Industrial Mill Scale

High-density iron oxide byproduct (65–70% Fe) for blast furnace sinter burdens, cement manufacture and ferroalloys

Mill scale under HS 2619.00 is the hard, dense iron oxide layer formed on the surface of steel billets, slabs and hot-rolled profiles during continuous casting, reheating and high-temperature rolling operations. Composed primarily of wüstite (FeO), magnetite (Fe₃O₄) and hematite (Fe₂O₃), mill scale carries a total iron (Fe) content between 65% and 70%, with exceptionally low levels of silica, alumina and phosphorus. In integrated steelmaking, sinter plants blend mill scale directly into the sinter mix at 3% to 8% ratios; because the material is already largely free of chemically bound water and gangue minerals, it significantly enriches the metallic burden, increases sinter strand throughput, reduces coke breeze consumption, and lowers overall carbon emissions compared to virgin hematite ores.

Beyond sinter plants, mill scale is purchased by cement plants as an iron corrector in clinker raw meal blending to adjust the silica and alumina ratios, and by ferro-silicon (FeSi) and ferroalloy producers as a high-density, low-residual metallic charge. Sourcing originates from major steel rolling belts and coastal ship-recycling yards across South Asia (notably Chattogram in Bangladesh, where heavy cutting generates thousands of tonnes of dense scale monthly), India, Türkiye, Vietnam, Oman and the UAE. Logistics are governed by cargo density: with a stowage factor between 16 and 22 cu.ft/MT (bulk density ~2.5–3.0 t/m³), mill scale is an extremely heavy, concentrated deadweight cargo. Depending on moisture and particle sizing, it is classified under the IMSBC Code as Group B or Group A (cargoes which may liquefy); accordingly, shippers must furnish verified Transportable Moisture Limit (TML) and Moisture Content certificates sampled within seven days of loading to protect vessel stability. In addition, sinter plants enforce strict ceilings on residual oil and grease (typically ≤ 0.5–1.0%) to prevent condensation and fires in downstream electrostatic precipitators. CBIL is a commodity brokerage company and brokers prompt export parcels of industrial mill scale (15,000 to 30,000 MT) on geared Handysize bulk carriers on FOB and CFR terms, paired directly with LaycanDesk vessel chartering to provide seamless execution from load port stockpile to receiver jetty.

Need the ship as well? Our chartering desk prices Chattogram to Vietnam mill scale freight on LaycanDesk.

Excluded origins are not offered, including product re-exported, blended or re-processed through a third country. Every lot moves with a certificate of origin naming the producing plant, mine or grower country, and nothing is quoted before the seller and loading point are known.