CECAEN Rev 3
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Group 232

Manufacture of refractory products

This category covers the manufacture of products capable of withstanding very high temperatures, called refractory materials. Essentially, it produces special bricks, mortar, concrete and other ceramic articles used in industrial furnaces, incinerators, blast furnaces and thermal power plants. If your activity involves manufacturing materials that tolerate extreme heat without deforming or being destroyed, then you fall under CAEN code 232.

Included Activities & Applicability

  • ✅ Production of refractory bricks
  • ✅ blocks and tiles for furnaces Manufacture of refractory mortar and concrete Production of refractory ceramic articles Manufacture of fused silica products Manufacture of refractory products containing magnesium
  • ✅ chromium
  • ✅ zirconium
  • ✅ etc. Production of other refractory products (e.g.
  • ✅ graphite electrodes
  • ✅ crucibles)

Excluded Activities & Restrictions

  • ❌ Manufacture of non-refractory construction bricks
  • ❌ Production of thermal and sound insulating materials (including mineral wool)
  • ❌ Manufacture of glass and glass products
  • ❌ Manufacture of ceramic products for household use

Subordinate Structure

2320 Manufacture of refractory products
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Detailed Analysis & Commercial Insights

Refractory Materials Industry in Romania: A Pillar of Heavy Industry

The refractory materials industry in Romania is a discreet but essential pillar of the national economy. Although less visible than consumer sectors, it provides the technical substrate for heavy industries such as steelmaking, metallurgy, cement production, glass, ceramics, and petrochemicals. Without refractory products, industrial furnaces, blast furnaces, and incinerators could not operate at temperatures exceeding 1000 degrees Celsius, and the entire production chain would come to a standstill.

From a macroeconomic perspective, the local market has experienced mixed developments in the last decade. On one hand, the modernization and retooling of certain steel mills and cement plants have generated steady demand for high-quality refractory bricks and mortars. On the other hand, international competition, especially from European and Asian manufacturers, has put pressure on prices and profit margins of domestic firms.

One of the major challenges faced by entrepreneurs in this field is the high cost of raw materials such as alumina, magnesia, or zirconia, which are often imported. Additionally, manufacturing technologies are capital-intensive, and specialized labor is increasingly difficult to find. Another important aspect is the need to comply with strict technical and environmental standards, which requires continuous investment in certifications and filtration equipment.

Despite these difficulties, medium-term prospects are relatively favorable, given the growing interest in energy efficiency and recycling of refractory materials. In conclusion, activities under CAEN 232 remain a vital niche for supporting Romania's industrial infrastructure, and those who successfully combine tradition with innovation have real chances to establish themselves in a demanding but stable market.