With the integration of these agglomeration processes, SMS group broadens its upstream offering for iron ore preparation and strengthens its position in direct reduction and conventional ironmaking routes.
Based on Metso’s Circored fluidized-bed direct reduction technology, SMS group is developing a hydrogen-based process route that combines fluidized-bed reduction with the company’s Open Bath Furnace (OBF) technology in a two-stage configuration. In contrast to conventional direct reduction plants that require high-grade pellets with defined mechanical properties, the Circored-OBF route is designed to process iron ore fines with lower Fe contents. This reduces upstream preprocessing requirements and increases flexibility in feedstock selection and site-specific energy concepts.
