Iron & Steelmaking Raw Materials
Global Sourcing of Iron-Bearing Materials for the Steel Industry
Global Sourcing of Iron-Bearing Materials for the Steel Industry
Overview Iron and steelmaking raw materials are essential to efficient and consistent steel production. Their chemical composition, metallic iron content, metallization, physical properties and impurity levels influence furnace performance, metallic yield, slag formation and overall operating efficiency. ROSHA STEEL facilitates the international sourcing and trading of iron-bearing materials and metallic feedstocks for steel producers, industrial buyers and international trading partners. Our product portfolio covers Direct Reduced Iron (DRI), Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI), Cold Briquetted Iron (CBI) and Iron Ore Pellets. We support specification-based procurement through supplier coordination, technical documentation review, commercial negotiations and international logistics arrangements.
01 — Our Product Range
-Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) High-Metallization Metallic Feedstock Direct Reduced Iron, commonly known as sponge iron, is produced through the solid-state reduction of iron oxides without melting the iron. It provides metallic iron units for electric arc furnace steelmaking and other technically suitable applications. Its principal quality parameters include total iron, metallic iron, metallization, carbon content, gangue composition and particle-size distribution. -Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI) Densified Iron Units for Steelmaking Hot Briquetted Iron is a high-density form of direct reduced iron produced by compacting hot DRI into briquettes. Its relatively low porosity and high density provide handling and transport advantages compared with conventional porous DRI. HBI is used primarily in electric arc furnace steelmaking and may also be used in selected blast furnace and basic oxygen furnace applications. -Cold Briquetted Iron (CBI) Cold-Compacted Iron-Bearing Feedstock Cold Briquetted Iron is produced by compacting suitable iron-bearing feedstock at relatively low temperatures. Its chemical composition, metallic iron content, density and mechanical strength depend on the original feedstock, briquetting process and binder system, where applicable. Each CBI product must therefore be evaluated against its specific laboratory analysis and physical test results. -Iron Ore Pellets Engineered Iron Oxide Feedstock Iron ore pellets are agglomerated iron-bearing materials used in ironmaking and direct reduction processes. Their controlled particle size, chemical composition, physical strength and reduction characteristics support their use in suitable blast furnace and direct reduction operations. Product Categories: Blast Furnace (BF) Grade and Direct Reduction (DR) Grade.
02 — Chemical & Metallurgical Analysis
DRI & HBI — Typical Industrial Reference Analysis
| Parameter | DRI | HBI | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Iron (Fe Total) | 86.1–93.5 | 88.3–94.0 | wt.% |
| Metallic Iron (Fe Metallic) | 81.0–87.9 | 83.0–88.4 | wt.% |
| Metallization | 92–96 | Approx. 94 | % |
| Carbon (C) | 1.0–4.5 | 0.5–1.6 | wt.% |
| Sulfur (S) | 0.001–0.030 | 0.001–0.030 | wt.% |
| Phosphorus Pentoxide (P2O5) | 0.005–0.090 | 0.005–0.090 | wt.% |
| Gangue | 3.9–8.4 | 3.9–8.6 | wt.% |
Reference: International Iron Metallics Association (IIMA), general DRI and HBI product characteristics. The values are indicative industrial reference ranges derived from published product data. They do not constitute a single guaranteed grade, certified shipment analysis or contractual quality commitment. Metallization (%) = Metallic Fe (%) ÷ Total Fe (%) × 100 For an actual material lot, total iron, metallic iron and metallization must be consistent with the laboratory analysis.
CBI — Chemical & Metallurgical Specification
| Parameter | Technical Specification Basis |
|---|---|
| Total Iron (Fe Total) | Verified supplier analysis |
| Metallic Iron (Fe Metallic) | Verified supplier analysis |
| Metallization | Calculated from tested Fe values |
| Carbon (C) | Feedstock-specific analysis |
| Sulfur (S) | Laboratory analysis |
| Phosphorus (P) | Laboratory analysis |
| Silica (SiO2) | Laboratory analysis |
| Alumina (Al2O3) | Laboratory analysis |
| CaO / MgO | As applicable |
| Moisture | Lot-specific measurement |
| Binder Content | Declared where applicable |
CBI does not have a universally applicable chemical composition. Numerical acceptance limits must be agreed for the specific feedstock and briquetting process.
Iron Ore Pellets — Chemical Analysis
| Parameter | BF Grade | DR Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Total Iron (Fe) | Agreed grade specification | Agreed grade specification |
| Silica (SiO2) | Specified limit | Specified limit |
| Alumina (Al2O3) | Specified limit | Specified limit |
| Calcium Oxide (CaO) | As specified | As specified |
| Magnesium Oxide (MgO) | As specified | As specified |
| Phosphorus (P) | Maximum agreed | Maximum agreed |
| Sulfur (S) | Maximum agreed | Maximum agreed |
| Ferrous Oxide (FeO) | Where specified | Where specified |
| Basicity (CaO/SiO2) | Where applicable | Where applicable |
| Moisture | Contractual limit | Contractual limit |
BF and DR pellet grades are evaluated against different process requirements. Exact chemical values must be established through supplier product specifications and representative laboratory testing.
03 — Physical & Technical Specifications
DRI & HBI — Typical Physical Characteristics
| Parameter | DRI | HBI |
|---|---|---|
| Product Form | Pellets / Lumps | Hot-Compacted Briquettes |
| Typical Size | 4–20 mm | 90–140 × 48–58 × 32–34 mm |
| Apparent Density | 3.4–3.6 t/m3 | Greater than 5.0 t/m3 |
| Bulk Density | 1.6–1.9 t/m3 | 2.5–3.3 t/m3 |
| Fines / Chips | Shipment-specific | Typically ≤5% in referenced profile |
| Moisture | Shipment-specific | Shipment-specific |
CBI — Physical Specification
| Parameter | Technical Requirement |
|---|---|
| Briquette Dimensions | Supplier-specific |
| Apparent Density | Tested value |
| Bulk Density | Tested value |
| Crushing Strength | Agreed test method |
| Drop / Shatter Resistance | Agreed test method |
| Fines Generation | Agreed limit |
| Moisture | Tested and controlled |
| Binder Type | Declared where applicable |
Iron Ore Pellets — Physical & Metallurgical Specification
| Parameter | BF Grade | DR Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Pellet Size Distribution | Agreed specification | Agreed specification |
| Cold Crushing Strength | Tested | Tested |
| Tumble Index | Tested | Tested |
| Abrasion Index | Tested | Tested |
| Reducibility | As required | As required |
| Reduction Swelling | As required | As required |
| Low-Temperature Degradation | Where applicable | Where applicable |
| Bulk Density | Tested | Tested |
| Moisture | Agreed limit | Agreed limit |
Pellet acceptance criteria must be established according to the intended ironmaking process and agreed supplier specifications.
04 — Quality Assurance & Testing Standards
Product quality is assessed through representative sampling, chemical analysis and relevant physical or metallurgical testing.
Applicable test methods may include:
| Test / Parameter | Reference |
|---|---|
| Metallic Iron in DRI / HBI | ISO 5416 or another validated applicable method |
| Pellet Crushing Strength | ISO 4700 |
| Tumble & Abrasion Indices | ISO 3271 |
| Particle-Size Distribution | ISO 4701, where applicable |
| Moisture Determination | Applicable product-specific test method |
| Carbon, Sulfur & Other Elements | Agreed validated laboratory methods |
| Metallization | Calculation from tested metallic and total iron |
Technical documentation may include Certificates of Analysis, chemical and physical test reports, certificates of weight, certificates of origin and independent inspection reports, as agreed for the transaction.
05 — Industrial Applications
Electric Arc Furnace Steelmaking Blast Furnace Ironmaking Direct Reduction Operations Basic Oxygen Furnace Applications, Where Technically Suitable Metallic Charge Optimization
06 — International Sourcing & Trade Coordination
ROSHA STEEL supports international buyers through specification-based material sourcing, supplier coordination, technical documentation review, commercial negotiations and logistics arrangements. Our role is to facilitate international trade and procurement, connecting industrial buyers with suitable supply opportunities according to their quality, quantity and delivery requirements.
07 — Request a Technical & Commercial Offer
Reliable Iron Units. Specification-Driven International Trade. For a technical and commercial quotation, please provide the required material type, target chemical analysis, physical specifications, quantity, destination, inspection requirements and preferred delivery terms.