Consolidation in the global refractories industries is set to continue as companies outside China struggle to secure reliable supplies of raw materials, according to Brazil’s Magnesita Refratários.China’s strategy to increase control over minerals production and exports has led to increasing prices for key refractory minerals such as graphite, bauxite and magnesia.“It is becoming harder and harder to source products like this from China and to get reasonable quality... prices are all over the place,” Magnesita’s chief financial officer Flavio Barbosa told IM.“There is a scarcity in the case of graphite... it is clearly not a reliable supply chain. Any company that is in this industry that is serious about being in business has to find a solution to their raw materials outside of China,” he added.The group’s strategy to counter China’s grip on supply is to develop alternative sources of refractory minerals, including the graphite mine it is developing in...