Merchant Pig Iron (MPI) possess several advantages over other alternative iron products, specifically direct reduced iron and hot briquetted iron.
- MPI commands a price premium over DRI, with the premium being more than offset by higher value-in-use for EAF customers when making steel products.
- MPI is the highest quality iron product in the marketplace, possessing low residuals such as copper and low nitrogen, and is free of slag.
- MPI retains greater density which translates to increased charging rates and less storage space per ton, along with increased productivity from higher carbon percentages (4% vs. DRI/HBI at ~2%).
- MPI possesses comparatively high yields within the marketplace.
- Unlike DRI and HBI, MPI is virtually unaffected by moisture or storage time, resulting in a longer shelf-life.
