A new production facility for lightweight refractory materials has opened in Missouri, increasing supply for furnace-lined industrial processes that operate at elevated temperatures. The materials support thermal insulation and durability in equipment used across sectors such as petrochemicals, aluminum, and power generation, where reliable furnace performance is essential to high-temperature manufacturing and other heat-intensive processing operations.
HWI, a member of Calderys, has opened a lightweight monolithics production facility in Fulton, Missouri. Built on existing HWI property at the company’s Rotary Kiln complex, the greenfield investment increases production capacity for lightweight refractory materials used to line heaters, reformers, boilers, crackers, and furnaces in a range of industrial applications.
The facility has direct access to local clay reserves, enabling vertical integration intended to support raw material consistency and supply reliability. Operational features include a furnace system used to produce GREENLITE® aggregate, along with robotic automation for packaging and material handling, as well as updated packaging capabilities.
President and CEO
Calderys Group
The added capacity is expected to shorten lead times, support make-to-stock inventory, and allow the company to pursue larger projects that were previously limited by supply constraints. Premium GREENLITE® products, including the GREENLITE®-45-L family of monolithics and GREENLITE® 115 AR brick, are now shipping through the company’s distribution network.
“Demand for these high-performance, energy-saving lightweight refractories continues to grow rapidly while global supply chains remain under pressure,” said Michel Cornelissen, president and CEO of Calderys Group.
Monolithic refractories provide insulation and structural stability for equipment operating in high-temperature environments. HWI’s GREENLITE® lightweight monolithics provide insulation with optimized strength-to-density ratios that help minimize heat loss, reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, extend campaign life, and enable longer service intervals. These, in turn, help clients lower operating costs and improve energy efficiency while maintaining productivity and reliability.
Press release is available in its original form here.
Main image shows the ribbon cutting with local officials at the Fulton plant. Image Credit: HWI
