Global DRI Output Drops Significantly In September

Preliminary data released by the World Steel Association suggests that global sponge iron (DRI) production recorded a marginal decline throughout September this year. Compared to the previous month, production decreased by 1.5%. In September this year, DRI production was 6.828 million tonnes, up from 6.936 million tonnes in the month before.

The top three DRI producers in September were Iran, India and Mexico. All three leading producer countries saw production declines from the previous month. India continued to be the leading DRI producer with an estimated production of 2.425 million tonnes. However, the country's production fell slightly from 2.435 million tonnes in the previous month. Iranian DRI output totaled 2.045 million tonnes, reporting a slight decrease from 2.111 million tonnes in August. Mexico's DRI output in September this year was 540,000 tonnes, again slightly down from the 557,000 tonnes recorded the month before.

Monthly production in thousands of tonnes of the other nine DRI producing countries is: Canada (137), Saudi Arabia (425), Argentina (137), Venezuela (30), Egypt (415), Libya (25), South Africa (97 ), Qatar (220) and the United Arab Emirates (331). DRI production in Argentina nearly doubled in a month. South Africa also reported significant increases in production. Venezuelan production has been steady.

The total DRI result for the initial nine-month period of the year was 62.526 million tonnes. The top three include India, Iran and Mexico.