Current Status of Direct Reduced Iron in the Steel Industry - Growth and usage for the Changing Terrain

by Christopher Ravenscroft

Publisher - Midrex Technologies, Inc.

Category - General Novel

Growing from what was once a niche position within the world steel industry, Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) now plays a substantial role as a metallic feedstock for EAF steelmaking. Over the past 40 years DRI output has progressively increased to a world wide production of 68.5 million tons per annum. DRI usage and technology has steadily advanced, from the hot briquetting technology implemented in the 1980s, to the hot transport of DRI to meltshops by conveyor systems and vessels in this decade. These advances provide for flexibility in product characteristics and can increase steel mill productivity and product quality. There are now more than 15 million tons per year (Mtpy) of new MIDREX® Direct Reduction Process capacity recently started up or under construction worldwide, over one-half of which is in the Middle East/North Africa. In addition, numerous projects are under development. These facilities incorporate the latest generation of MIDREX® Direct Reduction Technology, including hot discharge/hot transport/hot charging of DRI and multiple product forms. These technologies are exemplified in South East Asia by Antara Steel Mills’ first successful HBI facility and Lion’s new 1.54 Mtpy HBI/HDRI plant in Banting, Malaysia. This paper will review the current DRI industry with special focus on new MIDREX Plants flexibility and product forms.

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