Top 10 Companies in the Sponge Iron Industry (2025): Market Leaders Powering Global Steel Production

In Business Insights
June 04, 2025

The Global Sponge Iron Market was valued at USD 726 Million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 1,128.19 Million by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.5% during the forecast period (2024-2030). This growth is driven by increasing steel demand in construction and automotive sectors, alongside the shift toward cleaner iron production methods that reduce carbon emissions compared to traditional blast furnaces.

As infrastructure development accelerates globally and steelmakers seek sustainable alternatives, sponge iron (Direct Reduced Iron) emerges as a critical feedstock. In this analysis, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Sponge Iron Industry—pioneers in gas-based and coal-based DRI technologies that are reshaping iron and steel manufacturing worldwide.


🔟 1. Mobarakeh Steel Company

Headquarters: Esfahan, Iran
Key Offering: Gas-Based DRI, Steel Products

As the largest flat steel producer in the MENA region, Mobarakeh operates one of the world’s most advanced gas-based DRI plants with 5.4 million tons annual capacity. Their MIDREX technology-based units serve domestic and export markets.

Production Highlights:

  • Runs 7 DRI modules simultaneously
  • 92-94% metallization rate achieved
  • Integrated with 10.4M ton steelmaking capacity

Download FREE Sample Report: Sponge Iron Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Tata Sponge Iron Ltd

Jamshedpur, India
Key知怎悟 Offering: Coal-Based DRI, Power Generation

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The Global Sponge Iron Market was valued at USD 726 Million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 1,128.19 Million by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.5% during the forecast period (2024-2030). This growth is driven by increasing steel demand in construction and automotive sectors, alongside the shift toward cleaner iron production methods that reduce carbon emissions compared to traditional blast furnaces.

As infrastructure development accelerates globally and steelmakers seek sustainable alternatives, sponge iron (Direct Reduced Iron) emerges as a critical feedstock. In this analysis, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Sponge Iron Industry—pioneers in gas-based and coal-based DRI technologies that are reshaping iron and steel manufacturing worldwide.


🔟 1. Mobarakeh Steel Company

Headquarters: Esfahan, Iran
Key Offering: Gas-Based DRI, Steel Products

As the largest flat steel producer in the MENA region, Mobarakeh operates one of the world’s most advanced gas-based DRI plants with 5.4 million tons annual capacity. Their MIDREX technology-based units serve domestic and export markets.

Production Highlights:

  • Runs 7 DRI modules simultaneously
  • 92-94% metallization rate achieved
  • Integrated with 10.4M ton steelmaking capacity

Download FREE Sample Report: Sponge Iron Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Tata Sponge Iron Ltd

Headquarters: Jamshedpur, India
Key Offering: Coal-Based DRI, Power Generation

A Tata Group company operating India’s largest coal-based DRI plant with 390,000 TPA capacity. The company pioneered waste heat recovery systems in sponge iron production and operates captive power plants from process gases.

Operational Advantages:

  • 98% plant availability rate
  • 0.82 tons coal/ton DRI efficiency
  • ISO 9001/14001 certified operations

8️⃣ 3. Jindal Steel & Power Ltd (JSPL)

Headquarters: New Delhi, India
Key Offering: Coal/Gas DRI, Steel Products

JSPL operates India’s first and largest 1.8 MTPA gas-based DRI plant at Angul, Odisha using MIDREX technology. The company also maintains coal-based DRI units with total 3.25 MTPA sponge iron capacity across multiple locations.

Technical Capabilities:

  • 93.5% average metallization
  • Waste gas utilization for power generation
  • R&D in hydrogen-ready DRI technologies


7️⃣ 4. Welspun Group


6️⃣ 5. Prakash Industries Limited


5️⃣ 6. Qatar Steel


4️⃣ 7. ArcelorMittal


3️⃣ 8. NMDC


2️⃣ 9. Sarda Energy & Minerals Limited


1️⃣ 10. United Raw Materials


🌍 Market Outlook: The Future of Sponge Iron Production

The global sponge iron industry stands at an inflection point as steelmakers accelerate decarbonization efforts while meeting growing infrastructure needs worldwide.

📈 Key Market Trends:

  • Transition from coal-based to gas-based DRI in emerging markets
  • Hydrogen-ready DRI plant investments in Europe and North America
  • Increasing CAPEX in Middle East gas-based mega plants
  • Digitalization of kiln operations and quality control
  • Rising demand from mini-mill steel producers

Get Full Report Here: Sponge Iron Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies profiled above are not just supplying raw material—they’re driving the sustainable transformation of iron and steel manufacturing globally.