(Minews) - Iran continued to expand direct reduction iron (DRI) output last month, to push global production in February to 5.11 million mt, up 3.2% compared with a year earlier, according to World Steel Association data released Friday.
DRI output for Iran grew to 1.45 million mt last month, up 36% on February 2014, Worldsteel data showed.
The trend for DRI-based steel capacity expansion is likely increasing requirements for DR-grade pellets.
In contrast, Persian Gulf and North African DRI output saw a mixed picture of some slower growth or contraction.
Saudi Arabia's state-owned steel group Hadeed showed 2.5% annual growth to 412,530 mt of DRI last month, after the country reported a surge in January output.
DRI production in the United Arab Emirates last month grew 14% to 236,112 mt. Qatari output of 209,000 mt last month was down 1.4%.
Egypt accounted for 200,000 mt, contracting by 14%. Libya produced 62.5% less at 35,000 mt.
India accounted for 1.47 million mt of DRI output, down 6.5% year-on-year, based on preliminary estimated data. India's January DRI production was 1.62 million mt, according to revised final data.
