Non-Agglomerated Iron Ore Concentrates and Iron Ores

Non-agglomerated iron ores and concentrates — materials that have not been pelletized or sintered — are a primary raw input for blast furnace and direct-reduction steelmaking, and their classification turns on both agglomeration state and physical form. The US schedule subdivides this heading into concentrates (2601110030), coarse non-agglomerated ore (2601110060), and non-coarse non-agglomerated ore (2601110090), distinctions that reflect different processing stages and end-use suitability. Sweden and Chile are the leading suppliers to the US, with Australia and South Africa also significant sources, underscoring the global nature of iron ore supply chains feeding domestic steel production.