Metals & Mining Theme, Ferrous

January 02, 2025

Platts updates quality specifications of 63% Fe iron ore pellet CFR China assessments Jan 2

Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, has updated the quality specifications of its 63% Fe iron ore spot blast furnace pellet CFR China assessments, effective Jan. 2, to better reflect the specifications of material currently traded in the spot market.

The revised quality specifications, with higher alumina and silica content, more closely reflect the current typical quality of 63% Fe iron ore pellets being traded in the seaborne market.

Platts observed a change in alumina and silica content in seaborne 63% Fe iron ore pellets during the second half of 2024 and has feedback from market participants sharing the same observation.

Platts continuously reviews its assessment methodology and seeks to reflect the most up-to-date specifications observed for its market coverage.

The change sees the assessments' underlying alumina specification updated to 3.5% and that for silica amended to 4%, from 3% and 3.5%, respectively.

The assessments affected and the updated quality specifications are listed in the table below:

Assessment Code Mavg Specs prior to Jan 2 Specs effective Jan 2
Iron Ore Spot Blast Furnace Pellet Premium 63% CFR China IOCQS04 IOCQS03 63% Fe, 3% alumina, 3.5% silica, 0.07% phosphorus, 0.008% sulfur and 230 Cold Crushing Strength (CCS) 63% Fe, 3.5% alumina, 4% silica, 0.07% phosphorus, 0.008% sulfur and 230 Cold Crushing Strength (CCS)
Iron Ore Spot Blast Furnace Pellet 63% CFR China IOCQR04 IOCQR03 63% Fe, 3% alumina, 3.5% silica, 0.07% phosphorus, 0.008% sulfur and 230 Cold Crushing Strength (CCS) 63% Fe, 3.5% alumina, 4% silica, 0.07% phosphorus, 0.008% sulfur and 230 Cold Crushing Strength (CCS)

Platts initially proposed the update in a subscriber note published Nov. 5, 2024.

Following market feedback, Platts communicated its decision to proceed with the proposed changes in a subscriber note published Dec. 3, 2024.

Full details on the assessments can be found in the Platts Iron Ore specifications guide here: https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/our-methodology/methodology-specifications/metals/iron-ore-methodology(opens in a new tab).

The assessments are published on fixed page 1161 of the real-time Platts Steel Alert and Platts Metals Alert, in SBB Steel Markets Daily and in the Platts price database.

Please send all comments, feedback and questions to IODEX@spglobal.com and pricegroup@spglobal.com.

For written comments, please provide a clear indication if they are not intended for publication by Platts for public viewing. Platts will consider all comments received and will make those not marked as confidential available upon request.