In October 2016, after two-and-a-half years of construction, the world’s largest and most state-of-the-art direct reduced iron plant was officially opened. With an initial investment of over $1 billion, the plant is one of the largest investments ever made in the United States. Each year, ArcelorMittal Texas HBI produces 2 million tons of high-quality HBI (Hot Briquetted Iron, or sponge iron), a sophisticated pre-material used in steel production.
ArcelorMittal Texas HBI's direct reduction plant is the largest plant of its type in the world
What is HBI?
Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI) is a premium form of DRI(Direct Reduced Iron) that has been compacted at a temperature greater than 650° C at time of compaction and has a density greater than 5,000 kilograms per cubic meter (5,000 kg/m3). The product is made from direct reduction iron ore pellets and offers predictable and homogenous metallurgical properties and is therefore used as a perfect feed material for production of demanding steel grades.
HBI was developed as a product to overcome the problems associated with shipping and handling of DRI - due to the process of compaction it is very much less porous and therefore very much less reactive than DRI and does not suffer from the risk of self-heating associated with DRI.
HBI from ArcelorMittal Texas is distinguished by low residual levels (Cu, Cr, Ni, Mo, Sn) as well as favorably low phosphorous and sulfur levels. Additional carbon in the HBI and a low fines content contribute to an improved yield in your EAF operation.