United States Ambassador to Austria Trevor D. Traina got the chance to see the production of high-quality Austrian refractories using state-of-the-art technologies up close Wednesday morning. Chairman Herbert Cordt and Executive Vice President Thomas Jakowiak welcomed Traina to the production site in the Styrian city of Veitsch on behalf of RHI Magnesita.
After a brief journey through the plant’s proud, 138-year history at the on-site museum, Plant Manager Thomas Prietl showed the guest the recently modernized tunnel kiln. The new dust collection and desulfurization system not only brings the plant up to the latest technological standards, but also makes it a leader in terms of reducing emissions. A total of EUR 1.2 million was invested in the project.
The plant’s recycling system represents another important step in the area of sustainability, allowing roughly 18,000 metric tons of used refractory material from customers in the steel and cement industries to be sorted, reprocessed, and integrated into the production process.
Cordt was very pleased by the ambassador’s tremendous interest in the technologies employed: “For us as a global company and world market leader, the USA is naturally one of our most important markets worldwide. The Veitsch plant in particular supplies high-quality products primarily to customers in the US steel and cement industries, thus making a major contribution to their success.”
At the conclusion of the tour, Ambassador Traina expressed his gratitude for the informative exchange, saying, “Thank you very much for the impressive insights into the technologies of RHI Magnesita. They are essential for the leading key industries around the world, including in the USA.”
About RHI Magnesita
RHI Magnesita is the leading global supplier of high-grade refractory products, systems and solutions which are indispensable for industrial high-temperature processes exceeding 1,200°C in a wide range of industries, including steel, cement, non-ferrous metals and glass. With a vertically integrated value chain, from raw materials to refractory products and full performance-based solutions, RHI Magnesita serves customers in nearly all countries around the world.
The Company has a high level of geographic diversification with more than 14,000 employees in 35 main production sites and more than 70 sales offices around the world. RHI Magnesita intends to leverage its global leadership in terms of revenue, scale, product portfolio and diversified geographic presence to target strategically those countries and regions benefitting from more dynamic economic growth prospects.
Its shares have a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange (symbol: RHIM) and are a constituent of the FTSE 250 index. For more information please visit: www.rhimagnesita.com
