Current state of ferroalloys production in Russia and CIS

Development of ferroalloy production directly depends on p ress of steel industry. Therefore, an increase in steel production inevitably entails an increase in the production of ferroalloys. Over the past 10 years, global steel production has increased by about 30 %. This article discusses general condition of the ferroalloy sector in the CIS countries and, in particular, in the Russian Federation. The main consumers (among Russian metallurgical enterprises) of ferroalloy products in the domestic market were listed, and the structure of production and consumption in other producing countries (China, India, the EU, USA, Japan) was examined. It was revealed that the overproduction of ferroalloys in the CIS countries is about 400 %. In addition, the ways of development of the ferroalloy field were also considered, aimed at reducing the contribution to the production cost of ore raw materials, reducing agent and electricity, which is achieved through the use of cheaper ore, the use of new types of processes and units, and development of other alternative types of ferroalloys, replacing classic ones. For example, it can be smelting in DC furnaces, which allows the use of small unprepared chrome ore as a raw material for the production of ferrochrome containing scarce lump in combination with small cheap reducing agent (anthracite). Melting in an oxygen reactor is also a promising technology, based on the principle of gaseous oxygen, which results in the reduction of carbon monoxide inside the unit itself. The alternative types of ferroalloy products can be used, such as calcium carbon “KAUR”, which can replace calcium carbide in steelmaking.