According to figure compiled by the Hot Briquetted Iron Association (HBIA), more than 10 million metric tons (mt) of hot briquetted iron (HBI) were produced worldwide in 2009, of which approximately 6 million mt were shipped. The production and shipment figures are based on all direct reduction plants capable of HBI production (i.e., dedicated HBI plants and combination hot/cold discharge plants with HBI capability).
HBIA members in Russia and Venezuela accounted for almost 4.8 million mt of the production total and about 5 million mt of shipments (domestic and international). Essar Steel of India was the largest producer of HBI with 4.2 million mt; however, all of its production was used in the company's steel operations.
Steelmakers in Asia (including India) received the largest percentage of HBI shipments for the first time in 2009. Almost 2.7 million mt of HBI, representing 45 percent of total shipments went to Asia/India.
Europe (including Russia and CIS countries) was the destination for slightly more than 1.6 million mt of HBI (27 percent of total shipments). South America accounted for 866,748 mt (14 percent), primarily as domestic shipments within Venezuela. The Middle East and North Africa received 502,429 mt (8 percent). North America, for many years the leading importer of HBI, dropped to only 364,668 mt in 2009 (6 percent).
