For decades, HWI has been known as a brick company.
Across some of the industry’s most demanding high-temperature applications, customers have relied on HWI for refractory brick engineered to deliver exceptional performance, reliability and service life. That legacy has helped establish HWI as a trusted name in refractories—and it remains an important part of who we are today.
But HWI is more than brick.
Our portfolio also includes a broad range of high-performance monolithic refractory solutions designed to meet the evolving needs of customers across industries and applications. From gunning and casting, to pumping, shotcreting, and precast solutions, HWI, A member of Calderys provides the materials, expertise, and technical support needed to build better-performing refractory linings.
And now, we’re putting a spotlight on them.
In the coming months, HWI will highlight the depth and capabilities of our full monolithic portfolio, showcasing the innovative materials, manufacturing capabilities, technical expertise, and application knowledge that help deliver solutions built for performance and engineered for every application.
More Than Just Withstanding the Heat
Today’s refractory linings are expected to do more than withstand high temperatures. They must perform through thermal cycling, mechanical wear, chemical attack and abrasion—all while helping operators control installation time, maintenance costs and downtime.
For many applications, monolithic refractories provide the flexibility and performance needed to meet those challenges.
Unlike traditional brick linings, monolithic refractories are installed as a continuous, joint-free or reduced-joint lining. Depending on the material and application, they can be cast, pumped, gunned, shotcreted, rammed or installed as precast components.
This flexibility allows refractory systems to be designed around the equipment, operating conditions and installation requirements—not the other way around.
For customers, however, selecting the right monolithic is more than choosing a material with the right chemistry or temperature rating. The installation method, lining design, raw materials, equipment, application expertise and service support all influence the final performance of a refractory lining.
That is where HWI brings additional value.
Understanding the Monolithic Advantage
Monolithic refractories encompass a broad family of materials, from lightweight insulating castables to high-alumina, abrasion-resistant and ultra-low-cement castables.
The right material depends on the application.
A refractory lining may need to prioritize:
- Thermal insulation to reduce heat loss and improve energy efficiency
- High strength to withstand mechanical and thermal stresses
- Abrasion resistance in areas exposed to aggressive material flow
- Chemical resistance against slag, alkalis, molten metal or process gases
- Thermal shock resistance for equipment experiencing frequent temperature changes
- Fast installation and turnaround when minimizing downtime is critical
- Reduced lining weight to lower structural loads and improve thermal efficiency
- Longer service life to reduce maintenance frequency and total operating cost
HWI’s monolithic portfolio is designed to address these requirements across a wide range of industries and applications, including iron and steel, aluminum, foundry, cement, petrochemical, refining, power generation and other high-temperature processing environments.
Built on Experience. Engineered for What’s Next.
As a member of the global Calderys group, customers can access a combination of North American manufacturing and distribution, deep application expertise, broad monolithic technology and global refractory resources.
We’ve built our reputation on brick. Now, we’re highlighting the monolithic solutions that help customers build for what’s next.
Better materials matter. Better engineering matters. But the greatest value comes when the two work together.
About HWI, A member of Calderys
HWI is one of the leading suppliers of refractory products and services in the United States, with a history that spans 160 years. It is part of Calderys and is the brand for the Americas region of the Group. HWI operates an extensive network of manufacturing sites and distribution centers across the Americas, along with the largest refractory industry research facility in North America. Serving virtually every major industry that requires refractory solutions to enhance production and protect assets, HWI is consistently recognized for its talented experts, industry firsts, and intensely driven excellence.
For more information, visit https://thinkhwi.com