalf of the consortium. 

 
From lab to line: impact that matters for Europe 

As a mobile system combining LIBS + HSI sensors with AI, RAPTOR automatically sorts complex waste streams into certified, traceable secondary materials that can re-enter high-temperature industries at scale. Rolled out across the EU, the ReSoURCE solution has system-level potential to deliver every year: 

• ~800,000 t CO₂ avoided (≈ 500,000 cars off the road) 

• ~760 GWh energy saved (≈ 200,000 households) 

• ~800,000 t less landfill (> 1,300 Airbus A380 by weight) 

RAPTOR has high policy implications for the EU. It helps deliver the Critical Raw Materials Act by creating reliable secondary streams, it enables Digital Product Passports under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation through trustworthy composition and traceability data, it advances the Circular Economy Action Plan by cutting waste and landfill, and it aligns with the Clean Industrial Deal by turning decarbonisation into competitiveness for Europe’s foundation industries while reducing exposure to ETS costs. 

 
Closing Event in Brussels 

The final results will be presented at a Closing Event – ReSoURCE: Driving Digital Innovation for a Circular and Competitive European Industry in Brussels. The workshop takes place on Monday, 17 November 2025, from 14:00 to 17:00 at AT60 “House of Austria”, Avenue de Cortenbergh 60, 1000 Brussels, followed by networking from 17:00 to 19:00. The event is organised jointly by the nine project partners, RHI Magnesita, LSA Laser Analytical Systems and Automation, InnoLas, Norsk Elektro Optikk, Fraunhofer ILT, Montanuniversität Leoben, SINTEF, Crowdhelix and CPI. Industry leaders, policymakers and researchers will discuss the innovation created and how to roll it out across the EU.  

Registration is available at https://forms.office.com/e/mvg3Px3YUY. 

Next Steps  

Building on the success of ReSoURCE, the consortium is now preparing for the industrial rollout of RAPTOR and several complementary technologies developed during the project. Alongside the main system, early prototypes for fine fraction sorting, advanced sensing concepts, and digital tools for material classification have opened promising pathways for further innovation. The first pilot phase will start in early 2026 at RHI Magnesita’s recycling site in Mitterdorf, Austria, followed by continued collaboration to mature and extend these solutions across Europe. The partners are already exploring next-generation applications and new project opportunities to unlock the full potential of automated, data-driven refractory recycling and support the transition toward a truly circular materials economy. 

About RHI Magnesita 

RHI Magnesita is the leading global supplier of high-grade refractory products, systems, and solutions which are critical for high-temperature processes exceeding 1,200°C in a wide range of industries, including steel, cement, non-ferrous metals, and glass. With a vertically integrated value chain, from raw materials to refractory products and full performance-based solutions, RHI Magnesita serves customers around the world with more than 20,000 employees, 65 main production sites (including raw material sites), 12 recycling facilities, and more than 70 sales offices. The Group is listed on the London Stock Exchange (symbol: RHIM) and has a secondary listing on the Vienna Stock Exchange. For more information, please visit: www.rhimagnesita.com. 

For further inquiries, please contact:

RHI MAGNESITA

Abhijit Borah
Head of Global Communications & Public Affairs
abhijit.borah@rhimagnesita.com
 +43 699 1870 6728

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Digital flagship plant combines high-tech production with domestic magnesite – a key raw material for Europe’s green transition

Federal Chancellor of Austria Christian Stocker visited the RHI Magnesita plant in Radenthein today to learn about state-of-the-art digital production and regional raw material security. The visit emphasises the importance of domestic critical raw materials such as magnesite for the forthcoming industrial strategy. The Chancellor was accompanied by LHStv. Martin Gruber and LR Sebastian Schuschnig, ÖVP General Secretary Nico Marchetti, Federal Managing Director Dominik Ramusch and Mayor Michael Maier.

Chancellor Christian Stocker said: “Radenthein impressively demonstrates how raw material security, digitalisation and environmental protection can be successfully combined to keep value creation in the country, secure jobs and strengthen Europe’s competitiveness at the same time. The site – in conjunction with the plant in Hochfilzen – epitomises a modern industrial policy that focuses on regional strength, technological innovation and ecological responsibility. Magnesite is of strategic importance at a time when Europe needs to become more independent and resilient. An entry in the EU list of critical raw materials would be a clear advantage – for the ecological and digital transformation in Austria and Europe, as well as for industrial value creation in rural areas.”

Rajah Jayendran, CTO of RHI Magnesita, added: “Magnesite is the material behind the materials—without it there would be no wind turbines, no batteries and no green steel. Our Austrian plants prove that responsible mining, circular economy and high‑tech production are possible in Europe.”

Radenthein digital refractory plant
The plant in Radenthein is the first refractory plant with a fully integrated Manufacturing Execution System (MES), AI-supported quality control and a digital twin of all processes.

Performance data:

• Production capacity: ≈ 140,000 tonnes/year
• Articles/formulations: > 15,000 / > 500
• Industrial customers/countries: > 700 / 40+
• Employees: ≈ 330 at the site
• Over 1,000 apprentices trained since the plant was founded in 1908

Every year, 75,000 tonnes of raw magnesite from the Millstätter Alpe are transported to the plant by cable car and refined into caustic magnesia for animal feed and soil remediation. Radenthein obtains additional high-purity magnesia from other Austrian deposits for the refractory lines. This results in precise spinel and magnesia bricks that protect electric arc furnaces in Germany, glass furnaces in Spain and copper smelters in Canada, for example.

Magnesite – the basis for modern high-temperature processes
Magnesite is the basis for refractory products that protect furnaces and reactors above 1,200 °C. Without it, there would be no climate-neutral steel, no CO₂-reduced cement, no energy-efficient glass and no battery metals. Europe imports the majority of its magnesite from China – Austrian deposits are a rare European counterweight. Listing magnesite as a strategic raw material in the EU would create jobs in rural areas and attract investment.

Symbolic conclusion
At the end of the visit, RHI Magnesita presented the Federal Chancellor with a magnesite cube engraved with ‘Magnesite – critical for Europe – Radenthein, 30 July 2025’. The cube symbolises the common goal of recognising magnesite as a strategic mineral on the EU list of raw materials – a step that the United Kingdom and Turkey have already taken.

About RHI Magnesita
RHI Magnesita is the leading global supplier of high-grade refractory products, systems and solutions which are critical for high-temperature processes exceeding 1,200 °C in a wide range of industries, including steel, cement, non-ferrous metals and glass. With a vertically integrated value chain, from raw materials to refractory products and full performance-based solutions, RHI Magnesita serves customers around the world, with over 20,000 employees in 65 main production sites (including raw material sites), 12 recycling facilities and more than 70 sales offices. RHI Magnesita intends to leverage its leadership in terms of revenue, scale, product portfolio and diversified geographic presence to strategically target those countries and regions benefiting from more dynamic economic growth prospects.
The Group is listed within the Equity Shares (Commercial Companies) category (“ESCC”) of the Official List of the London Stock Exchange (symbol: RHIM) and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 index, with a secondary listing on the Vienna Stock Exchange (Wiener Börse). For more information, please visit: www.rhimagnesita.com

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We are proud to announce that RHI Magnesita has achieved a significant improvement in its EcoVadis ESG rating, reinforcing our position as a global sustainability leader in the industrial sector.

EcoVadis updated our ESG rating yesterday, and our overall score has risen by 3 points, placing us in the 97th percentile worldwide. This means our sustainability performance now equals or exceeds that of 97% of over 150,000 companies assessed by EcoVadis across more than 185 countries.

This improvement also continues to unlock annual interest savings of approximately €500,000 through our sustainability-linked financing facilities — demonstrating how strong ESG performance translates into tangible financial value.

Reflecting our strategic focus on sustainability as a key driver of business performance and long-term impact, this year’s score was boosted by improvements in three critical areas.

Key Drivers of Progress:

• Environment: +6 points
• Ethics: +4 points
• Sustainable Procurement: +5 points

Since 2021, RHI Magnesita’s core loan facilities are directly linked to our Ecovadis rating, highlighting our commitment to continuously progress with our sustainability strategy.

EcoVadis is the world’s largest and most trusted provider of business sustainability ratings. Its methodology evaluates companies across four categories: Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement.

Widely used by global customers, financial institutions, and supply chain partners, the EcoVadis rating plays a key role in strengthening credibility, comparability, and transparency in ESG performance — making it an essential benchmark for our stakeholders.

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RHI Magnesita showcases Brumado’s strategic potential for a secure and sustainable raw materials future

Vienna/Salvador, 26 May 2025 – In a time of persistent geopolitical instability, high tariffs, and fragile supply chains, Brazil is stepping forward as a resilient and high-quality alternative source for critical raw materials like Magnesite. This message was at the heart of MagForum 2025, held for the first time in Latin America from 19 to 21 May in Salvador, Brazil. Organised by IMFORMED, MagForum is one of the world’s most recognized international events focused on magnesite mining and processing

Magnesite is a critical raw material for producing refractory products which are crucial for all high temperature manufacturing processes – steel, cement, aluminium, non-ferrous metals, glass, energy, etc. As the global leader in refractories, RHI Magnesita is backward integrated with its wholly owned magnesite mining facilities, with one of it situated at Brumado in Brazil. 

On 22 May, as part of the official programme of MagForum 2025, participants from across the global refractory and industrial minerals sectors took part in a technical visit to RHI Magnesita’s flagship raw materials operation in Brumado, Bahia. With one of the world’s largest and purest magnesite reserves, Brumado is now positioned to become a fully integrated global hub for magnesia-based raw materials.

“Markets today are more volatile than ever – shaped by shifting geopolitics, export restrictions, and an overreliance on just a few suppliers,” said Gustavo Franco, Chief Customer Officer of RHI Magnesita. “Brumado is open for business: it is reliable, high-quality and scalable. This is where secure, long-term supply begins. We believe Brumado is ready to serve as the global raw materials hub.”

A future-proof supply chain, built at the source

Brazil holds the fourth-largest global reserve of magnesite, and nearly all of it is concentrated in Brumado. With direct rail connection to the Port of Aratu and decades of supply ahead, the site offers a strategic alternative to single source supply concentration.

RHI Magnesita has recently inaugurated its largest rotary kiln at the site, delivering an annual capacity of 150,000 tonnes. At 200 metres in length, including its cooler, and operating at sintering temperatures above 1900°C, the facility is designed for product versatility, quality, and global competitiveness.

Resilience, sustainability and innovation

Brumado is more than a mine – it is a modern, performance-driven production ecosystem. RHI Magnesita has recently invested over €100 million into the site, raising technical standards through automation, digital control, and integrated logistics.

“Brumado brings together every component of a resilient supply chain –  from high-grade ore to highly modernised infrastructure,” said Rajah Jayendran, Chief Technology Officer of RHI Magnesita. “We’ve installed our most advanced rotary kiln, built a state-of-the-art water recirculation system, and connected the site to export logistics. Emissions are being reduced across the board, and we see strong potential for future application of CO₂ capture and conversion technologies at the site.”

The Brumado plant already achieves 90% water reuse, preserving local water resources and protecting 22 springs in the Serra das Éguas region. It also supports local communities through environmental restoration, professional training and social impact initiatives.

As part of its decarbonisation strategy, RHI Magnesita has invested heavily in a partnership with MCi, an Australian clean-tech start-up developing pioneering carbon mineralisation technology. The process converts CO₂ into industrial-use powders. The company plans to expand this innovation to raw material operations such as Brumado in the near future.

About RHI Magnesita

RHI Magnesita is the leading global supplier of high-grade refractory products, systems and solutions which are critical for high-temperature processes exceeding 1,200°C in a wide range of industries, including steel, cement, non-ferrous metals and glass. With a vertically integrated value chain, from raw materials to refractory products and full performance-based solutions, RHI Magnesita serves customers around the world, with over 20,000 employees in 65 main production sites (including raw material sites), 12 recycling facilities and more than 70 sales offices. RHI Magnesita intends to leverage its leadership in terms of revenue, scale, product portfolio and diversified geographic presence to target strategically those countries and regions benefiting from more dynamic economic growth prospects.

The Group is listed within the Equity Shares (Commercial Companies) category (“ESCC”) of the Official List of the London Stock Exchange (symbol: RHIM) and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 index, with a secondary listing on the Vienna Stock Exchange (Wiener Börse). For more information, please visit: www.rhimagnesita.com

For further inquiries, please contact:

Abhijit Borah
Head of Global Communications & Public Affairs
abhijit.borah@rhimagnesita.com
 +43 699 1870 6728

Joseph Waldstein
Global Public Relations
 joseph.waldstein@rhimagnesita.com
 +43 699 1870 6106

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Despite ongoing macroeconomic pressure and weak demand across core markets, RHI Magnesita is maintaining its commitment to community development, confirming a €1.64 million investment in 2025 across the five regions where it operates. The focus: long-term impact in education, healthcare, and sustainability – with a growing emphasis on environmental resilience.  

RHI Magnesita’s investments are increasingly targeted, directing funding where it has greatest impact – from rural healthcare to youth development. 

Simone Oremovic, Executive Vice President, People, Projects & Value Chain said:  
“This continued incremental investment reflects our unwavering dedication to making a tangible difference in the communities where we operate. From strengthening healthcare access to expanding education opportunities and pioneering environmental programs, we are working alongside our partners to drive real, positive change.” 

These investments go beyond financial support — they empower people and strengthen local communities. In 2024 alone, RHIM community initiatives provided healthcare access to over 10,000 residents in rural India, created sustainable income for 40 families in Brazil through recycling programs, and supported over 3,000 students in China with environmental education. By investing in education, health, and sustainability, the company is helping individuals and communities build lasting resilience and holistic development. 

 
Doubling Commitment to Environmental Initiatives 
 
In 2025, RHI Magnesita will double its funding for environmental programs, expanding projects in sustainable agriculture, circular economy models, and environmental education. These initiatives integrate social components, such as income generation and skills development, ensuring lasting benefits for local communities. 

 
Investing in Health, Education, and Sustainability 
 
RHI Magnesita’s community investments focus on three core pillars: 

Health & Wellbeing – Supporting hospitals, clinics, and mental health initiatives to enhance healthcare access. 

Education & Youth Development – Ensuring access to quality education, vocational training, and scholarships to empower the next generation. 

Environmental Responsibility – Promoting conservation, waste reduction, and sustainability practices that benefit both communities and ecosystems. 

In addition, the company continues to support cultural heritage preservation and rural transformation, particularly in regions where infrastructure development is needed. 

 
A Growing Legacy of Social Responsibility 
Over the past four years, RHI Magnesita has invested over €4.3 million globally to support initiatives in education, environmental protection, and healthcare, benefiting communities surrounding its operational sites.

Local CSR and community activity teams play a key role in identifying and executing impactful projects, ensuring that investments are tailored to each region’s most pressing needs.

Download our Community Fact Sheet – April 2025, now available with expanded data insights and inspiring success stories from a selection of ongoing community projects.

About RHI Magnesita

RHI Magnesita is the leading global supplier of high-grade refractory products, systems and solutions which are critical for high-temperature processes exceeding 1,200°C in a wide range of industries, including steel, cement, non-ferrous metals and glass. With a vertically integrated value chain, from raw materials to refractory products and full performance-based solutions, RHI Magnesita serves customers around the world, with over 20,000 employees in 65 main production sites (including raw material sites), 12 recycling facilities and more than 70 sales offices. RHI Magnesita intends to leverage its leadership in terms of revenue, scale, product portfolio and diversified geographic presence to target strategically those countries and regions benefiting from more dynamic economic growth prospects.

The Group is listed within the Equity Shares (Commercial Companies) category (“ESCC”) of the Official List of the London Stock Exchange (symbol: RHIM) and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 index, with a secondary listing on the Vienna Stock Exchange (Wiener Börse). For more information please visit: www.rhimagnesita.com

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RHI Magnesita is pleased to announce that the Board of Directors has proposed the appointment of Franz-Ferdinand Buerstedde as a Non-Independent, Non-Executive Director, to be voted on at the upcoming 2025 Annual General Meeting.

Franz-Ferdinand has been nominated by Rhône Capital, which currently holds approximately 24% of the Company through funds under its management. He brings significant international experience in private equity and investment management. A Managing Director at Rhône Capital since 2011, he has been with the firm since 2004 and has played a key role in a wide range of investments across the business services, consumer, energy, and industrial sectors. Prior to joining Rhône, he worked in the mergers and acquisitions division of Citigroup.

Rhône has a long-standing relationship with RHI Magnesita and was previously a key shareholder in Magnesita prior to the formation of the combined Group. As a strategic minority investor, Rhône brings deep sector knowledge and has expressed strong support for RHI Magnesita’s growth strategy, including its focus on total heat management solutions, backward integration, and sustainability leadership.

Chairman of the Board, Herbert Cordt commented: “We look forward to welcoming Franz-Ferdinand onto the Board of RHI Magnesita and benefitting from his extensive experience.”

Franz-Ferdinand holds Master’s degrees in Management from ESCP-EAP and in Finance from the London Business School, both with distinction. Earlier in his career, he served as a second lieutenant in German Army Intelligence.

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Vienna, January 29, 2025 – RHI Magnesita, the global leader in refractories, was showcased at the UN Climate Conference in Baku (COP29) for its CCUpScale project as part of the Net-Zero Industries Award 2024. The company has now officially received the Outstanding Projects Award in Austria. 

The groundbreaking CCUpScale project, a collaboration with the cleantech start-up MCi Carbon, highlights RHI Magnesita’s strong commitment to decarbonizing so-called “hard-to-abate” industries. With a total of 70 submissions from 26 countries, the Net-Zero Industries Award 2024 served as an international platform for pioneering industrial decarbonization projects. Through CCUpScale, RHI Magnesita is setting new standards in Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) by transforming CO₂ emissions into valuable mineral products using innovative technologies. These approaches pave the way for transitioning the refractory industry—one of the most emission-intensive sectors—and other CO₂-heavy industries into a more climate-neutral and sustainable future. 

“This award is further proof that we are on the right track. It confirms that our innovations are driving sustainability in the refractory industry—and beyond,” says Rajah Jayendran, Chief Technology Officer. “We are proud of our team and their active role in contributing to a climate-neutral future with CCU.” 

Constantin Beelitz, Regional President Europe, CIS & Türkiye, adds: “There is great excitement about this recognition at our raw materials plant in Hochfilzen. With our CCU technology, we will have decarbonized the site by 90% by the early 2030s. I am honored to accept this award on behalf of all my colleagues in Hochfilzen.” 

“Our success demonstrates the importance of innovation and international collaboration in tackling the challenges of emissions in “hard-to-abate” industries,” says Martin Pischler, Head of Sustainability Technology, who received the award in Linz. 

The Net-Zero Industries Award is presented by Mission Innovation Net-Zero Industries, a global alliance supported by countries such as Austria, Australia, Canada, China, Finland, Germany, South Korea, the UK, the USA, and the EU. Its goal is to develop and implement cost-efficient and effective solutions for a climate-neutral industrial future. 

About RHI Magnesita 

RHI Magnesita is the leading global supplier of high-grade refractory products, systems and solutions which are critical for high-temperature processes exceeding 1,200°C in a wide range of industries, including steel, cement, non-ferrous metals and glass. With a vertically integrated value chain, from raw materials to refractory products and full performance-based solutions, RHI Magnesita serves customers around the world, with over 20,000 employees in 67 main production sites (including raw material sites), 12 recycling facilities and more than 70 sales offices. RHI Magnesita intends to leverage its leadership in terms of revenue, scale, product portfolio and diversified geographic presence to target strategically those countries and regions benefitting from more dynamic economic growth prospects. 

The Group is listed within the Equity Shares (Commercial Companies) category (“ESCC”) of the Official List of the London Stock Exchange (symbol: RHIM) and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 index, with a secondary listing on the Vienna Stock Exchange (Wiener Börse). For more information please visit: www.rhimagnesita.com 

About Net-Zero Industries Mission and Mission Innovation The Net-Zero Industries  

Mission launched in 2022 and is the first ever global innovation coalition with the goal of developing and demonstrating cost-competitive solutions to create a net-zero industries future. The Mission is led by Austria and Australia, in collaboration with Canada, China, the European Commission, Finland, Germany, the Republic of Korea, the UK and the USA, and will deliver at least 50 large-scale demonstration projects around the world by 2030. The Net-Zero Industries Mission members alone are responsible for 50% of global industrial emissions and USD $13.45B in annual research, development and demonstration investments in 2021. Since its launch, the Mission has released an innovation roadmap titled ‘Towards Net-Zero Industries’, as well as the recent Action Plan which outlines the actions needed to reach Mission goals. The NIM unveiled its first Country Insight Report at CEM15/MI-9 in October 2024. The report analyses the hard-to-abate industries in the mission’s core member nations, offering insights into each country’s approach to achieving net-zero in key industrial sectors. This report highlights industry emissions data, economic figures, policies, R&D strategies, funding programs, and flagship projects, providing a crucial resource for understanding global efforts to transform industries and tackle climate challenges. Read more about the NIM: Net-Zero Industries – Mission Innovation. 

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CCUpScale project secures over € 3.8 million in initial funding

Vienna, 16 January 2025 – As part of the Australia-Austria Industrial Decarbonisation Demonstration Partnership Program, RHI Magnesita, MCi Carbon (MCi), the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT), and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) receive € 3.8 million in funding for the CCUpScale project. The funding is provided by the Austrian Climate and Energy Fund, supported by the Austrian Ministry for Climate Action, Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) and the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). This project aims to further develop MCi Carbon’s mineral carbonation technology and support RHI Magnesita’s plans to build the world’s first Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) plant in the refractory industry in Hochfilzen, Austria.

Technological milestones for a CO₂-negative future

Since 2023, RHI Magnesita, the global leader in the refractory industry, has invested millions of euros into the innovative Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) technology developed by the Australian clean-tech startup MCi Carbon. This technology aims to transform the refractory industry and neutralize CO₂ emissions. With the € 3.8 million in funding, key advancements such as raw material analyses, pre-demonstration trials, low carbon product development, process engineering for scaling, and industrial integrations can now be pursued. This marks a decisive step toward the construction of the world’s first CCU pilot plant for the refractory industry in Hochfilzen, Tyrol, which is planned to be operational at RHI Magnesita’s facility in 2028.

The plant will capture, convert, and utilize 50,000 tons of CO₂ annually to produce CO₂-negative mineral value-added products.

RHI Magnesita plans to deploy MCi Carbon’s CCU technology to significantly reduce its Scope 1 emissions. “This funding approval shows that we are on the right track with this project. For industries with unavoidable emissions like ours, CO₂ capture is currently the only viable path to achieve net-zero by 2050. However, we go one step further by not only capturing CO₂ but also converting it into products that provide solutions for us and other hard-to-decarbonize sectors, such as the cement industry,” explained Constantin Beelitz, Regional President Europe, CIS & Türkiye at RHI Magnesita.

“MCi Carbon is committed to advancing innovative, scalable solutions for decarbonising the world’s most challenging industries. RHI Magnesita is an excellent partner, investor and customer,” said Marcus Dawe, CEO of MCi Carbon.

Decarbonization requires international collaboration

Austria’s Climate Minister Leonore Gewessler also emphasized the importance of the project: “This project demonstrates how innovation and international collaboration can help us achieve our climate goals. Initiatives like CCUpScale allow us to accelerate the transformation to a climate-neutral industry while advancing global solutions for CO₂ utilization.”

Australia’s Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen flagged the importance of international collaboration to drive innovation, “projects like this deepen and expand our international bilateral efforts to reduce embedded carbon and we value the collaboration with our Austrian partners to support innovative decarbonisation technologies and solutions. Projects such as CCUpScale will deliver real, tangible progress—reducing emissions at their source, cutting embedded carbon in our buildings, and demonstrating the value of these innovative projects”.

Bernd Vogl, Managing Director of the Climate and Energy Fund: “Carbon capture and utilization is a topic we have been addressing in our research programs for several years. By doing so, we support the domestic industry in building expertise and swiftly implementing corresponding solutions. With this project, RHI Magnesita is pioneering in Austria, and we are very proud to contribute to the realization of the pilot plant.”

About RHI Magnesita

RHI Magnesita is the leading global supplier of high-grade refractory products, systems and solutions which are critical for high-temperature processes exceeding 1,200°C in a wide range of industries, including steel, cement, non-ferrous metals and glass. With a vertically integrated value chain, from raw materials to refractory products and full performance-based solutions, RHI Magnesita serves customers around the world, with over 20,000 employees in 67 main production sites (including raw material sites), 12 recycling facilities and more than 70 sales offices. RHI Magnesita intends to leverage its leadership in terms of revenue, scale, product portfolio and diversified geographic presence to target strategically those countries and regions benefiting from more dynamic economic growth prospects.

The Group is listed within the Equity Shares (Commercial Companies) category (“ESCC”) of the Official List of the London Stock Exchange (symbol: RHIM) and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 index, with a secondary listing on the Vienna Stock Exchange (Wiener Börse). For more information please visit: www.rhimagnesita.com

About MCi Carbon

MCi Carbon is a pioneering Australian clean technology company dedicated to transforming CO₂ emissions into valuable building materials through its mineral carbonation technology. With a mission to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors, MCi Carbon operates the world’s first mineral carbonation demonstration plant in Newcastle, Australia. For more information, please visit mcicarbon.com/

The post RHI Magnesita and MCi Carbon take a step closer to establishing the world’s first CCU plant in the refractory industry in Austria appeared first on RHI Magnesita.

Hello Stefan, Season’s Greetings to you! What are the first things that come to your mind when you hear the words: success, Christmas, RHI Magnesita?

Season’s greetings to you too and to all our colleagues, customers, investors and partners. To me success is safety, resilience, and progress; Christmas is about community of people, gratitude – from a business perspective all these success and Christmas elements come together in RHI Magnesita: global, responsible leadership.

If you would like to host a Christmas holiday party for the whole of RHIM, what would be the theme?

The theme I would choose this year is ‘Building the Future Together Now,’ a concept that not only celebrates our past achievements but looks forward with optimism and purpose. This theme embodies a shared vision—a commitment to working together toward a future shaped by digitalization, delivering progress, cleaner environment and meticulous execution. It would highlight a kind of collaboration, where every contribution matters and strengthens our collective success. It underscores our joint commitment to safety as a cornerstone of everything we do, ensuring the well-being of our people and communities. It would place a strong focus on sustainability, reminding us of our responsibility to protect and preserve resources for generations to come.

If you could give your team one superpower for the new year, what would it be and how would it help the company?

If I could grant them a superpower, it would be the gift of fast decision making: the world has become so uncertain, that the courage to take decisions with some uncertainty has become key. Combined with the ability to anticipate and adapt to changes as they occur with again a swift decision. This would empower us to stay ahead of external challenges and continue to lead the industry with confidence.

How would you sum up the year 2024 for RHIM in one sentence?

2024 was a year of great hope which descended to be one of the most challenging in decades: the continued market downturn, the uncertain geo-politics, and mounting levels of bureaucracy are testing our agility and resilience. We are challenged to find innovative ways to sustain our business in order to successfully create value for all our stakeholders.

How has the global economic landscape influenced the company’s strategic decisions this year?

Profoundly! Key factors include the ongoing demand downturn, geopolitical disruptions, increasing trade barriers and structural shifts in major economies. These, together with a prolonged industrial stagnation, rising protectionism, the decline in traditional supply chains and structurally rising, but still volatile, raw material and sea freight cost have compelled us to rethink. For instance, the structural transformation in China from a supply and volume – driven to a demand, quality & value – driven economy has created short term imbalances in global trade, further complicating the business environment. Western economies are experiencing an industrial recession due to reduced demand in construction and transport sectors, while even previously optimistic regions like India and the Middle East are witnessing short-term weaknesses. In response RHIM has emphasised adaptability, discipline, and innovation. Recognizing overcapacity as a pressing issue, RHI Magnesita has prioritized value-addition strategies, focused on sustainability, and pursued acquisitions. This approach reflects a strategic adaptation to mitigate the uncertainties of a transformed global economy​.

According to you, what were the main achievements of RHI Magnesita in 2024?

Despite our own internal subjective disappointment with the year, objectively we’ve continued to demonstrate operational and financial resilience through the dedication and hard work of our teams. As the global leader in heat management, we have not stood still but are using this period to prepare for the future. When our customers choose RHI Magnesita, they choose high performance products and services for their applications, a collaborative relationship based on the true spirit of partnership, a team of people upholding commitment to safety and continuous improvement of their production, and a company that is actively pursuing low-carbon and circularity initiatives to make our planet sustainable. These principles are at the core of our new holistic solution contract named 4PRO. Internally, we have made huge progress in upgrading our global digital architecture and connected delivery platform: RHIM is investing over €100m until 2027 to re-build our global end-to-end value chain for a step- change in improving our service to our customers.

The safety and well-being of our people continued to be our top value. This year we have started to fundamentally transform our safety culture in order to achieve zero accidents in all of RHIM’s production plants and at all of our operations at customer sites. Furthermore, with almost €1m of personal donations as a starting fund, RHIM’s employees & Board of Directors have instituted RHI Magnesita HELP – an independent non-profit association that offers fast, unbureaucratic support for persons and their families around the world who have been affected by work-related accidents. The scope includes RHI Magnesita, its operating communities, its business partners, contractors, customers, and suppliers.

The refractory industry is by nature a ‘hard-to-abate’ industry, but we are committed to seeking new ways to eliminate CO2 emissions from our operations and our global supply chain in the long term. Since 2018, we’ve delivered positive change: Ongoing investments in CO2 emissions avoidance and Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage has resulted in 1.6 Mt CO2 emissions savings since 2018 (more than 20% of our scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions). We have made significant investments in recycling: 13.2% of the raw materials we now use globally comes from our customers « spent refractories ». We aim to take this to 15% by the end of next year and to 20% in 2030. This requires ongoing technology development to uphold the best refractory performance in the world. We are looking forward to a “circular” collaboration with all of our business partners. Our customers have validated RHIM’s sustainability leadership in the industry during 2024 by awarding us several very large green steel projects, for Direct Reduction, Open Bath, Electric Arc, and Basic Oxygen furnaces, all essential for the large-scale adoption of green steel production globally.

Customers have also shown strong satisfaction with the ongoing improvements in the offering, as evidenced by record-high net promoter scores and PIFOT (Produced in Full and On Time) metrics, which reached new peaks in Q3.

During 2024, we continued to seamlessly integrate the people, products, and processes of 9 companies that we’ve acquired in last 3 years, creating synergies and driving value for all our stakeholders. Our acquisition strategy continues with the pending acquisition of Resco Group (enterprise value of up to $430 million), with anticipated completion in Q1 2025.

In 2024, we embarked on a journey to drive better service delivery for customers and create more career opportunities for our employees working in shared services. We have transitioned most of our global shared services operations to Capgemini, a global leader in process design, digital transformation, and shared service operations. Capgemini will play a key role in supporting the implementation of our new ERP system, which is expected to be delivered between mid-2025 and mid-2027. Many thanks to our colleagues in the shared service centres for their past and future dedication and performance.

Year after year, RHIM’s Global Trainee Program is becoming attractive to more and more people. This year, we saw a record number of applicants, and 20 trainees joined RHIM, most of them women. We are thrilled that these young and talented individuals have chosen us as the starting point for their professional careers.

What goals are on your vision board for yourself and the company for next year?

I would like to see every aspect of RHIM become much safer. For this it would be crucial for everyone at RHIM to play an active part in the safety culture transformation. After that, I would further like to see us strengthening our core culture values to be more customer focussed and deliver across our growing footprint everywhere. 

I wish that RHIM accelerates the business transformation driven by the digital transformation. This will make us future ready so that we can lead the industry through the 21^st century. This requires a further improvement of operational excellence and supply chain delivery performance and the optimisation of our “administrative factory”. 

We will continue to focus on disciplined growth through partnerships and acquisitions. The integration of products, processes and especially people of the acquired business will continue be a clear priority. This also allows us to explore further optimisation of our production networks to improve customer experience, adapt to the changing global market environment and of course to deliver shareholder value.

We will continue to build industry opinion and administrative policy support for decarbonizing the refractory value chain, especially the raw materials, together with our suppliers, and invest on new technologies for carbon capture and utilization and recycling for making positive impact on emission control.

Making our industry more attractive for young talent worldwide, particularly women must continue. Diversification of our talents and leaders is essential for sustained performance growth for a global company that we are now.

Personally, I remain committed in the new year to fostering a culture of openness, collaboration and personal accountability to deliver. I hope I can inspire all of RHIM’s employees to achieve these goals, ensuring together that we leave a positive impact.

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