- Business
- Ferrexpo plc is a leading European producer and supplier of high-grade iron ore pellets primarily used in the global steel industry to manufacture premium steel products. The company operates vertically integrated mining, processing, and pelletizing facilities located near Kremenchug in Ukraine, including the Gorishne-Plavninskoye, Lavrikovskoye, Poltava, Yeristovo, and Belanovo deposits. Its operations encompass iron ore mining, metallurgical beneficiation, pellet production, logistics, and marketing, serving steelmakers in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Ferrexpo produces a range of high-quality iron ore products, including blast furnace pellets with iron grades mainly at 67% Fe, commercial concentrate, and direct reduction (DR) pellets, which contribute to increased furnace productivity and reduced carbon emissions. The company maintains a strategic logistics network involving rail, barge, and sea routes, including assets in the port of Odessa, to support global distribution.
Recent major developments include a strong operational recovery in 2024 despite ongoing geopolitical challenges in Ukraine, with production and sales reaching their highest levels since the full-scale invasion in early 2022. Ferrexpo enhanced production flexibility by scaling pelletizing operations between one to three out of four pelletizing lines according to power availability and customer demand. The company increased output of its higher quality, higher margin DR pellets, further improving product mix and operational resilience. It also expanded its geographic sales reach beyond Europe to the Middle East and Asia, leveraging restored access to Ukrainian Black Sea ports. Capital expenditure projects continued with a focus on product quality and efficiency improvements, such as technology upgrades to strengthen pellet durability and reduce iron losses, contributing to lower Scope 1 emissions. The Group is reviewing its Wave 1 expansion program to add 3 million tonnes of annual production capacity but has deferred some investments due to current conditions.
Founded in 2005 and headquartered in London, Ferrexpo is publicly listed and operates within the mining and metallurgical industries, supplying a global customer base with premium iron ore products essential for steel production and the transition towards greener steelmaking. Its strategic asset base in Ukraine, coupled with vertically integrated operations and a global logistics network, positions it as a key player in the iron ore pellet market, focused on operational flexibility, product quality, and sustainability initiatives to navigate shifting market and geopolitical dynamics.
This description incorporates the core products and services offered by Ferrexpo, its geographic focus, and the latest significant operational and strategic changes through 2024 and 2025. The company emphasizes high-grade iron ore pellets with carbon reduction benefits and serves steel producers in major global markets while adapting to evolving operational challenges and market demands.