Primetals Technologies Completes Study for MagIron to Develop U.S. Pig Iron Production
08/04/2026 - MagIron LLC announced that Primetals Technologies has completed a concept and economic study to develop large-scale granulated pig iron production for integration with its existing facilities in the U.S.
“The completion of the Primetals study represents an important milestone for MagIron and confirms that there are several technically credible and economically attractive routes through which we can establish large-scale domestic production of merchant pig iron,” said Julian Treger, executive chairman of MagIron.
The three alternative production routes include MIDREX® Flex direct reduction followed by electric smelting; MIDREX® Flex direct reduction followed by electric arc furnace and ladle furnace processing; and conventional blast furnace production.
MagIron said that while the U.S. currently imports most of the merchant pig iron its steel industry uses, its production could meet up to half of those requirements. It estimates an initial production level of about 2 million metric tons annually.
The study estimates the project has potential to deliver positive economics across the commodity cycle. MagIron said it believes initial commissioning and first hot metal could be achieved within 2 to 3 years after the final investment decision.
For more information, click here.
The three alternative production routes include MIDREX® Flex direct reduction followed by electric smelting; MIDREX® Flex direct reduction followed by electric arc furnace and ladle furnace processing; and conventional blast furnace production.
MagIron said that while the U.S. currently imports most of the merchant pig iron its steel industry uses, its production could meet up to half of those requirements. It estimates an initial production level of about 2 million metric tons annually.
The study estimates the project has potential to deliver positive economics across the commodity cycle. MagIron said it believes initial commissioning and first hot metal could be achieved within 2 to 3 years after the final investment decision.
For more information, click here.
