Iron ore as the primary raw material in the voestalpine Group provides the basis for a variety of products with customized properties. Iron ore is converted by reduction in the blast furnace to high-quality hot metal, a product which serves as the basis for all steelmaking processes. The criteria for the purchase and processing of iron ore are the iron and acid content, among other important properties. The various grain sizes of the ore play an essential role in the sintering process and in the blast furnace. Various types of ore are transported and stored separately in order to avoid a degradation in the quality of the material. The size of storage facilities is selected such that the average storage time does not exceed 1 to 1.5 months. The iron ore is primarily purchased from sources in the CIS countries, South Africa, Brazil and the domestic Erzberg.
HBI (Hot Briquetted Iron) is produced from reduction of iron ore pellets. HBI has an iron content about 91% and can be used in Electric Arc Furnace and in Blast Furnace as well.
voestalpine Texas LLC is our main supplier. In case of higher demand, we buy on spot market.