Sponge iron production volume in India 2016-2022
The production volume of sponge iron in India accounted for more than 42 million metric tons at the end of 2022. This volume was an increased comparing to the previous year. A decrease could be observed in 2020 mainly due to the impact of coronavirus pandemic. Since 2003, India was the world’s largest producer of sponge iron.
Production from iron ore
Sponge iron is produced by treating iron ore with coal at a temperature below the melting point of iron. This process results in the formation of sponge iron that is spongy and metallic in nature. During the process of manufacturing sponge iron, the goal is to remove oxygen from the iron ore. It is also known as direct reduced iron. Most sponge iron producing units were in the mineral-rich states of India. The country produced more than 80 percent of the sponge iron by coal-based units.
Production from natural gas
Another method to produce sponge iron was by using natural gas instead of iron ore. This method produced half the amount of carbon dioxide in comparison to coal-based method because natural gas has less carbon in comparison to coal. In 2020, the production volume of sponge iron by natural gas unit was at 18 percent. The amount of natural gas required in steel sector was increasing year by year.
Production from iron ore
Sponge iron is produced by treating iron ore with coal at a temperature below the melting point of iron. This process results in the formation of sponge iron that is spongy and metallic in nature. During the process of manufacturing sponge iron, the goal is to remove oxygen from the iron ore. It is also known as direct reduced iron. Most sponge iron producing units were in the mineral-rich states of India. The country produced more than 80 percent of the sponge iron by coal-based units.
Production from natural gas
Another method to produce sponge iron was by using natural gas instead of iron ore. This method produced half the amount of carbon dioxide in comparison to coal-based method because natural gas has less carbon in comparison to coal. In 2020, the production volume of sponge iron by natural gas unit was at 18 percent. The amount of natural gas required in steel sector was increasing year by year.
