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TSM Hub → Ferroalloys → Ferrochromium (FeCr)

Ferrochromium (FeCr)

FeCr Ferroalloys Product page
High-Cr iron alloy (~50-70% Cr) — the dominant chromium feed to stainless steel.

Where to find live FeCr prices

Primary sources only

TSM does not display real-time FeCr quotes on this page — instead, we link directly to the regulated exchanges and benchmark price-reporting agencies (PRAs) that produce the actual numbers. One True Source for All: where the data originates, that is where you should read it.

Exchange access is free for delayed prices on most LME/SHFE/CME pages; live tick-by-tick data and PRA assessments are paid subscriptions sold by the exchange or by Fastmarkets / Argus / S&P Global Platts directly. See TSM Sources methodology for the full source tiering.

About Ferrochromium (FeCr)

Editorial · sourced

What is ferrochromium?

Ferrochromium (FeCr) is an iron-chromium master alloy carrying typically 50-70% Cr, used to supply the chromium content of stainless steel and chromium-bearing alloy steels. Charge-grade (high-carbon) FeCr has 6-8% C and is the dominant tonnage form; medium-carbon (2-4% C) and low-carbon (≤1% C) FeCr feed specialty stainless and tool steels. FeCr is smelted in submerged-arc electric furnaces from chromite ore (FeCr₂O₄) and reductant coke. Per USGS MCS 2026 Chromium, virtually all chromium consumption in metallurgy goes to stainless steel (minimum 10.5% Cr defines stainless) and superalloys, with Cr added via FeCr, chromium metal, or Cr-bearing scrap.

How FeCr is priced

FeCr has no regulated futures contract. The historic global reference is the European quarterly benchmark, negotiated each quarter between Glencore-Merafe and major European stainless mills (Outokumpu, Acerinox, Aperam) — widely cited but a contract not a benchmark administrator price. Daily and weekly assessments come from Fastmarkets, Argus Media and the Chinese domestic spot service SMM. USGS reports US annual average prices for FeCr in the MCS chapter (cents per pound, Cr-content basis): 2021 $1.50/lb, 2022 $3.19, 2023 $2.55, 2024 $1.76, 2025e $1.60.

Where FeCr comes from

Country-level global FeCr production is not a primary-source statistic. The most-cited proxy from USGS MCS 2026 Chromium is US import source shares (2021-24 average, Cr content basis):
  • South Africa 41% — by far the world's largest FeCr producer (Bushveld Igneous Complex hosts ~80% of world economic chromite reserves)
  • Kazakhstan 24% — ERG / Kazchrome (Aksu, Aktobe)
  • Russia 6%
  • Finland 5% — Outokumpu Tornio integrated stainless complex
  • Other 24% (India, China, Zimbabwe, Albania)
US apparent imports for consumption (FeCr Cr content) in 2025: 520 kt. The leading global producer of FeCr and stainless steel is China (combined output of FeCr from domestic ferro-chromium furnaces and large-volume integrated stainless via Tsingshan in Indonesia).

Who produces FeCr

The global FeCr producer base is concentrated in South Africa, Kazakhstan and Finland:
  • Glencore-Merafe Chrome Venture (Glencore 79.5% / Merafe 20.5%) — South Africa: Lion, Lydenburg, Rustenburg, Wonderkop, Boshoek smelters. Together the largest-tonnage FeCr producer in the Western world.
  • Samancor Chrome — South Africa: Middelburg, Western Chrome Mines, TC Smelters.
  • Eurasian Resources Group (ERG) — Kazakhstan: Kazchrome (Aksu and Aktobe ferroalloy plants, Donskoy Ore Mining and Processing).
  • Outokumpu — Finland: Tornio ferrochrome works + Kemi chrome mine (the only domestic-ore FeCr-stainless integration in Europe).
  • Tharisa — South Africa: Tharisa mine and Arxo metals.
  • Tsingshan — China + Indonesia stainless integration (sources Cr from Zimbabwe Afrochrome and Albania).
  • Mintal Group (China) and other Chinese smelters.

What FeCr is used for

Stainless steel absorbs essentially all FeCr produced — the global stainless market (~60 Mt/yr crude melt) is the sole large-volume end-market. Sub-allocations:
  • Austenitic 300-series stainless (304, 316) — contains 16-20% Cr.
  • Ferritic 400-series stainless (430, 409) — 11-18% Cr, no nickel.
  • Martensitic stainless (410, 420) for cutlery and tool steel — 12-14% Cr.
  • Duplex stainless (2205, 2507) for chemical plant — 22-25% Cr.
  • Ni-based superalloys for jet engines and gas turbines — Cr addition via FeCr or pure Cr metal.
FeCr demand correlates almost 1:1 with stainless production growth and is therefore highly sensitive to construction, infrastructure and chemical-process capex cycles.

Key facts about FeCr supply

  • Chromium is on the USGS 2025 Critical Minerals list; the US has no domestic chromium mine production and is 100% net-import-reliant.
  • South Africa's Bushveld Complex hosts the world's largest chromite resource by far; load-shedding (electricity supply) and rising power costs at Eskom are the main structural constraint on South African FeCr output.
  • The International Chromium Development Association (ICDA) publishes industry statistics and methodology guidance for chromium life-cycle and emissions reporting.
  • Reserves: see parent Chromium page for upstream chromite-ore reserves country-by-country.

Data sources

Editorial principle: every figure on TSM Hub product pages is sourced from an official primary publication (USGS, LME, World Steel Association, EU regulation, or industry association). No Wikipedia or aggregator citations.

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