Arab Finance: Vienna-headquartered refractory products supplier RHI Magnesita is considering establishing a factory in Egypt to manufacture integrated refractories for heavy industries, according to a Ministry of Industry statement.

Minister of Industry Khaled Hashem reviewed the proposed project with Hakimuddin Ali, RHI Magnesita’s regional president for the Middle East, Türkiye, and Africa, as part of the ministry’s efforts to deepen heavy industries and localize complementary manufacturing.

RHI Magnesita produces refractory products used in the iron, cement, aluminum, copper, and glass industries. During the meeting, the two sides reviewed its international operations and its acquisitions of several Asian companies in recent years.

Hashem said the proposed project aligns with the ministry’s plan to transfer and localize industrial technologies, aiming to strengthen the competitiveness of Egyptian products in overseas markets.

He added that the updated Egyptian Industry Strategy 2030 pays significant attention to refractories as a complementary industry required for building materials and metal production. These materials are also used across engineering industries and projects implemented nationwide.

According to the minister, local production by RHI Magnesita could help meet demand in Egypt’s domestic market while supporting exports to other Middle Eastern countries.

Hashem also noted that Egypt has become an attractive market for major international companies specializing in technology-driven heavy industries.

For his part, Ali described Egypt as one of the Middle East’s most important markets for the company, citing the availability of high-purity raw materials required for manufacturing.

He added that RHI Magnesita operates across the production chain, from raw materials to finished products, alongside its recycling activities and digital solutions for different markets.