Coking Coal Derivative · Cupola & Blast Furnace

Metallurgical Coke (Met Coke)

冶金焦 · Foundry & Blast Furnace Grades

Chinese metallurgical coke produced from premium Shanxi and Shandong coking coal. Foundry coke for cupola furnace operations, blast furnace coke for iron production, and coke breeze for sinter plants. Multiple sizes from 0–10mm breeze to 40–90mm BF lump.

At a Glance

Fixed Carbon≥ 86%
Sulphur≤ 0.7%
Ash≤ 12%
Standard Sizes10–25 · 25–40 · 40–90mm
CSR≥ 60%
FOB China$300–500 / MT

Product Overview

Metallurgical coke (or "met coke") is the carbonized residue of coking coal — produced by heating bituminous coal in oxygen-free coke ovens at 1000–1100°C for 14–36 hours. The process drives off volatile matter, sulphur compounds and water, leaving a hard, porous, high-strength carbon block.

Global Vista sources metallurgical coke from major Chinese coking plants in Shanxi, Shandong, Hebei and Inner Mongolia — provinces home to the largest coking coal reserves in China. We supply three grade families: blast furnace coke (25–80mm, for iron smelting), foundry coke (60–90mm, for cupola furnaces), and coke breeze (0–10mm, for sinter plant fuel).

Note: Metallurgical coke is fundamentally different from calcined petroleum coke (CPC). Different raw material (coal vs petroleum), different process (coking vs calcination), different applications (iron smelting/cupola vs aluminium/recarburizing). See our petroleum coke primer for the full contrast.

Technical Specifications by Grade

Parameter Foundry Coke Blast Furnace Coke
Fixed Carbon (F.C.) min≥ 88%≥ 86%
Ash max≤ 10%≤ 12%
Sulphur (S) max≤ 0.6%≤ 0.7%
Volatile Matter (V.M.) max≤ 1.5%≤ 1.8%
Moisture max≤ 5%≤ 5%
Phosphorus (P) max≤ 0.035%≤ 0.04%
CSR (Coke Strength after Reaction)≥ 65%≥ 60%
CRI (Coke Reactivity Index)≤ 25%≤ 28%
Standard Sizes60–90mm, 40–90mm25–80mm, 25–40mm
FOB China (USD/MT)$400–500$300–400

* Values guaranteed by COA. CSR/CRI testing per ASTM D5341. Lower-spec semi-coke ("LAM coke") available at $250–350/MT for non-critical applications.

Available Sizes

0–10mm

Coke breeze

Sinter plant fuel, briquette feedstock, ferroalloy SAF charging.

For: sinter plants

10–25mm

Nut coke

Small cupola furnaces, induction furnace carbon supplement, ferroalloy production.

For: small cupolas

25–40mm

Standard BF coke

Mid-size blast furnace charge, larger cupola foundries.

For: BF + medium cupolas

40–90mm

Premium foundry coke

Premium cupola operations and large blast furnaces requiring high CSR.

For: premium foundries

Applications

Blast Furnace Iron Production

Primary fuel and reductant in blast furnaces. Met coke reacts with iron oxide ore to produce metallic iron and CO₂. Each tonne of hot metal consumes 350–500 kg of coke.

Spec: CSR ≥ 60%, CRI ≤ 28%, 25–80mm

Foundry Cupola Furnaces

Combined fuel + carbon source in cupola melting of cast iron. Foundry coke provides both the heat to melt scrap and the carbon that recarbures the iron to 3.0–3.8% C.

Spec: F.C. ≥ 88%, S ≤ 0.6%, 60–90mm

Ferroalloy Production

Carbon reductant in submerged-arc furnaces for FeSi, FeMn, SiMn and FeCr production.

See: FeSi grade guide

Sinter Plant Fuel

Coke breeze (0–10mm) is mixed with iron ore fines and limestone, then ignited in sinter strands to produce blast furnace feed sinter.

Lime & Calcium Carbide Kilns

Fuel and reductant for vertical and rotary lime kilns. Calcium carbide production uses met coke to reduce calcium oxide at 2000°C.

Foundry Recarburizing (Cost-Sensitive)

Nut coke (10–25mm) can be used as a low-cost cast iron recarburizer in induction furnaces, though higher-purity options (GCA, GPC) are preferred for premium grades.

Quality Assurance

  • Mill Test Certificate (COA)

    F.C., Ash, S, V.M., Moisture, P, CSR, CRI per lot.

  • Third-Party Inspection

    SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek or CIQ pre-shipment.

  • Sieve Analysis

    % passing each size — ensures correct lump/fine ratio.

  • CSR/CRI Testing

    ASTM D5341 hot-strength testing for blast furnace grades.

Logistics

  • Origin Ports

    Tianjin Xingang · Qingdao · Caofeidian · Rizhao

  • Packaging

    Bulk vessel (handysize/supramax) for large orders. 1MT jumbo bags for container shipments.

  • Incoterms

    FOB, CFR, CIF, DAP available.

  • Payment Terms

    T/T 30/70 or irrevocable L/C at sight. USD / EUR / JPY.

  • Lead Time

    15–30 days from order confirmation (vessel-dependent for bulk).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is metallurgical coke?

Metallurgical coke ("met coke") is a solid carbon material produced by heating coking coal in oxygen-free ovens at 1000–1100°C for 14–36 hours. Used as fuel + reductant in blast furnaces, cupolas, ferroalloy submerged-arc furnaces and lime kilns.

What is the difference between metallurgical coke and petroleum coke?

Different raw materials and applications. Met coke comes from coking coal and is used in blast furnaces and cupolas. Petroleum coke (CPC/GPC) comes from petroleum refinery residue and is used in aluminium anodes and steel recarburizing. They are NOT interchangeable.

What is foundry coke vs blast furnace coke?

Foundry coke is high-quality met coke specifically for cupola furnaces — larger size (60–90mm), higher strength, lower ash and sulphur. Blast furnace coke is the bulk grade (25–80mm) for iron smelting. Foundry coke commands a $50–150/MT premium.

What are CSR and CRI?

CSR = Coke Strength after Reaction (higher is better, typical ≥ 60%). CRI = Coke Reactivity Index (lower is better, typical ≤ 28%). Together they define blast furnace performance — premium BF operations require CSR ≥ 65% and CRI ≤ 25%.

What is the minimum order quantity?

Bulk vessel shipments: minimum 2,000–5,000 MT. Container shipments in 1MT jumbo bags: minimum 25 MT (one 20ft container).

Is metallurgical coke subject to Chinese export controls?

Standard met coke is freely exportable. Some Chinese provinces have implemented voluntary export quotas to manage domestic supply, which can cause spot-price volatility. We handle all customs documentation and CCPIT certification.

Request a Quote

Specify your grade (foundry/blast furnace), size, quantity and destination port. Response within one business day.

Related Products & Reading