Coking Coal (Metallurgical)

Description

1. Product Overview

This metallurgical-grade coking coal is a low-volatile, high-strength carbon feedstock specifically formulated for the production of blast furnace coke. It serves as the essential reductant in primary steelmaking, directly influencing hot metal quality, energy efficiency, and furnace campaign life. The key value proposition lies in its balanced caking properties and consistent ash chemistry, which reduce coke rate per tonne of steel. Strategically, securing this coal mitigates price volatility in seaborne metallurgical markets and ensures operational continuity for integrated mills.

2. Key Specifications & Technical Characteristics

• Chemical composition: Ash (≤9.5% adb), Volatile Matter (19–22% adb), Sulfur (≤0.55% adb), Phosphorus (≤0.035%)

• Purity level / Grade: Premium hard coking coal (CSR 65+%, CRI ≤25%)

• Physical characteristics: Black, blocky to angular particles; top size 50mm; bulk density 780–830 kg/m³; crucible swelling number (CSN) 7–9

• Packaging options: Bulk vessel loading (hold-stowed) or 1.5MT polypropylene jumbo bags on demand

• Shelf life: Stable for 12 months when stored dry and protected from prolonged rain or extreme temperature cycling

3. Core Industrial Applications

• Primary industry: Integrated steelmaking (BF-BOF route), ferroalloy production, and foundry coke manufacturing

• Specific operational use cases: Coke oven battery feed for blast furnace nut coke; PCI replacement layer in high-ratio BFs; blending component to raise CSR of lower-grade coals

• Why better than alternatives: Lower ash fusion temperature deviation reduces clinker formation; less sulfur cuts downstream desulfurization lime cost; higher micum index improves coke degradation resistance during burden descent

• Efficiency/cost advantage: Reduces coke rate by 4–6 kg/thm vs. regional average seaborne coals, translating to ~$0.85–1.20 savings per tonne of hot metal

4. Competitive Advantages

• Quality consistency: ISO 13909-certified wash plant with real-time ash monitoring; shipment-by-shipment deviation <0.3% ash, <0.05% sulfur

• Supply reliability: Dedicated 3.5Mtpa port terminal + 45-day rolling stockpile; force majeure history: zero in 5 years

• Logistics capability: Capesize (90–110kt) and Panamax (65–75kt) loading within 48 hours of berthing

• Price competitiveness: Long-term quarterly index-minus pricing (Platts / Argus premium low-vol benchmark) with bunker adjustment clause

• Environmental benefits: Methane drainage pre-mining reduces fugitive emissions by 32%; washed coal lowers plant particulate matter

5. Commercial & Supply Information

• Minimum order quantity (MOQ): BULK 20MT (trial lot) / standard contract 50,000MT per shipment

• Loading capacity: 1,250 MT per 20’ general purpose container (jumbo bagged); up to 110,000 MT per Capesize vessel