Iron Ore, HBI/DRI,
Pig Iron & Precious Metals
Iron ore (fines, lump, pellets), Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI), Direct Reduced Iron (DRI), pig iron, scrap metal grades and precious metals (gold, silver, platinum) — supplied under formal Sale and Purchase Agreements with SGS / Bureau Veritas inspection at every load port. The full steelmaking raw material chain, from mine to furnace.
Key Supply Parameters
- Iron Ore Fines Fe 62–67.5%, CFR China basis
- Iron Ore Lump Fe 63–65%, CRI/CSR certified
- HBI Fe(total) ≥90%, Met. Fe ≥83%
- DRI / Sponge Iron Fe(total) ≥90%
- Pig Iron Basic & Foundry grades
- Scrap HMS 1&2 · Shredded · No.1 Heavy
- Gold / Silver / Platinum LBMA / LPPM grade
- Min. Order 1,000 MT (bulk) · 100 g (precious)
- Delivery Terms FOB · CFR · CIF · DAP
- Inspection SGS / Bureau Veritas / Intertek
From mine to furnace — every steelmaking input
Iron ore, HBI, DRI and pig iron are the primary raw material inputs for both blast furnace (BF-BOF) and electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking. Atabaş Group supplies all major grades from established mining and processing origins.
Iron ore fines (particle size <6.3 mm) are the dominant traded form of iron ore, used as sintering feedstock for blast furnaces. Fe content 62–67.5%, Al2O3 ≤2.5%, SiO2 ≤4.5%, P ≤0.07%, S ≤0.02%, moisture ≤8%. The S&P Global Platts IODEX 62% CFR China is the global price benchmark. Higher-grade fines (65%+) command a premium; lower-grade fines trade at a discount. Principal origins: Australia (Pilbara — BHPB, Rio Tinto), Brazil (Vale — IOCJ, BRBF), South Africa, India. Atabaş Group sources ore fines for bulk vessel programs at major exporting terminals.
Iron ore lump (6.3–31.5 mm) can be charged directly into a blast furnace without sintering, reducing energy cost and CO2 emissions. Fe 63–65%, lower Al2O3 and SiO2 than fines. Key quality parameters: CRI (Coke Reactivity Index) and CSR (Coke Strength after Reaction) determine blast furnace performance. Lump premium over fines benchmark varies with market conditions. Primary origins: Australia (Yandi, Brockman), Brazil, South Africa. Used by integrated steelmakers as a proportion of their blast furnace burden to reduce sinter plant load and energy consumption.
Iron ore pellets (9–16 mm spheres) are produced by agglomerating fine ore concentrate with binders and firing in a kiln. DR-grade pellets (Fe ≥67%, SiO2 ≤1.5%, Al2O3 ≤0.5%) are the feedstock for DRI/HBI production in shaft furnaces (Midrex, HYL/Energiron). BF-grade pellets are used in blast furnaces. Pellets offer high and consistent iron content, uniform size, good reducibility and low gangue — making them a premium raw material for both routes. Atabaş Group sources DR-grade pellets from established pellet plant operators for HBI production facilities and integrated mills.
HBI is direct reduced iron (DRI) compacted at 650–750°C into pillow-shaped briquettes. Fe(total) ≥90%, Metallization ≥83%, C 0.5–2.5%, S ≤0.02%, P ≤0.05%, density ≥5.0 g/cm³. The dense, stable physical form resists reoxidation and enables safe ocean freight — unlike DRI (sponge iron), which is hazardous for sea transport without special precautions. HBI is the premium EAF steelmaking charge, reducing dependence on scrap, lowering residual element contamination and improving finished steel quality. Atabaş Group has been an established HBI trader since 2023, with supply programs from Middle East producers (Abu Dhabi, Iran, Venezuela). Our HBI capability presentations have been developed for direct steel mill counterparties.
DRI (also called sponge iron) is produced by reducing iron ore pellets in a shaft furnace using natural gas (H2 + CO) without melting. Fe(total) ≥90%, Metallization 85–92%, C 0.5–3.5%. DRI is reactive and classified as IMSBC Group B hazardous cargo for sea transport — special vessel requirements apply (CO monitoring, moisture control, temperature checks). Shipped as hot DRI (HDRI) direct to adjacent EAF facilities or as cold DRI with precautions. Primary origins: Iran, India, Venezuela, UAE, Egypt. Atabaş Group can source cold DRI for buyers with appropriate port and handling infrastructure.
Pig iron is the product of smelting iron ore in a blast furnace. Two main commercial grades: Basic (steelmaking) pig iron — C 3.5–4.5%, Si ≤1.25%, Mn ≤1.0%, S ≤0.05%, P ≤0.10% — used as a clean, low-residual EAF charge substitute for scrap. Foundry pig iron — Si 1.0–3.5%, higher Mn — for grey iron and ductile iron castings (automotive, pipe, machinery). Atabaş Group sources basic pig iron from Brazilian (Minas Gerais), Ukrainian and Russian producers for EAF operators and foundries, supplied in standard notched-bar or granulated form in bulk vessel or big-bag packaging.
Ferrous scrap is the primary EAF steelmaking raw material globally. Main traded grades: HMS 1 (Heavy Melting Steel, clean uncoated steel ≥6 mm, ≤1.5 m length) — the benchmark export grade; HMS 2 (mixed heavy melting, thinner gauge, up to 10% galvanized/coated); HMS 1&2 blended (80:20 typical); Shredded scrap (machine-shredded auto bodies and light steel) — high bulk density, consistent chemistry; No.1 Heavy (structural sections ≥6 mm). Traded on a CFR Turkey basis (Turkish EAF mills are the world's largest scrap importers). Also: No.1 Busheling (industrial punching scrap, very clean, preferred by high-quality mills). Atabaş Group brokers scrap from US, EU and UK origins to Turkish and regional EAF mills.
Ferro alloys are used as deoxidants, desulphurisers and alloying additions in steelmaking. Key grades traded by Atabaş Group: FeSi 75% (ferrosilicon) — deoxidant and silicon source for steel and cast iron; FeMn HC (high-carbon ferromanganese, Mn ≥74%) — manganese addition and desulphurisation; FeMn LC (low-carbon, Mn ≥80%, C ≤0.1%) — for stainless and low-carbon steel; FeCr HC (ferrochrome, Cr ≥50%) — chromium addition for stainless steel; FeNi (ferronickel, Ni 20–40%) — nickel source for austenitic stainless steel. Origins: Kazakhstan, South Africa, India, China. Supplied in lump or granule form in big bags or in bulk.
Metallurgical coke (met coke) is the reducing agent and structural support medium in blast furnace ironmaking. Key quality parameters: CSR (Coke Strength after Reaction) ≥60%, CRI (Coke Reactivity Index) ≤28%, Ash ≤10%, S ≤0.6%, moisture ≤3%, size 25–80 mm. Blast furnace coke (BF coke), foundry coke and nut coke (for small blast furnaces) are the main grades. Coking coal (metallurgical coal) is the precursor — hard coking coal (HCC) and semi-soft coking coal (SSCC) grades from Australia, Russia and Canada. Atabaş Group sources met coke and coking coal for integrated steelmakers and ferroalloy producers.
Gold, silver & platinum — LBMA standard
Precious metals are traded to LBMA (London Bullion Market Association) and LPPM (London Platinum and Palladium Market) specifications. All transactions are executed against formal written agreements with full documentation and counterparty KYC/AML compliance.
Gold traded to LBMA Good Delivery specification (Au ≥99.5%, 350–430 troy oz bar, LBMA-accredited refiner hallmark) for institutional and central bank buyers. 99.99% (9999) four-nines fine gold for investment (kilobars, 100g bars) and industrial/electronics applications. Granule and shot form for jewellery manufacturers (Au 999.9). Pricing: LBMA Gold Price (PM fix) ± allocated premium. All transactions require AML/KYC compliance and documented supply chain from LBMA-accredited or equivalent refinery. Origin declaration and refinery certification mandatory.
Silver to LBMA Good Delivery specification (Ag ≥99.9%, 750–1,100 troy oz bar). Fine silver grain (Ag ≥99.99%) for industrial applications: photovoltaic (solar cell) pastes, electrical contacts, brazing alloys, medical devices and fine chemicals. Silver demand is split approximately 55% industrial / 25% physical investment / 20% jewellery and silverware. Pricing: LBMA Silver Price (daily auction) ± premium. Industrial silver is increasingly strategic for solar panel manufacturers (each panel requires ~20g Ag). Supply documentation includes refinery CoA and origin declaration.
Platinum (Pt) and palladium (Pd) to LPPM Good Delivery specification (≥99.95%, 1–6 kg bar, LPPM-accredited refiner). Platinum primary uses: autocatalyst (diesel vehicle three-way catalysts), jewellery, chemical catalysts (nitric acid, petroleum refining), hydrogen fuel cells and laboratory equipment. Palladium primary uses: autocatalyst (gasoline vehicle three-way catalysts, ~85% of demand), electronics (MLCC capacitors) and dental alloys. Both metals are sourced predominantly from South Africa (Bushveld Complex) and Russia (Norilsk Nickel). LPPM AM/PM fixing prices are the reference. Full supply chain documentation and AML/KYC compliance required.
Key parameters — cargo-level certification
Iron Ore & DRI/HBI — Key Quality Parameters
| Product | Fe Total | Metallization | C % | SiO2 Max | Al2O3 Max | S Max | Key Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Ore Fines (62%) | 62.0% min | — | — | 4.5% | 2.5% | 0.02% | Platts IODEX |
| Iron Ore Fines (65%) | 65.0% min | — | — | 2.5% | 1.5% | 0.01% | Platts IODEX |
| DR-Grade Pellets | 67.0% min | — | — | 1.5% | 0.5% | 0.01% | ISO 4700 |
| HBI | 90.0% min | ≥83% | 0.5–2.5% | 2.5% | 1.0% | 0.02% | ISO 15968 |
| DRI (Cold) | 90.0% min | 85–92% | 0.5–3.5% | 3.0% | 1.5% | 0.02% | IMSBC Group B |
| Basic Pig Iron | ~93–94% | — | 3.5–4.5% | 0.5% | — | 0.05% | ISO 8299 |
| Foundry Pig Iron | ~91–93% | — | 3.5–4.5% | 1.0% | — | 0.05% | ISO 8299 |
Scrap Metal — ISRI Grade Summary
| Grade | ISRI Code | Description | Typical Use | Price Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HMS 1 | 201 | Clean uncoated steel ≥6 mm, ≤1.5 m × 0.6 m | EAF primary charge | CFR Turkey |
| HMS 2 | 202 | Mixed heavy melting, thinner gauge, ≤10% galv./coated | EAF blend charge | CFR Turkey |
| HMS 1&2 (80:20) | 201/202 | Standard export blend 80% HMS1 + 20% HMS2 | Turkish EAF mills | CFR Turkey |
| Shredded Scrap | 211 | Machine-shredded auto bodies, high bulk density ~1.0 t/m³ | EAF, BOF | CFR Turkey |
| No.1 Heavy Melting | 200 | Structural steel ≥6 mm, wrought iron, ≤1.5 m × 0.6 m | EAF, BOF | CFR Turkey |
| No.1 Busheling | 210 | Industrial punching scrap, very clean, ≤12 inches | Quality EAF / BOF | Midwest US |
Precious Metals — Key Specifications
| Metal | Purity | Standard Form | Price Reference | Compliance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold (Au) | ≥99.5% (GD) · ≥99.99% (fine) | 400 oz bar · Kilobar · 100g · Granule | LBMA Gold Price (PM) | LBMA Responsible Sourcing |
| Silver (Ag) | ≥99.9% (GD) · ≥99.99% (fine) | 1,000 oz bar · 100 oz · Grain | LBMA Silver Price | LBMA Responsible Sourcing |
| Platinum (Pt) | ≥99.95% | 1 kg bar · 500g · Sponge | LPPM AM/PM Fix | LPPM Good Delivery |
| Palladium (Pd) | ≥99.95% | 1 kg bar · 500g · Sponge | LPPM AM/PM Fix | LPPM Good Delivery |
Trade & Supply Conditions
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum Order | Iron ore / HBI / pig iron: 1,000 MT · Scrap: 500 MT · Ferro alloys: 50 MT · Precious metals: by negotiation (min 100g gold) |
| Pricing Reference | Iron ore: Platts IODEX 62% CFR China ± grade premium/discount · Scrap: Platts Ferrous / TSI CFR Turkey · HBI: index-linked or fixed per SPA · Precious: LBMA/LPPM daily fixing |
| Delivery Terms | FOB · CFR · CIF · DAP — Incoterms 2020 |
| Load Ports (Iron Ore) | Port Hedland / Dampier (Australia) · Tubarão / Ponta da Madeira (Brazil) · Saldanha Bay (South Africa) |
| Load Ports (HBI / Pig Iron) | Jebel Ali (UAE) · Bandar Imam Khomeini (Iran) · Puerto Ordaz (Venezuela) · Tubarão / Vitória (Brazil) |
| Inspection | SGS / Bureau Veritas / Intertek at load port — mandatory on every cargo · Precious metals: assay certificate from LBMA/LPPM-accredited assayer |
| Documents | B/L · COO · Weight & Quality Certificate · SGS/BV Inspection Report · CoA · Commercial Invoice · (Precious metals: Assay Cert · KYC/AML Documentation) |
| Payment | Staged wire transfer · D/P · Escrow — documented in written SPA |
Steelmaking raw materials — with institutional structure
Iron ore (fines, lump, pellets), HBI, DRI, pig iron, scrap grades, ferro alloys, met coke and precious metals — all under one commercial relationship. Integrated supply programming across the full steelmaking raw material chain.
Active HBI supply programs since 2023. Supply presentations developed for direct steel mill counterparties (Rajhi Steel, El Marakby Steel, Suez Steel, Minelco, Secundo GmbH). Middle East and Latin American producer relationships established. EAF-grade quality guaranteed by SGS inspection at every load port.
Iron ore priced at Platts IODEX ± grade premium. Scrap at Platts Ferrous / TSI CFR Turkey. Precious metals at LBMA/LPPM daily fixing. All pricing components — base index, grade premium/discount, freight, insurance — itemised explicitly in the SPA before execution.
Independent weight and quality inspection at load port is non-negotiable. Iron ore cargoes: Fe%, moisture, SiO2, Al2O3, P, S per SGS/BV standard. HBI: Fe(total), metallization, density, C, S. Scrap: grade verification, radioactive contamination check. Every cargo, not every batch.
Three consecutive clean IFRS audit opinions. ISO 9001, 14001, 37001 and 45001 certified. UN Global Compact signatory. LEI registered (984500DB9C2D71FF8846). Revenue 63.6 billion TL (2025). OFAC/EU/UN sanctions screening applied to all counterparties.
Since 1981, one principle: no matter what, keep your word. In a commodity market where quality disputes and delivery failures are common, consistent execution on every commitment — on specification, on schedule, on documentation — is the only durable competitive position.
Common questions from steel and metals buyers
What is the difference between HBI and DRI, and why does it matter for sea transport?
DRI (Direct Reduced Iron / sponge iron) and HBI (Hot Briquetted Iron) are both produced by reducing iron ore pellets with natural gas (or hydrogen) without melting — the direct reduction process removes oxygen from iron ore to produce metallic iron. The critical difference is physical form. DRI is a porous, sponge-like material with low bulk density (~1.6–2.0 t/m³) that is highly reactive — it can absorb oxygen and moisture, generate heat (pyrophoric risk) and produce hydrogen gas in contact with water. For this reason, cold DRI is classified as IMSBC Group B hazardous cargo for sea transport. HBI is produced by compressing DRI at ~700°C into dense pillow-shaped briquettes (density ≥5.0 g/cm³). The high density dramatically reduces surface area and reactivity, making HBI safe for normal bulk vessel ocean freight without special precautions. This is why HBI — not DRI — is the internationally traded form of direct reduced iron.
How is iron ore priced and what is the IODEX 62%?
The S&P Global Platts IODEX 62% Fe CFR China is the global benchmark iron ore price — it represents the price per dry metric tonne of iron ore fines with 62% Fe content, delivered Cost and Freight to Qingdao, China. It is published daily and is the reference for physical contracts and iron ore derivatives (swaps, futures on SGX and CME). Higher-grade ore (65%, 67%) trades at a premium to the 62% benchmark; lower-grade ore trades at a discount. The premium/discount is not linear — it reflects steelmaker economics (blast furnace productivity, slag volumes, coke rate savings). Pellet premiums over IODEX are driven by DR-grade pellet quality (Fe, SiO2, Al2O3) and the relative economics of DRI versus scrap for EAF steelmakers.
What are the main ferrous scrap grades traded and how are they priced?
International ferrous scrap is classified by ISRI (Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries) codes. The main export grades are HMS 1 (ISRI 201 — heavy melting steel ≥6 mm, clean), HMS 2 (ISRI 202 — thinner gauge, some coated material), and shredded (ISRI 211 — machine-shredded automobiles and light steel, high density). The global price benchmark for exported ferrous scrap is CFR Turkey (cost and freight to Turkish Black Sea or Marmara ports) — Turkey is the world's largest ferrous scrap importer, consuming 20–25 MT/year for EAF steel production. The Platts Ferrous daily assessment (Turkey CFR) and the Turkish Steel Exporters' Association (TSI) price are the principal references. Scrap prices are highly volatile, driven by Turkish EAF mill demand, freight rates, US/EU export availability and Turkish lira exchange rate dynamics.
What compliance is required for gold and precious metal transactions?
Precious metal transactions — particularly gold — are subject to strict AML (Anti-Money Laundering), KYC (Know Your Customer) and responsible sourcing requirements. All counterparties must provide: corporate KYC documentation (registration, beneficial ownership, director IDs), source of funds and source of wealth declarations, refinery chain-of-custody documentation (LBMA Responsible Gold Guidance compliance for gold), and sanctions screening clearance (OFAC, EU, UN). LBMA Responsible Sourcing applies to gold: the metal must be traced to an LBMA-accredited or equivalent refinery that complies with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains. Atabaş Group applies these requirements to all precious metal counterparties and does not execute transactions without completed compliance documentation. Transactions without full provenance documentation will not be accepted.
What documentation does Atabaş Group provide for iron ore and bulk metal cargoes?
Standard documentation package for all bulk iron ore, HBI, pig iron and scrap cargoes: Bill of Lading, Certificate of Origin (chamber-endorsed), SGS / Bureau Veritas weight certificate (draft survey or conveyor belt scale), SGS / BV quality certificate (chemical analysis, moisture, size distribution as applicable), Certificate of Analysis from producer, Phytosanitary or other regulatory certificates as required by destination country, commercial invoice and packing list. For DRI/HBI: IMSBC compliance declaration and temperature log. For scrap: radioactive contamination clearance certificate. For precious metals: assay certificate from LBMA/LPPM-accredited assayer and full KYC/AML documentation package.
Enquire about iron ore, HBI & metals supply
Iron Ore Fines & Lump · DR-Grade Pellets · HBI · DRI · Pig Iron · HMS Scrap · Ferro Alloys · Met Coke · Gold · Silver · Platinum
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