MIDREX®: The World's Leading DRI Production Process

MIDREX® is a gas-based shaft furnace process that converts iron oxides—in the form of pellets or lump ore—into direct reduced iron (DRI) and/or hot briquetted iron (HBI). MIDREX® technology is highly customizable and can be tailored to the specific customer's needs, resulting in various configurations. The long-term performance of MIDREX® direct reduction plants typically exceeds their rated capacity. This trend will continue with new technologies such as hydrogen utilization, dry dedusting systems, process water degassing, improved slurry treatment solutions, by-product recycling, and state-of-the-art automation and digitalization solutions like the successful DRIpax process optimization system.

The MIDREX® process is unmatched in the direct reduction industry in terms of production and flexibility, enabling it to meet the ever-changing needs of steelmakers and HBI producers. Adjustable product quality and the ability to produce various forms of iron, as demonstrated by some of the best production records in the industry, make MIDREX® plants one of the most profitable direct reduced iron plants in the world. In addition, with the ability to flexibly use up to 100% hydrogen, the MIDREX® process has the potential to become one of the cornerstones of the global strategy to decarbonize steelmaking.

As a licensee of MIDREX Technologies, Primetals Technologies has built several MIDREX® direct reduced iron (DRI) and hot briquetted iron (HBI) plants and can supply the full range of packages, including turnkey solutions. Approximately one-third of all MIDREX® plants worldwide have been built with significant involvement, including consortium leadership of Primetals Technologies. The MIDREX® process has the highest market share in the direct reduction shaft furnace market, accounting for approximately 80%.

Special Features of MIDREX®

The MIDREX® process is synonymous with high performance and reliability and can meet the full range of requirements. Today, most MIDREX® plant sizes range from 1.5 to 2.5 million tons annually. The shaft furnace-based MIDREX® process is an excellent investment, as it significantly reduces iron oxide costs while maintaining operational flexibility.

Most modern MIDREX® plants produce either hot direct reduced iron (HDRI) and cold direct reduced iron (CDRI) for internal use or HBI for commercial purposes. Hot direct reduced iron adds value by directly utilizing the high-temperature direct reduced iron (DRI) in the downstream steelmaking process for reduced electric arc furnace power consumption. At the same time, the MIDREX® hot briquetted iron (HBI) is the preferred choice for the safe transportation of direct reduced iron (DRI).

MIDREX® Capabilities

• Operates on 100% natural gas, 100% hydrogen, or any mixture of the two
• Efficiently reduces iron oxide pellets and lump ores of varying quality
• Produces reducing gas from natural gas via the reliable and efficient MIDREX® reformer
• Produces cold direct reduced iron (CDRI), hot briquetted iron (HBI), and hot direct reduced iron (HDRI), or any combination thereof.