CRI-18 was attended by ~300 people, including attendees from 14 countries. The theme of the Conference was “Better Raw Materials, Better Performance, Better Service”. The meeting program included 42 papers, which provided the opportunity to (a) review the refractories progress and achievements in China and various other countries, in recent years, (b) assess new developments in research, development, production, and applications, (c) learn about new opportunities and challenges, and (d) promote further international business, exchange, and cooperation. The meeting was organized by Sinosteel LIRR, Chinese Society of Metals (Refractories Committee), Refractories Press, China, and the State Key Laboratory of Advanced Refractories, China. There were also 8 Chinese co-organizers, and 4 foreign co-organizers, including ISO/TC33 Technical Committee on Refractories, The Federation for International Refractory Research and Education, Refractories WORLDFORUM (Germany), and Indian Refractory Makers Association (IRMA). There were 8 sponsors.