Iron Ore Pellets Market Report 2025

The iron ore pellets market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $60.29 billion in 2024 to $63.15 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to steel production growth, urbanization and infrastructure development, global automotive industry growth, environmental regulations favoring palletization, investments in mining infrastructure, resource abundance in key regions.

The iron ore pellets market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $80.22 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to demand for high-quality steel, stricter environmental standards, burgeoning wind energy sector, global trade dynamics, investments in upgrading pellet plants. Major trends in the forecast period include technology advancements in pelletizing, trade policies and export restrictions, integration of digital technologies, quality and specifications of iron ore pellets.

The increasing demand for steel in the construction sector is anticipated to drive the growth of the iron ore pellets market in the future. The construction industry is a major consumer of steel, accounting for over 50% of global steel demand. Iron ore pellets are essential in producing steel products widely utilized in construction projects. For example, in June 2022, the World Steel Association, a Belgium-based non-profit organization, projected a 0.4% increase in global steel demand, reaching approximately 1.84 billion tonnes (Mt). Additionally, steel demand was expected to grow by 2.2% in 2023, amounting to around 1,881.4 Mt. Consequently, the rising steel demand in the construction sector is expected to boost the iron ore pellets market.

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 instance, in 2022, 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 September 2024, Vale, a mining company based in Brazil, produced iron ore pellets and formed a partnership with Midrex. This collaboration aims to create environmentally friendly solutions that lower CO2 emissions in steel production. Vale's innovative briquetting process reduces production costs and CO2 emissions by approximately 80% compared to conventional pelletizing techniques. Midrex is a US-based provider specializing in direct reduction ironmaking technology.

Major companies operating in the iron ore pellets market 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 2024. 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.

Iron ore pellets represent processed iron-bearing material obtained from mining sites through pelletization or advanced treatment methods. These pellets, small balls of iron ore, are integral to the steelmaking process, utilizing previously discarded ore powder. They're a product of technological innovation aimed at maximizing ore utilization. Iron ore pellets find applications across various industries and are produced using diverse technologies like oxygen-based or blast furnaces and electric induction furnaces.

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.

The iron ore pellets market research report is one of a series of new reports that 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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