As with many other elements of the metal casting process refractories used to safely line furnaces and ladles continues to evolve, both for production and health/environmental reasons.

This technical lecture on the application of refractories for melting and pouring metal, delivered by Dirk Holland of Calderys UK to the West Midlands, Birmingham & Coventry Branch of the Institute of Cast Metals Engineers in October 2021, demonstrated the evolution of refractory materials to help reduce curing time, improve energy efficiency of furnaces and the reduction of raw materials needed, to optimise furnace up time and reduce exposure to vibration during wrecking processes for the castings industry.