Iron Ore Pellets Global Market Report 2024

The global iron ore pellets market has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $58.1 billion in 2023 to $61.15 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3%. The growth observed in the historical period can be attributed to increased steel production, the surge in urbanization leading to infrastructure development, growth in the global automotive industry, environmental regulations that supported pelletization, investments made in mining infrastructure, and the abundance of resources in key regions.

The global iron ore pellets market is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $75.4 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4%. Anticipated growth in the upcoming period is driven by the increasing demand for high-quality steel, stricter adherence to environmental standards, the expanding wind energy sector, shifts in global trade dynamics, and investments directed towards upgrading pellet plants. Key trends expected in this period encompass technological advancements in pelletizing methods, the influence of trade policies and export restrictions, integration of digital technologies within the industry, and a heightened focus on the quality and specifications of iron ore pellets.

The expanding demand for steel within the construction sector is anticipated to be the driving force behind the growth of the iron ore pellets market. Construction remains one of the foremost industries utilizing steel, accounting for over 50% of the global steel demand. Iron ore pellets play a pivotal role in manufacturing steel products extensively used in construction applications. Reports suggest a significant surge in steel production, with projections indicating India's steel output reaching $5 trillion by 2025, up from 22 million tons in 1992 to 142 million tons in 2020. This demand for steel, especially in infrastructure and construction, is projected to range between 40-65% in various leading economies like the USA, China, India, and Japan. The growing steel demand, particularly in construction, is poised to steer the iron ore pellets market's growth.

The rise in urbanization is expected to be a significant driver for the iron ore pellets market. Urbanization characterizes the population's migration from rural to urban areas, resulting in a concentration of inhabitants within cities. Iron ore pellets play a critical role in supporting this urban growth as a fundamental raw material for steel production - a key ingredient in constructing urban infrastructure. With the expansion of urban areas and the subsequent demand for steel-intensive structures, the significance of iron ore pellets in meeting these construction needs amplifies. Reports indicate that over 50% of the global population resided in urban areas in 2022, and this figure is estimated to reach 6 billion by 2045. This urban expansion drives the iron ore pellets market by fueling the demand for steel in urban development projects, ranging from residential buildings to large-scale infrastructure.

Business expansions and strategic collaborations stand out as a prominent trend in the iron ore pellets market. Key players in this market are forging partnerships to fortify their market position. For example, Rio Tinto, an Australian metals and mining corporation, entered into an undisclosed collaboration with Salzgitter, a German steel-producing company, to explore the optimization of Rio Tinto's high-quality iron ore products for application in Salzgitter's green steel project, SALCOS, in Germany. Such partnerships bolster companies' capabilities and market presence by leveraging each other's strengths and expertise.

Major players in the iron ore pellets market are innovating by introducing advanced products such as low NOx burners to sustain their competitive edge. Low NOx burners are specialized combustion technology aimed at reducing the formation of nitrogen oxides during the combustion process. For instance, Metso, a Finland-based solutions company, unveiled a hydrogen variant of its low NOx burner, the Ferroflame™ LowNox burner for iron ore pellet production in October 2023. This innovative burner demonstrates laboratory-proven functionality, utilizing hydrogen to aid customers in meeting CO2 and NOx emission targets in steel manufacturing. The introduction of these burners signifies a step towards decarbonization in the pelletizing industry and reducing emissions in the steel manufacturing process.

In November 2021, Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc., a US-based company specializing in iron ore mining, beneficiation, and pelletizing, acquired Ferrous Processing and Trading Company for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition is aimed at maximizing the value derived from iron, positioning Cliffs to further expand its operations by leveraging the scalable footprint offered by Ferrous Processing and Trading Company. Ferrous Processing and Trading Company, also based in the US, focuses on the recycling of scrap metal.

Major companies operating in the iron ore pellets market report are Bahrain Steel BSC, ArcelorMittal SA, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., Ferrexpo PLC, Jindal SAW Limited, Luossavaara-Kiirunavaara AB, SIMEC Group Limited, Vale SA, Xindia Steels Limited, BHP Group Limited, Fortescue Metals Group Limited, United States Steel Corporation, Arya Iron & Steel Company Private Limited, Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited, Metalloinvest Management Company LLC, Rio Tinto PLC, Anglo American PLC, Samarco Mineracao S.A., EVRAZ PLC, Qatar Steel Company, Essar Steel Limited, JSW Steel Limited, Tata Steel Limited, Kobe Steel Ltd., Nippon Steel Corporation, Pohang Iron and Steel Company, China Baowu Steel Group Corporation Limited, Shougang Corporation, Gerdau S.A., Thyssenkrupp AG

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the iron ore pellets market in 2023. The regions covered in the iron ore pellets market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the iron ore pellets market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The primary outputs from iron ore pellets comprise blast furnace iron ore pellets and direct reduction products. The term 'blast furnace' denotes the specific furnaces instrumental in extracting pig iron from iron ore, which is further refined into steel. These furnaces also play roles in processing other metals like lead and copper. The technologies involved encompass oxygen-based or blast furnaces, electric arc furnaces, and electric induction furnaces, all contributing significantly to the production of iron-based chemicals and steel.

This report provides iron ore pellets market statistics, including iron ore pellets industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an iron ore pellets market share, detailed iron ore pellets market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the iron ore pellets industry. This iron ore pellets market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The iron ore pellets market consists of sales of iron ore pellets such as magnetite, and hematite. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.


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