Refractory Raw Materials (Calcined Bauxite, Fused Alumina, DBM)

Calcined bauxite, brown fused alumina and dead-burned magnesia by Al₂O₃, MgO, iron and density

Refractories line the ladles, furnaces and kilns of the steel, cement and glass industries, and they are made from a short list of high-alumina and magnesia grains. Refractory-grade calcined bauxite is natural bauxite fired at 1,400–1,650 °C in rotary or shaft kilns to drive off combined water and form a dense high-alumina grain; it runs 84–88% Al₂O₃ and higher, and a typical specification reads Al₂O₃ 90% minimum, Fe₂O₃ 1.5% maximum, SiO₂ 3.5% maximum, TiO₂ 3.8% maximum, bulk density 3.25 g/cm³ minimum and moisture 0.3% maximum. Iron and alkalis are the enemies, because they lower the temperature at which the brick softens. Brown fused alumina is bauxite melted in an electric arc furnace into a corundum grain with Al₂O₃ 95% minimum, SiO₂ 1.5%, Fe₂O₃ 0.4% and TiO₂ 3% maximum and a density of about 4.10 g/cm³; it goes into shaped and unshaped refractories and into abrasives. Dead-burned magnesia, covered in depth on our magnesite page, is the basic counterpart for converter and ladle linings.

On the trade, 2024 export declarations under HS 2606 total about USD 2.48 billion, but that code mixes metallurgical bauxite for alumina refineries with refractory calcined bauxite, so its leaders (Australia 66.5%, Brazil 9.3%, Türkiye 6.9%, Guyana 4.6%) show where bauxite in general comes from, not refractory grain alone. Under HS 2818.10 (artificial corundum, including fused alumina), about USD 1.17 billion, China leads at 60.9%, followed by Germany at 6.9%, France at 4.9% and the USA at 3.1%. China's 2026 export licence catalogue, effective 1 January 2026, lists bauxite and magnesite among goods requiring an export licence, so Chinese bauxite and magnesia grain ship only with a licence issued at origin. CBIL is a commodity brokerage company and brokers calcined bauxite, fused alumina and dead-burned magnesia against SGS, Bureau Veritas or Intertek analysis of Al₂O₃ or MgO, Fe₂O₃, SiO₂, TiO₂, CaO, bulk density and grain size, with the producer's certificate, a certificate of origin and, for Chinese material, the export licence. Supply is in 1 MT jumbo bags in containers, or in bulk for large lots, on FOB, CFR and CIF terms. Price is agreed per lot on grade and sizing; Fastmarkets, Argus and SMM publish refractory mineral assessments used as references. Send your Al₂O₃ or MgO floor, iron ceiling, bulk density, grain sizes and tonnage and we will work the producer to it.

Need the ship as well? Our chartering desk prices bulk limestone, gypsum and aggregates freight on LaycanDesk.

Excluded origins are not offered, including product re-exported, blended or re-processed through a third country. Every lot moves with a certificate of origin naming the producing plant, mine or grower country, and nothing is quoted before the seller and loading point are known.