Steel Institute VDEh (Düsseldorf, Germany):

Lüngen H. B., Director Technology

Lhoist S.A. (Nivelles, Belgium):
Noldin J., Strategic Project Director, e-mail: jose.naldin@lhoist.com

ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG (Duisburg, Germany):
Schmöle P., Head of Competence Center Metallurgy

This paper shows the evolution of raw materials and implications in Europe, discussing how the players are reacting and the most acceptable trends. Hot metal production increased at a rate of 6 %/a over the last ten years, leading to a degradation of the chemical and physical quality of iron ore and coals that can be observed in the following processes: low physical iron ore quality leading to more fines and high handling costs; lump ore with low strength, high fines; coke: volatile quality caused by changing coal blends; fine ore: increasing SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ contents, critical RDI values with higher Al₂O₃ contents in sinter; lower Fe contents, especially in the sinter. The effects on blast furnace performance were clear: higher total consumption of reducing agents; higher CO₂ emissions; higher slag rate; lower productivity; changing hot metal quality. Cost effects were as follows: higher costs caused by lower blast furnace performance; additional increasing costs to compensate the lower productivity; shrinking profit for high technological steel producers, exploding profits for raw material miners. Therefore, a strong response was given by ironmakers to improve process control, control costs, optimize PCI and coke rates, and search to increase efficiency in all and every areas. Profitability remains a challenge though. Looking ahead, increasing demand for raw materials on a sufficient quality level with persist. Nevertheless, there could be also a trend to increase the use of pellets in blast furnaces at the same time that sinter plants are likely to increase the use of ultra-fines which shall enable a vast adoption of new practices (increase use of burnt lime) and adoption of new equipment (Intensive Mixer, HPS). Despite the challenges, blast furnace ironmaking shall continue as the main source of high-quality hot metal in the foreseeable future.

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