Refractory products were produced at territory of Russia 2500 years ago. However, the first industrial production of refractory products was organized in 1701, when the first metallurgical plant was built. V. de Gennin published book on 'Description of Ural and Siberian plants in 1735. Technology for producing the refractories was described in the book. Development of refractory production was connected with operation of open-hearth and electric arc furnaces and basic oxygen processes. The first specialized plant for manufacturing the magnesia refractories was built in 1901. About 3.3 million tonnes of refractories were produced in Russia including 2.6 million tonnes in Ural region.