In this article, you can find the top exporters (suppliers) of Sponge Iron, also known as DRI. Direct reduced iron, also called sponge iron, is produced from the direct reduction of iron ore to iron by a reducing gas or elemental carbon produced from natural gas or coal (Wikipedia). In some models, Sponge Iron is the category for HBI (Hot Briquette Iron), CDRI (Cold DRI) and HDRI (Hot DRI).
We have gathered information on top suppliers (Exporters) of Sponge Iron from various reliable sources, including Comtrade (international database of United Nations), Midrex yearly booklet, and WorldSteel statistics.
World Top Suppliers by Country
According to the Monthly statistics report published for the year 2018 by the World Steel Association, the top countries by exports of Sponge Iron were (numbers are in Thousand Metric Tons):
- Russia (2,585 Tt)
- Malaysia (464 Tt)
- India (428 Tt)
- USA (412 Tt)
- Iran (345 Tt)
- Venezuela (322 Tt)
- Belgium (111 Tt)
Sponge Iron international trade flow
Major trade routes for international trade of DRI, according to Comtrade data visualized by resresourcetrade.earth , are mapped:
According to statistics provided by the major exporters in Comtrade, the largest flows of exports of «DRI» in 2018 were:
- Exports from Belgium to France: ($60 million according to external trade statistics of Belgium)
- Exports from India to Bangladesh: ($126 million according to external trade statistics of India)
- Exports from Malaysia to Korea: ($147 million according to external trade statistics of Malaysia)
- Exports from Russia to these destinations (according to external trade statistics of Russia):
- Algeria ($65m)
- Belarus ($76m)
- Belgium ($60m)
- Germany ($81m)
- Italy ($485m)
- Spain ($132m)
- Uzbekistan ($53m)
Largest Sponge Iron producers by region
In 2018, the Middle East produced almost half of DRI in the world, followed by Asia/Oceania, which was second at 28%. In this infographic, the Midrex team has gathered the information for overall production within the span of three consecutive years:
* Note: This is production numbers. Exports are much smaller (~2.5 Mt for Russia).
Sponge Iron manufactures list (+Contact info)
Major well-known plants manufacturing Sponge Iron segmented by appropriate countries are listed. Every name is linked to the corresponding website and contact information:
- Arijco :
- if you want our information please contact us.
- OEMK I – IV
- Lion DRI Sdn Bhd
- Antara Steel Mills
- Perwaja Holdings Bhd
- Nucor Steel Louisiana
Sources: