Press Release

November 20, 2002

Patent Granted for DRI-LITE® Product Line

Matrix Refractories Division of Allied Mineral Products, Inc. is proud to announce that its patent for Lightweight Dry Refractory was granted as of October 1, 2002.  Allied is currently marketing this technology under the DRI-LITE® and LADLE-LITE® trade names.

DRI-LITE ® products provide excellent insulating properties with the added benefits of being ready to use with no mixing, fast installation with minimal labor, and rapid heat up due to no water being involved.  These characteristics are unlike typical insulating castable products.  The unique properties of DRI-LITE® products make them an ideal back-up for refractory shapes or as a working lining in heat containment and molten metal contact environments.

LADLE-LITE® is a ladle safety lining that greatly reduces thermal loss.  The reduction in thermal loss lowers the energy cost to produce a ton of steel.  The improved heat retention minimizes thermal shock on the working lining as well as the thermal stress on the ladle shell.  LADLE-LITE® also creates the opportunity to decrease tap temperatures and ladle preheat cycles.  LADLE-LITE® will help achieve lower energy costs, reduced refractory consumption, and longer life for a ladle fleet while still providing superior safety performance.

Allied Mineral Products, Inc. is a leading producer of monolithic refractories for the foundry, steel, and aluminum industries worldwide.  Allied offers custom lining designs for optimum thermal and mechanical characteristics, leading edge refractory technology and personalized sales and service support.  Allied Mineral Products, Inc. has been independently owned and operated since 1961, is ISO 9002 certified, and employs over 220 people worldwide.  Primary manufacturing, research and corporate headquarters are located in Columbus, Ohio.