Product Overview
Pelletising is the link between the iron ore mine and the steel plant. Fine concentrate particles cannot be used in a furnace on their own because they disrupt gas permeability in the blast furnace, so they are formed into robust balls. Compared with run-of-mine ore, pellets have a higher iron grade, fewer impurities and better transportability, and they significantly reduce energy consumption in steelmaking.
Pellet Types by Size
Fine pellets
Used for agglomeration and hydrometallurgical processes
Standard pellets
The most common industrial size; suited to blast furnaces and direct reduction plants
Coarse pellets
Used as a raw material in steelmaking and cement production
Technical Specifications
| Appearance | Spherical, rough and porous surface |
| Iron grade (Fe) | 64–70% |
| Diameter | 6–16 mm (typically 10–15 mm) |
| Porosity | 25–30% |
| Compressive strength (CCS) | Over 250 daN |
| Additives | Bentonite, lime, dolomite |
| Main firing method in Iran | Lurgi |
| Main producers | Opal Parsian, Gol-e-Gohar Sirjan, Gohar Zamin, Central Iron Ore of Bafq, Chadormalu, Foolad Zarand Iranian |
Production Process
Raw material preparation
High-grade iron ore concentrate is blended with additives such as bentonite and lime at optimum moisture
Pelletising (forming)
On rotating discs with water spray, the mixture is formed into green balls 6–16 mm in diameter
Firing in the kiln
Green pellets are hardened in a Lurgi kiln through drafting, preheating and firing up to 1300 °C
Cooling and quality control
Fired pellets are cooled, screened, and their final quality confirmed by a CCS test
Advantages of Using Pellets
14% lower CO₂ emissions
Using pellets instead of sinter in steelmaking produces less pollution
Higher furnace efficiency
The uniform spherical shape improves gas flow through the furnace
Easy to transport
Unlike concentrate, pellets can be stored and shipped for long periods without degrading
Less slag
The higher iron grade of pellets reduces the slag produced per tonne of steel
What Neda Foolad Mobin Offers
Working directly with Iran's major pelletising plants, including Gol-e-Gohar and Chadormalu, Neda Foolad Mobin supplies pellets of guaranteed quality, correct size and sufficient strength for direct reduction units and blast furnaces. Security of supply and flexibility on order volume are key advantages of working with us.