PRE released its COVID-19 position statement on 30 March 2020, The statement emphasizes the role of refractories as an essential industry. The temporary closing of non-essential businesses to keep COVID-19 from spreading are creating challenges for many countries and across many industries. Governing bodies need to recognize refractories as a critical industry that must continue to operate. Refractories play a critical role in the daily operations of almost every sector of manufacturing. These ceramic materials are essential for all heat-intensive production processes. Without refractories, important industries and the products they produce would not exist.