2023

WORLD
DIRECT
REDUCTION
STATISTICS

THE WORLD LEADER IN DIRECT REDUCTION TECHNOLOGY

THE WORLD LEADER IN DIRECT REDUCTION TECHNOLOGY
CONTENTS
2 World DRI
Production

7 World DRI
Production by
Region/Year

8 World DRI
Production Tables

10 Major Trade R
for International T
of DRI

12 World DRI
Shipments

13 World Direct
Reduction Plants
 2023 Top 5 DRI Producing Nat
Source: World Steel Association, SIMA, and Midrex Techno

Annual global direct reduced iron (DRI) production in based DRI production in Iran grew by 17.3%. New
2023 was 135.7 million tons (Mt). DRI output was up gas-based plants were started in Algeria, USA,
by 8.3Mt or 6.5% from the previous record of 127.4 Mt set In the last 10 years, DRI production has grown by
2022. This increase was primarily due to the increase in or approximately 82%. In this last decade, shaft furn
produced in India via rotary-kilns (4.6Mt / 12.9%) and production increased by 33Mt (56%) and rotary-kiln by
gas based shaft furnaces (3.7Mt / 4.1%). Once 25Mt
again, the combination of India and Iran produced well The production of hot DRI (HDRI), which is fed directl
half of the global DRI. In the last five years, worldwide a nearby melt shop for energy savings and productiv
DRI output has grown by almost 27.6 Mt, or approximately was 15.0 Mt, an 8% increase compared to 2022, a
25.6%. During this period, DRI production in India (mainly up 11.0% of the total in 2023. The production of ho
coal-based DRI) increased by 46.2%, and natural gas- ted iron (HBI) – a compacted form of DRI ideally s
(Continue

COUNTRY PRODUCTION (Million Tons)

India 49.3
Iran 33.4
Russia 7.8
Saudi Arabia 6.7
 Egypt 6.4

World DRI
production
reaches 135.7 Mt in
2023 Sets yet another
new2023
annual production
World DRI Production by Process
Rotary Kilnrecord

Other 29.6% T
0.1% MIDREX 55.8%
®

o
PERED 2.3% t
HYL/Energiron al
12.2%
W
o
rl
d 2021
MIDREX ®
59.5%

HYL/Energiron 12.7%
PERED 2.2%
Other 0.1%
Rotary Kiln 25.4%
Note: Percentages are rounded to the nearest decimal. Source: Midre
CONTENTS
2 World DRI
Production

7 World DRI
Production by
Region/Year

8 World DRI
Production Tables

10 Major Trade Routes

for International Trade
of DRI

12 World DRI
Shipments

13 World Direct
Reduction Plants

Audited
by
 Producing Nations
ation, SIMA, and Midrex Technologies, Inc.

n Iran grew by 17.3%. New natural

e started in Algeria, USA, and Iran.
production has grown by 61Mt, in
his last decade, shaft furnace DRI
t (56%) and rotary-kiln by natural-
Mt / 4.1%). Once 25Mt (161%).
(HDRI), which is fed directly to over
ergy savings and productivity gains,
rease compared to 2022, and made
2023. The production of hot briquet-
pacted form of DRI ideally suited for
(Continued on page 3)
2022 2023
57.8% 55.8%

12.1% 12.2%
2.2% 2.3%
0.1% 0.1%
27.9% 29.6%
Source: Midrex Technologies, Inc.
shipping and for use in the blast furnace – is estimated to have been 12.0
Mt, a 9% increase over 2022.
2023 World Shaft Furn
MIDREX Plants produced 75.7 Mt of DRI in 2023, which is 3.0% more
®
by Process
than the 73.6 Mt produced in 2022, both annual records. The production
total for 2023 was calculated from the 38.7 Mt confirmed by plants
located outside of Iran and Russia and the estimated 37.0 Mt by plants in
Iran and Russia derived from data reported by the World Steel MIDREX
Association (WSA). The MIDREX Process continued to account for ®
79.4%
approximately 80% of world- wide production of DRI by shaft furnaces
in 2023: 95.4Mt. Almost 11 Mt of HDRI (73% share) and 10.8Mt of HBI
(90% share) were produced by MIDREX Plants in this period. PERE
Natural gas is generally the main source of reducing D HYL/
gas in shaft furnace-based processes, and DRI produced 3.2% Energiro
n 17.4%

2021 2022
MIDREX ®
79.7% 80.2%
HYL / Energiron 16.4% 16.8%
PERED 3.9% 3.0%
using natural gas has significantly lower CO2 emissions than
DRI produced using coal (directly or indirectly). In 2023, Source: Midrex Technologies, Inc.
approximately 68.5% of the DRI produced was natural gas- 2023 World DRI Produc
based (i.e., low CO2 DRI), whereas the balance, 31.5%, was
coal-based (i.e., high CO2 DRI). The proportion of low CO2 DRI Emissions
has steadily decreased due to the faster growth in DRI 2021 2022 2023
produced in India via Rotary-Kilns.
Since 1970, the cumulative production of DRI is 2,263 Mt, of
which shaft-furnaces have produced 1,820 Mt. The cumu-
lative production of HBI is 239.7 Mt (since 1977) and of HDRI is
164.3 Mt (since 1998). Through the end of 2023, MIDREX
Plants have produced a cumulative total of over 1,400 Mt of all
forms of DRI (CDRI, HDRI, and HBI).
BEHIND THE NUMBERS Natural Gas-
based High
Crude Steel Production CO2 DRI 31.5%
World crude steel production for the 64 countries reporting to
the World Steel Association (worldsteel) was 1,892 Mt in 2023,
approximately a 0.1% increase compared to 1,890 Mt Natural Gas-
based Low CO2
DRI 68.5%

in 2022. High CO2 DRI 27.5%

THE TOP 5 STEEL PRODUCING NATIONS IN 2022 Low CO2 DRI 72.5%
CHINA 1,019 Mt
INDIA 140.7 Mt
JAPAN 87.0 Mt
USA 81.4 Mt
RUSSIA 76.0 Mt

Source: M
 ld Shaft Furnace Production
ss

MIDREX
®
79.4%

HYL/
Energiro
n 17.4%

2022 2023
80.2% 79.4%
16.8% 17.4%
3.0% 3.2%

nologies, Inc.

ld DRI Production by CO2

s
2023

Natural Gas-
based High
CO2 DRI 31.5%

Natural Gas-
based Low CO2
DRI 68.5%

29.9% 31.5%

70.1% 68.5%
Source: Midrex Technologies, Inc.
 The top 5 producing regions were: D
• Asia produced 1,395 Mt, up 1% over 2022 production. ir
Worldsteel includes China, India, Japan, South Korea, and
Vietnam as the top 5 producing countries in Asia. e
• EU (European Union) (27) produced 126.3 Mt in 2023, a c
decrease of 7.4% compared to 2022. Germany, Italy, Spain, and t
France are each producing over 10 Mt. r
• North America produced 110.2 Mt in 2023, a 1.3% decrease
compared to 2022. Worldsteel includes Canada, Cuba, El
e
Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, and United States in North d
America. u
• Russia & Other CIS + Ukraine production in 2022 was 90.3 Mt, a c
4.9% increase over 2023. Worldsteel e
includes Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova, and Uzbekistan in CIS.
• Middle East produced 54.5 Mt in 2023, an increase d
of 0.6% over 2022. Worldsteel includes Iran, Saudi Arabia, United ir
Arab Emirates, Oman, and Qatar in Middle East. o
Iron ore supply and steel demand n
The profitability of direct reduction plants is strongly p
impacted by iron ore pricing and availability- and steel demand.
r
Energy (mostly natural gas) price and demand also influence the
operating cost of a direct reduction plant; since they vary greatly o
by region, they may only atfect specific DRI producers. d
Overall, iron ore supply was relatively stable in 2023. Iron ore u
pricing saw less volatility compared to previous years. Prices c
increased early in the first quarter, dropped in the second
quarter, and progressively increased through the rest of the year.
ti
For the 62% Fe iron ore, the lowest price was in early January and o
the highest price in late December, its high- est value since June n
2022. On the other hand, the DR premium peaked in August at A
over $65/ton, dropped in Q3 to under $50, and increased in the s
last two months of the year. in
Aside from regional situations, the demand for steel that typically pr
consumes DRI / HBI was strong, resulting in adequate margin for e
the mills. Similarly to iron ore, 2023 was less volatile for steel vi
pricing than the previous years. Steel pricing trended upwards o
until April, dropped until the end of the summer, then us
resumed a steady increase in Q4. y
e
ar
s,
In
di
a
co
nt
in
u
e
d
to
b
e
th
e
la
DRI PRODUCTION LEADER

2023 World Direct Reduction Statistics Page 4

NEW CAPACITY STARTED OR ANNOUNCED IN 2023
MIDREX
In March 2023, thyssenkrupp Steel awarded Midrex and SMS the contract for a DRI plant paired with two inno
tons per year MIDREX Flex Plant will be located in Duisburg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. This project w
®

3.5 Mt per year. It is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026.

HYL / ENERGIRON ®

In June 2023, Hebei Iron & Steel Group (HBIS) announced the start of production at the new ENERGIRON ZR d
will use hydrogen-enriched gas. The plant has a rated capacity of 0.6 Mt per year.
Salzgitter contracted the construction of a direct reduction plant on the site of Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH wi
Tenova, and DSD Steel Group. The announce- ment, made in May 2023, is the first large-scale stage of the S
CDRI plant’s capacity was listed as 2.1 Mt per year. Startup of the plant and a 100-MW electrolyzer are exp
to later press releases. Tenova was selected by Ternium in October 2023 for the construction of a new steel m
Mexico. The new plant includes a 2.1 Mt per year DRI plant.
In December 2023, Vulcan Green Steel (part of the Jindal Steel Group) announced a 2.5 Mt per year ENERGIR
Wusta Governorate, Sultanate of Oman. The module will produce HDRI for an adjacent electric steelmaking c
to produce HBI. The completion is scheduled for 2026.
PERED
After nearly 10 years, Shanxi Taihang Mining commissioned a 0.3 Mtpy DRI plant using coke oven gas and hy
one media article. The complex is located in Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province, China.

2023 World Direct Reduction Statistics Page 5 © 2024 Midrex Technologies, Inc.
Shaft Furnace DRI Production by Proce
© 2024 Midrex Technologies, Inc.
 ANNOUNCED IN 2023
S the contract for a DRI plant paired with two innovative melters. The 2.5 million
North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. This project will reduce CO2 emissions by
2026.

e start of production at the new ENERGIRON ZR direct reduction plant, which

ity of 0.6 Mt per year.
lant on the site of Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH with a consor- tium of Danieli,
n May 2023, is the first large-scale stage of the SALCOS program. The HDRI /
®

p of the plant and a 100-MW electrolyzer are expected in mid-2026 according

October 2023 for the construction of a new steel mill in Pesquería, Nuevo León,

eel Group) announced a 2.5 Mt per year ENERGIRON-ZR plant in Duqm, Al

duce HDRI for an adjacent electric steelmaking complex and will also be able

a 0.3 Mtpy DRI plant using coke oven gas and hydrogen in 2023, according to
hanxi Province, China.

e5 © 2024 Midrex Technologies, Inc.

RI Production by Process and by Year
95.0 Mt
Year MIDREX ® Other Shaft Total Year MIDREX ® Other Total
Furnace Shaft
Furnace
1990 10.73 5.25 15.98 2009 38.62 7.88 46.50
1991 11.96 5.40 17.36 2010 42.01 9.81 51.82
1992 13.26 5.29 18.55 2011 44.38 11.03 55.41
1993 15.91 5.73 21.64 2012 44.76 10.79 55.55
1994 17.83 7.01 24.84 2013 47.56 11.29 58.85
1995 19.86 8.15 28.01 2014 47.12 12.04 59.16
1996 21.03 9.12 30.15 2015 45.77 11.62 57.39
1997 23.08 9.55 32.63 2016 47.14 12.66 59.80
1998 24.82 8.52 33.34 2017 56.65 14.68 71.33
1999 26.12 8.81 34.93 2018 62.10 18.11 80.21
2000 30.12 9.39 39.51 2019 65.37 16.57 81.94
2001 26.99 8.04 35.03 2020 63.07 16.03 79.10
2002 30.11 8.88 38.99 2021 70.85 17.84 88.69
2003 32.06 9.72 41.78 2022 73.55 18.12 91.68
2004 35.01 11.34 46.35 2023 75.73 19.68 95.41
2005 34.96 11.00 45.96
2006 35.71 10.91 46.62
2007 39.72 11.20 50.92
2008 39.85 9.84 49.69

MIDREX ®

1990 2000 2010 202

Other Shaft
Furnace
010 2023
 2021
2023 World DRI Production by Region (Mt)
60.89
50.24

Middle East/North Africa 54.84 58.48 60.89

Asia/Oceania 39.47 44.33 50.24
Latin America 9.61 9.79 3.57
(including Mexico and
Carribbean)
CIS/Eastern Europe 7.89 7.66 7.76
North America 6.66 6.76 12.96
(USA & Canada)
Western Europe 0.50
A 0.15 0.08
Sub-Saharan Africa s
0.20 0.19 0.22
i 1 7.7 3 0.
a 2 6 . 22
/ . CIS 5 Su
Middle
O 9 / 7 b-
East/
c 6 Eas L Sa
N. Africa
e N ter a ha
a o n ti ra
n r Eur n n
i t
a
World DRI Production by Year (Mt)

Yea Total Year Total Year CDRI HBI HDRI Total

r
’71 0.95 ’90 17.68 ‘09 52.54 6.93 4.86 64.33
’72 1.39 ’91 19.32 ‘10 56.60 7.21 6.47 70.28
’73 1.90 ’92 20.51 ‘11 59.41 7.60 6.20 73.21
’74 2.72 ’93 23.65 ‘12 59.51 7.90 5.73 73.14
’75 2.81 ’94 27.37 ‘13 62.50 6.17 6.25 74.92
‘76 3.02 ’95 30.67 ‘14 62.41 5.17 7.01 74.59
‘77 3.52 ’96 33.30 ‘15 58.43 5.66 8.55 72.64
’78 5.00 ’97 36.19 ‘16 57.74 5.29 9.73 72.76
’79 6.64 ‘98 36.96 ‘17 67.88 8.16 11.06 87.10
’80 7.14 ‘99 38.60 ‘18 80.55 9.03 11.16 100.73
’81 7.92 ‘00 43.78 ‘19 87.16 9.67 11.27 108.10
’82 7.28 ‘01 40.32 ‘20 83.95 9.51 11.38 104.84
’83 7.90 ‘02 45.08 ‘21 94.97 10.39 13.79 119.16
’84 9.34 ‘03 49.45 ‘22 102.14 11.35 13.87 127.36
’85 11.17 ’04 54.60 ‘23 108.73 12.04 14.95 135.73
’86 12.53 ’05 56.87
’87 13.52 ’06 59.70
’88 14.09 ’07 67.12
’89 15.63 ’08 67.95 0.79 Mt
1970
 2021 2022 2023

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2023
 1970-2012 World DRI Production by Region (Mt)
NAME ‘70-‘02 ‘03 ‘04 ‘05 ‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘09
Latin America

ARGENTINA 27.44 1.74 1.74 1.83 1.95 1.81 1.86 0.81

BRAZIL 8.29 0.41 0.44 0.43 0.38 0.36 0.30 0.01
MEXICO 80.63 5.62 6.54 5.98 6.17 6.26 6.01 4.15
PERU 1.09 0.08 0.08 0.09 0.14 0.09 0.07 0.10
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO 19.06 2.28 2.36 2.25 2.08 3.47 2.78 1.99
VENEZUELA 89.84 6.90 7.83 8.95 8.61 7.71 6.87 5.61
Middle East/N. Africa
ALGERIA – – – – – – – –
BAHRAIN – – – – – – – –
EGYPT 19.04 2.87 3.02 2.90 3.10 2.79 2.64 2.91
IRAN 40.65 5.62 6.41 6.85 6.85 7.44 7.46 8.20
LIBYA 12.90 1.34 1.58 1.65 1.63 1.64 1.57 1.11
OMAN – – – – – – – –
QATAR 13.33 0.78 0.83 0.82 0.88 1.30 1.68 2.10
SAUDI ARABIA 35.14 3.29 3.41 3.63 3.58 4.34 4.97 5.03
UAE – – – – – – – –
Asia/Oceania
AUSTRALIA 3.27 1.95 0.69 – – – – –
CHINA 0.49 0.31 0.43 0.41 0.41 0.60 0.18 0.08
INDIA 52.10 7.67 9.37 12.04 14.74 19.06 21.20 22.03
INDONESIA 29.36 1.23 1.47 1.27 1.20 1.32 1.21 1.12
MALAYSIA 15.98 1.60 1.68 1.38 1.54 1.84 1.94 2.30
MYANMAR 0.51 0.04 0.04 – – – – –
PAKISTAN – – – – – – – –
North America

CIS/Eastern Europe
RUSSIA 30.02 2.91 3.14 3.34 3.28 3.41 4.56 4.67
Sub-Saharan Africa

Western Europe
GERMANY 9.74 0.59 0.61 0.44 0.58 0.59 0.52 0.38
Other Nations 0.47 – – – – – – –
WORLD TOTAL 547.03 49.48 54.60 56.87 59.70 67.12 67.95 64.33
CANADA 20.92 0.50 1.09 0.59 0.45 0.91 0.69 0.34
USA 16.10 0.21 0.18 0.22 0.24 0.25 0.26 –

1970-2012 World DRI Production by Process (Mt)

NAME ‘70-‘02 ‘03 ‘04 ‘05 ‘06 ‘07 ‘08 ‘9

MIDREX® 343.33 32.11 35.01 34.96 35.71 39.72 39.85 38.62

HYL/Energiron 147.83 9.72 11.34 11.00 10.91 11.20 9.84 7.88
PERED – – – – – – - –
Rotary Kiln 42.05 5.04 6.41 9.17 11.53 14.90 16.92 17.33
Other * 13.82 2.61 1.66 1.70 1.53 1.29 1.33 0.76
WORLD TOTAL 547.03 49.48 54.60 56.87 59.70 67.12 67.95 64.33
 * Other: A variety of processes using retorts, shaft furnaces, fluidized bed furnaces and hearths.
e - estimated

2013-2023 World DRI Production by Region (Mt)

 Source: Midrex Technologies, Inc.

7 ‘08 ‘09 ‘10 ‘11 ‘12

1.57 1.68 1.61

– – –
5.37 5.85 5.59
0.10 0.09 0.10
3.08 3.03 3.25
3.79 4.47 4.61

– – –
– – –
2.86 2.97 2.84
9.35 10.37 11.58
1.27 0.30 0.51
– 1.11 1.46
2.16 2.23 2.42
5.51 5.81 5.66
1.18 2.25 2.72

– – –
– – –
23.42 21.97 17.77
1.27 1.23 0.52
2.39 2.16 2.01
– – –
– –

4.79 5.20 5.24

0.45 0.38 0.56

– – –
70.28 73.21 73.14
0.60 0.70 0.84
– – –

t)
7 ‘08 ‘9 ‘10 ‘11 ‘12

42.01 44.38 44.76

9.81 11.03 10.79
– – –
18.12 17.32 17.06
0.34 0.48 0.53
70.28 73.21 73.14
hs.

Source: Midrex Technologies, Inc.

 NAME ‘13 ‘14 ‘15 ‘16 ‘17 ‘18 ‘19
Latin America
ARGENTINA 1.54 1.67 1.26 0.78 1.23 1.61 1.09
BRAZIL – – – – – – –
MEXICO 6.13 5.98 5.50 5.31 6.01 5.97e 5.97
PERU 0.10 0.09 0.07 0.01 – – –
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO 3.29 3.24 2.52 1.50 1.59 1.54 1.70
VENEZUELA 2.77 1.68 2.75 1.59 1.68 0.99 1.01
Middle East/N. Africa
ALGERIA – – – – – 0.11 1.54
BAHRAIN 0.78 1.44 1.23 1.26 1.26 1.60 1.45
EGYPT 3.43 2.88 2.73 2.82 4.67 5.22e 4.05
IRAN 14.46 14.55 14.55 16.01 20.55 25.75 28.52
LIBYA 0.95 1.00 0.45 0.69 0.56 0.61 0.87
OMAN 1.47 1.45 1.48 1.46 1.51 1.50 1.75
QATAR 2.39 2.64 2.71 2.58 2.63 2.63 2.49
SAUDI ARABIA 6.07 6.46 5.80 5.89 5.74 6.00 5.79
UAE 3.07 2.41 3.19 3.48 3.61 3.78 3.67
Asia/Oceania
AUSTRALIA – – – – – – – – –
CHINA – – – – – – – – –
INDIA 17.77 17.31 17.68 18.47 22.34 28.11 33.74 32.98 39.11
INDONESIA 0.76 0.16 0.05 – – 0.24 -e -e -e
MALAYSIA 1.40 1.33 0.96 0.66 0.57 0.75 0.59 0.73 0.36
MYANMAR – – – – – – – – –
PAKISTAN 0.06 – – – – – – – –
North America

CIS/Eastern Europe
RUSSIA 5.33 5.35 5.44 5.70 6.99 7.90e 8.03 7.93 7.89
Sub-Saharan Africa

Western Europe
GERMANY 0.50 0.57 0.55 0.60 0.63 0.56 0.47 0.53 0.50
Other Nations – – – – – – – – –
WORLD TOTAL 74.92 74.59 72.64 72.71 87.10 100.73 108.10 104.84 119.16
CANADA 1.25 1.55 1.50 1.40 1.61 1.67 1.44
USA – 1.30 1.10 1.81 2.99 3.35 3.24

2013-2023 World DRI Production by Process (Mt)

NAME ‘13 ‘14 ‘15 ‘16 ‘17 ‘18 ‘19 ‘20

MIDREX® 47.56 47.12 45.77 47.14 56.65 61.96 65.37 63.07

HYL/Energiron 11.29 12.08 11.62 12.66 14.68 15.85 14.26 12.98
PERED – – – – ** 2.40 2.31 3.05e
Rotary Kiln 15.93 15.39 14.74 12.67 15.34 20.31 25.98 25.50
Other * 0.14 – 0.51 0.24 0.44 0.22 0.18 0.24
WORLD TOTAL 74.92 74.59 72.64 72.71 87.10 100.73 108.10 104.84 1
* Other: A variety of processes using retorts, shaft furnaces, fluidized bed furnaces and hearths.
** Included in Other e - estimated
Major Trade Routes for International Trade of DRI
 ‘20 ‘21 ‘22 ‘23

0.53 1.41 1.51 1.49

– – – –
5.17 5.83 5.84 5.92
– – – –
1.34 1.62 1.43 1.39
0.89 0.76 1.01 0.69

2.23 3.08 3.88 4.17

1.38 1.51 1.42 1.62
4.71 5.23 5.82 6.42
30.21 31.85 32.90 33.45
0.83 0.88 1.10 1.65
1.73 1.70 1.82 1.60
0.78 0.79 1.62 1.71
5.19 6.13 6.48 6.68
2.96 3.66 3.45 3.59

– – –
– – –
39.11 43.55 49.33
-e -e -e
0.36 0.78 0.71
– – –
– – –

7.89 7.66 7.76

0.50 0.15 0.08

– – –
119.16 127.36 135.73
1.17 1.65 1.52 1.55
3.35 5.01 5.24 5.48

t)
8 ‘19 ‘20 ‘21 ‘22 '23

63.07 70.85 73.55 75.73

12.98 15.16 15.36 16.61
3.05e 2.67e 2.76 3.08
25.50 30.30 35.57 40.16
0.24 0.16 0.11 0.15
73 108.10 104.84 119.16 127.36 135.73
ths.
rade of DRI
 The map shows the major routes of international transport of DRI in 2023. The width of the lines indicates the amoun
products that traveled over the individual routes. NOTE: Domestic and smaller trade routes are not shown.
MAJOR TRADE ROUTES FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE OF DRI:
Total shipments of DRI decreased to 21.4 Mt in 2023, 13% less than the previous record of 25
both domestic and international shipments. Land shipments made up the majority of the tota
14.8 Mt, a 6.1% decrease over the record 15.7 Mt in 2022. Water shipments showed a 33.7%
2022, totaling 6.6 Mt. The decreases in reported international trade of HBI and water shipmen
reported
data from sanctioned countries. It is more likely that both values were similar or above 2022 d

Importing Region
Exporting Region MENA Asia/ Latin CIS/ North Sub-Saharan
Oceania America E. Europe America Africa
MENA 0.9 1.6 - - - -
Asia/Oceania - 1.9 - - - -
Latin America - 0.0 - - 1.3 -
CIS/Eastern Europe 0.6 1.2 - 0.3 - -
North America 0.3 0.1 - - 0.4 -
Sub-Saharan Africa - - - - - -
Western Europe - - - - - -
Total Mt 1.8 4.7 - 0.3 1.7 -
Grand Total
International trade routes were estimated at 11.1 Mt.

Major Trade Routes for International Trade of DRI

 SUPPLIERS
Russia is the leading exporter with approximately 3.0 Mt of DRI products, shipping predominantly HBI to Asia
However, there is a discrepancy between reported pro- duction and trade of Russian HBI. The USA became th
with 1.5 Mt, shipping predominantly to Western Europe and Mexico. Iran, India, and Trinidad and Tob
exporting nations, with 1.5, 1.3, and 1.3 Mt of DRI, respectively.
DESTINATIONS
According to data from ISSB, 29 countries imported significant quantities of DRI/HBI. The top three importers
(1.3 Mt), and Italy (1.0 Mt). The data indicates that India imported DRI from Iran and Russia. China imported
2022 (0.3 Mt, from Iran and Russia).
OUTLOOK
The trade of DRI products in 2024 is not expected to change much compared to 2023. Trade regulations and
impact global trade.

Data Source
Data for the map was taken from three sources: International
Steel Statistics Bureau (ISSB), International Iron Metallics Asso-
ciation (IIMA), and reports from individual operating DR plants.
Data from the ISSB originates with national export and import
records; for instance, from the US Customs Bureau. IIMA infor-
mation derives from a variety of sources. It should be stressed
that a significant portion of the export data does not match
the import data. Also, reports from individual plants show
large tonnages for which the destination is unknown.
The arrows do not originate and terminate at specific
countries. Rather, sums for dispatch and arrival were totaled
by region and the arrows flow from region to region. For
instance, the wide arrow originating from the north coast of
South America shows DRI and HBI coming from the
Caribbean (Venezuela plus Trinidad and Tobago) and being
transported to North America, Asia and Europe.
Notes:
• All references to tons are metric unless otherwise stated
• A MIDREX Plant can include one or more modules
• The Russian production and trade numbers were inferred from several
sources. The production figures have a high degree of certainty. However,
the amount of traded HBI is significantly lower than production.
• The list of rotary-kilns was removed from the 2023 publication due to
lack of recent, accurate information matching the increased coal-based DRI
production.
 lines indicates the amount of DRI
shown.
:
previous record of 25.7 Mt in 2022, including
he majority of the total in 2023, amounting to
ents showed a 33.7% decrease compared to
HBI and water shipments are likely due to un-

imilar or above 2022 data.

Western Total Mt
Europe
0.4 2.9
- 1.9
0.1 1.5
1.2 3.2
0.8 1.5
- -
- -
- 2.6
Grand Total 11.1

rade of DRI
predominantly HBI to Asia and Western Europe.
n HBI. The USA became the second leading exporter
a, and Trinidad and Tobago complete the top five

. The top three importers were India (1.6 Mt), USA

d Russia. China imported sig- nificantly less DRI than in

23. Trade regulations and sanctions are again likely to

 World DRI Shipments (Mt)
Source: Midrex Technologies, Inc.
HBI CDRI
25.69 Mt
‘23

Year CDRI HBI Year CDR HBI Year CDRI HBI

’71 0.04 – ’89 I
1.27 0.94 ’07 10.82 6.24
’72 0.08 – ’90 1.46 1.71 ‘08 8.01 5.99
’73 0.13 – ’91 1.29 2.67 ‘09 8.50 5.38
’74 0.26 – ‘92 1.45 2.71 ‘10 8.42 5.60
’75 0.34 – ‘93 1.45 3.56 ‘11 7.97 6.06
‘76 0.37 – ’94 2.44 3.93 ‘12 8.17 6.58
‘77 0.32 – ’95 3.69 3.98 ‘13 8.56 5.62
’78 0.28 0.11 ’96 3.58 3.20 ‘14 7.70 5.17
’79 0.66 0.12 ’97 3.99 3.51 ‘15 8.35 4.97
’80 0.81 0.25 ’98 4.24 3.00 ‘16 8.79 4.70
’81 0.83 0.25 ’99 4.01 4.41 ‘17 8.00 8.13
’82 0.80 0.18 ’00 4.54 5.02 ‘18 12.49 9.03
’83 0.59 0.36 ’01 2.83 6.58 ‘19 11.27 8.33
’84 0.83 0.39 ’02 4.85 6.45 ‘20 12.39 9.11
’85 0.71 0.61 ’03 4.63 7.63 ‘21 12.92 9.86
’86 0.89 0.73 ’04 4.26 6.82 ‘22 14.93 10.76
’87 0.85 0.77 ’05 6.76 7.12 ‘23 16.04 8.59
’88 1.48 0.83 ’06 7.81 6.75
0.04 Mt
‘71
Year Water Land Year Water Land Year Water Land
’71 – 0.04 ’89 1.34 0.87 ’07 8.19 8.87
’72 0.01 0.07 ’90 1.79 1.38 ‘08 6.41 7.59
’73 0.02 0.12 ’91 2.25 1.71 ‘09 5.39 8.48
’74 0.03 0.23 ‘92 2.24 1.93 ‘10 6.61 7.42
’75 0.06 0.28 ‘93 2.90 2.11 ‘11 6.49 7.55
‘76 0.10 0.26 ’94 3.46 2.91 ‘12 8.48 6.27
‘77 0.04 0.27 ’95 3.76 3.92 ‘13 7.79 6.39 Land
’78 0.12 0.57 ’96 3.40 3.50 ‘14 7.23 5.64 Water
’79 0.33 0.45 ’97 3.81 3.80 ‘15 7.28 6.04
’80 0.54 0.52 ’98 4.22 3.11 ‘16 7.48 6.01
’81 0.53 0.55 ’99 5.45 3.00 ‘17 10.30 5.83
’82 0.65 0.33 ’00 6.66 2.90 ‘18 10.22 11.30
’83 0.67 0.28 ’01 7.59 1.82 ‘19 8.61 11.00
’84 0.69 0.53 ’02 6.74 4.56 ‘20 7.30 14.20
’85 0.81 0.51 ’03 8.31 3.94 ‘21 7.96 14.82
’86 0.99 0.63 ’04 6.57 4.51 ‘22 9.96 15.73
’87 0.95 0.67 ’05 7.02 6.86 ‘23 9.56 15.07
’88 1.08 1.23 ’06 6.80 7.75
0.04 Mt
‘71 ‘23
Note regarding land shipments: It is estimated that about 25% of the DRI produced in India is transported domestically to nearby melti
included in the figures given above.

World Direct Reduction Plants (as of 12/31/23) Sou

Plant Location Capacity (Mt/y) Modules Product

Land
Water

25.69
Mt

domestically to nearby melting furnaces. This tonnage is

Source: Midrex Technologies, Inc.

dules Product Start-up Status*

MIDREX®
ArcelorMittal Hamburg Hamburg, Germany 0.40 1 CDRI
ArcelorMittal Canada 1 Contrecoeur, Quebec, Canada 0.40 1 CDRI
Tenaris Siderca Campana, Argentina 0.40 1 CDRI
ArcelorMittal Canada 2 Contrecoeur, Quebec, Canada 0.60 1 CDRI
SIDOR I Matanzas, Venezuela 0.35 1 CDRI
Acindar Villa Constitucion, Argentina 0.60 1 CDRI
Qatar Steel 1 Mesaieed, Qatar 0.40 1 CDRI
SIDOR IIA, IIB, IIC Matanzas, Venezuela 1.29 3 CDRI
ArcelorMittal Point Lisas I & II Point Lisas, Trinidad & Tobago 0.84 2 CDRI
Delta Steel I & II Warri, Nigeria 1.02 2 CDRI
Hadeed A & B Al-Jubail, Saudi Arabia 0.80 2 CDRI
OEMK I - IV Stary Oskol, Russia 1.67 4 CDRI
Antara Steel Mills Labuan Island, Malaysia 0.65 1 HBI
EZDK I El Dikheila, Egypt 0.72 1 CDRI
Khouzestan Steel Co. I - III Ahvaz, Iran 2.05 3 CDRI
LISCO 1 & 2 Misurata, Libya 1.10 2 CDRI
AM/NS India I & II Hazira, India 0.88 2 CDRI/HDRI
FMO Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela 1.00 1 HBI
VENPRECAR Matanzas, Venezuela 0.82 1 HBI
AM/NS India III Hazira, India 0.44 1 HBI/HDRI
Hadeed C Al-Jubail, Saudi Arabia 0.65 1 CDRI
Mobarakeh Steel A - E Mobarakeh, Iran 4.00 5 CDRI
JSW Steel Ltd. Dolvi, Maharashtra, India 1.00 1 CDRI
EZDK II El Dikheila, Egypt 0.80 1 CDRI
LISCO 3 Misurata, Libya 0.65 1 HBI
ArcelorMittal Lázaro Cárdenas Lázaro Cárdenas, Mexico 1.20 1 CDRI
COMSIGUA Matanzas, Venezuela 1.00 1 HBI
ArcelorMittal Point Lisas III Point Lisas, Trinidad & Tobago 1.36 1 CDRI
ArcelorMittal South Africa Saldanha Bay, South Africa 0.80 1 CDRI
EZDK III El Dikheila, Egypt 0.80 1 CDRI
Khouzestan Steel IV Ahvaz, Iran 0.85 1 CDRI
AM/NS India IV Hazira, India 1.00 1 HBI/HDRI
Nu-Iron Point Lisas, Trinidad & Tobago 1.60 1 CDRI
AM/NS India V Hazira, India 1.50 1 HBI/HDRI
Mobarakeh Steel F Mobarakeh, Iran 0.85 1 CDRI
DRIC I & II Dammam, Saudi Arabia 1.00 2 CDRI
Hadeed E Al-Jubail, Saudi Arabia 1.76 1 HDRI/CDRI
LGOK HBI-2 Gubkin, Russia 1.40 1 HBI
Qatar Steel 2 Mesaieed, Qatar 1.50 1 CDRI/HBI
Khouzestan Steel V Ahvaz, Iran 0.92 1 CDRI
Lion DRI Banting, Malaysia 1.54 1 HDRI/HBI
Hormozgan A & B Bandar Abbas, Iran 1.66 2 CDRI
AM/NS India VI Hazira, India 1.50 1 CDRI
Khorasan Steel I Neyshabur, Khorasan Razavi, Iran 0.80 1 CDRI
JindalShadeed Sohar, Oman 1.50 1 HDRI/HBI
 ‘71 O
‘73 O
‘76 O
‘77 O
‘77 I
‘78 O
‘78 O
‘79 O
‘80/’82 I
‘82 I
‘82/’83 O
‘83/’85/’85/’87 O
‘84 O
‘86 O
‘89/’90/’92 O
‘89/’90 O
‘90 O
‘90 O
‘90 O
‘92 O
‘92 O
‘92/’93/’94 O
‘94 O
‘97 O
‘97 O
‘97 O
‘98 O
‘99 I
‘99 I
’00 O
’01 O
‘04 O
‘06 O
‘06 O
‘06 O
‘07 O
‘07 O
‘07 O
‘07 O
‘08 O
‘08 I
‘09/‘10 O
‘10 O
‘10 O
‘10 O
World Direct Reduction Plants (as of 12/31/23)

Plant Location Capacity Modules Produc

(Mt/y) t

MIDREX® (Continued)
Ghadir Iron and Steel Company Ardakan (Yazd), Iran 0.80 1 CDRI
Khorasan Steel II Neyshabur, Khorasan Razavi, Iran 0.80 1 CDRI
South Kaveh Steel A & B Bandar Abbas, Iran 1.86 2 CDRI
Mobarakeh Steel (Kharazi A & B) Mobarakeh, Iran 2.76 2 CDRI
Tuwairqi Steel Mills Karachi, Pakistan 1.28 1 HDRI/CDRI
SULB Hidd, Bahrain 1.50 1 HDRI/CDRI
Arfa Steel Company Ardakan (Yazd), Iran 0.80 1 CDRI
Mobarakeh Steel (Saba) Chamgordan, Isfahan, Iran 1.38 1 CDRI
JSW Steel Ltd. Toranagallu, Karnataka, India 1.20 1 HDRI/CDRI
Sirjan Iranian Co. Bardsir, Kerman, Iran 0.80 1 CDRI
Jindal Steel & Power Angul, Odisha, India 1.80 1 HDRI/CDRI
ESISCO Sadat City, Egypt 1.76 1 HDRI/CDRI
Sirjan Jahan Co. 1 Sirjan, Kerman, Iran 0.96 1 CDRI
Golgohar Iron & Steel Development 1 Sirjan, Kerman, Iran 1.70 1 CDRI
ArcelorMittal Texas HBI Corpus Christi, Texas, USA 2.00 1 HBI
Sefid Dasht Steel Sefiddasht, Iran 0.80 1 CDRI
LGOK HBI-3 Gubkin, Russia 1.80 1 HBI
Persian Gulf Saba Steel Bandar Abbas, Iran 1.50 1 HBI
Sabzevar Steel Company Khorasan Razavi, Iran 0.80 1 CDRI
Golgohar Iron & Steel Development 2 Sirjan, Kerman, Iran 1.70 1 CDRI
Tosyali Algérie 1 Oran, Algeria 2.50 1 HDRI/CDRI
Chadormalu M & I Co. Ardakan (Yazd), Iran 1.55 1 HDRI/CDRI
Pasargad Steel Shiraz, Fars, Iran 1.50 1 HDRI/CDRI
Ardakan Steel Ardakan (Yazd), Iran 0.96 1 CDRI
Cleveland-Cliffs HBI Plant Toledo, Ohio, USA 1.60 1 HBI
Algerian Qatari Steel (AQS) Bellara, Algeria 2.50 1 HDRI/CDRI
Ghaenat Nimbolook, South Khorasan, Iran 0.80 1 CDRI
Khouzestan Steel VI Ahvaz, Khuzestan, Iran 1.76 1 CDRI
Tosyali Algerie 2 Oran, Algeria 2.50 1 HDRI/CDRI
Makran Chabahar, Sistan Baluchestan, Iran 1.60 1 HBI
Sirjan Jahan Co. 2 Sirjan, Kerman, Iran 0.90 1 CDRI
Torbat Shirabad, Razavi Khorasan, Iran 1.85 1 CDRI
Saqqez Saqqez, Kurdestan, Iran 1.00 1 HBI
H2 Green Steel Boden, Sweden 2.10 1 HDRI/CDRI
99.19 99

HYL/ENERGIRON
Ternium 3M5 Monterrey, Mexico 0.50 1 CDRI
ArcelorMittal Lázaro Cárdenas I Lázaro Cárdenas, Mexico 1.00 2 CDRI
ArcelorMittal Lázaro Cárdenas II Lázaro Cárdenas, Mexico 1.00 2 CDRI
JSW Salav** Raigad, India 0.90 1 HBI/CDRI
PT Krakatau Steel Cilegon, Indonesia 1.35 2 CDRI
Perwaja Steel Kemaman, Malaysia 1.20 2 CDRI
Usiba Salvador Bahia, Brazil 0.31 1 CDRI
Ternium 2P5 Puebla, Mexico 0.61 1 CDRI
Source: Midrex Technologies,
Inc.

Start-up Status*

‘11 O
‘11 O
‘12 O
‘12/’14 O
‘13 I
‘13 O
‘13 O
‘13 O
’14 O
’14 O
‘14 O
‘15 I
‘15 O
‘15 O
‘16 O
‘16 O
’17 O
‘17 O
‘18 O
‘18 O
‘18 O
‘18 O
‘19 O
‘20 O
‘20 O
‘21 O
'22 O
‘24 C
'24 C
C
C
C
C
‘25 C

‘83 O
‘88 O
‘91 O
‘93 O
‘93 I
‘93 I
‘94 I
‘95 O
World Direct Reduction Plants (as of 12/31/22)

Plant Location Capacity Modules Product

(Mt/y)

HYL/ENERGIRON (Continued)
Ternium 4M Monterrey, Mexico 0.68 1 HDRI/CDRI
LGOK HBI-1 Gubkin, Russia 0.90 1 HBI
Hadeed D Al-Jubail, Saudi Arabia 1.10 1 CDRI
Briqven Matanzas, Venezuela 1.50 2 HBI
Emirates Steel I (GHC) Abu Dhabi, UAE 2.00 1 HDRI/CDRI
Emirates Steel III Abu Dhabi, UAE 0.20 1 CDRI
Emirates Steel II (GHC) Abu Dhabi, UAE 2.00 1 HDRI/CDRI
Suez Steel Adabia, Egypt 1.95 1 HDRI/CDRI
Nucor Steel Louisiana Convent, Louisiana, USA 2.50 1 CDRI
Ezz Rolling Mills Ain Sukhna, Egypt 1.90 1 CDRI
Hebei Iron and Steel Zhangjiakou, Hebei, China 0.55 1 CDRI
Baosteel Zhanjiang Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China 1.00 1 CDRI
Mutún Steel Puerto Suarez, SC, Bolivia 0.25 1 CDRI
Salzgitter AG Salzgitter, Germany 2.10 1 HDRI
ArcelorMittal Dofasco Hamilton, Ontario, Canada 2.00 1 HDRI/CDRI
28.00 29

PERED
Shadegan Steel Shadegan, Khouzestan, Iran 0.80 1 CDRI
Mianeh Steel Mianeh, East Azerbaijan, Iran 0.80 1 CDRI
Neyriz Steel Neyriz, Fars, Iran 0.80 1 CDRI
Baft Steel Baft, Kerman, Iran 0.80 1 CDRI
Shanxi Taihang Mining Jinzhong City, Shanxi Province, China 0.30 1 CDRI
3.50 5
OTHERS
FINMET
BriqOri Matanzas, Venezuela 2.20 4 HBI

CIRCORED
Arcelor Mittal Trinidad Point Lisas, Trinidad & Tobago 0.50 1 HBI

FIOR
Operaciones RDI Matanzas, Venezuela 0.40 1 HBI

** JSW Salav has two reduction furnaces but only one reformer. The reformer can supply either reduction furnace, but not simultaneou
plants that are inoperable or that have been dismantled.
Note 2: This list only includes plants processing feed materials with total iron content of 60% or higher and producing DRI with metalliz
2023 WORLD DIRECT REDUCTION STATISTICS is compiled The following organizations supplied or assisted in collecting data by M

2023 World Direct Reduction Statistics Page 16

 Source: Midrex Technologies,
Inc.

Start-up Status*

‘98 O
‘99 O
‘99 O
‘00 I
‘09 O
‘10 O
‘11 O
‘13 O
‘13 O
‘15 O
‘23 O
'24 C
C
C
C

‘17 O
‘17 O
‘18 O
‘19 O
‘23 O

’00 O

‘99 I

‘76 I

n furnace, but not simultaneously. Note 1: This list does not include

and producing DRI with metallization of 85% or higher.

sisted in collecting data by Midrex Technologies, Inc. annually as a resource for the global for this issue of 2023 WORLD DIRECT REDUCTION STA