Bangladesh continues to increase imports of metallic owing to increasing melting capacities. According to data maintained by SteelMint, Bangladesh imported 612,009 MT metallic (365,550 MT HBI, 125,150 MT Pig Iron and 121,309 MT Sponge Iron) during first 10 months of 2016 (Jan-Oct).
The country majorly imports Pig iron/HBI from India and Russia. However, sponge iron imports is majorly from India via roadways as India is one of the major producer of sponge iron and there is less voyage time.
Bangladesh Pig Iron/HBI/Sponge iron imports during Jan-Oct’16
| Month |
HBI |
Pig Iron |
Sponge Iron |
Grand Total |
| Jan’16 |
30,000 |
– |
7,619 |
37,619 |
| Feb’16 |
93,500 |
– |
13,223 |
106,723 |
| Mar’16 |
– |
24,000 |
13,420 |
37,420 |
| Apr’16 |
80,800 |
44,200 |
12,088 |
137,088 |
| May’16 |
– |
3,200 |
10,035 |
13,235 |
| Jun’16 |
– |
– |
22,017 |
22,017 |
| Jul’16 |
14,550 |
– |
14,225 |
28,775 |
| Aug’16 |
46,700 |
20,000 |
13,262 |
79,962 |
| Sept’16 |
50,000 |
33,750 |
8,961 |
92,711 |
| Oct’16 |
50,000 |
– |
6,459 |
56,459 |
| Grand Total | 365,550 | 125,150 |
121,309 |
612,009 |
Quantity in MT
Source: SteelMint Stats, Customs
Provisional Data
Note: Sponge iron imports considered is from India via roadways.
Imports will increase further on rising melting capacities
As we have reported earlier, around 2 MnT fresh steel melting capacities are coming up in Bangladesh due to upsurge in demand.
Current steel melting capacities stand at over 3 MnT in Bangladesh. Abul khair being the largest with an annual capacity of 1.8 MnT followed by BSRM (Bangladesh Steel Rolling Mill) with an installed capacity of over 1 MnT.
Other manufacturers are in the process of either setting up new melting units or expanding the existing ones. Prime reason is consistent increase in import duty on billets over last few years by Bangladesh government.
It is anticipated that Bangladesh Pig iron/HBI/Sponge Iron imports is likely to increase on the grounds of rising steel melting capacities.
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