Introduction
As global steel production continues to grow, the demand for high-quality iron ore pellets is stronger than ever. Pellet quality directly impacts steelmaking efficiency and cost. While traditional bentonite has been widely used in pelletizing processes, its impurities and environmental concerns can limit pellet and steel quality.
To address these challenges, pellet plants are increasingly turning to organic binders. Compared to bentonite, organic binder not only improves pellet strength and controllability, but also reduces impurities and supports greener production.
In this article, we will explore what organic binders are, their role in modern pelletization, and how Jianjie’s high-performance organic binder is helping producers achieve cleaner and more efficient pelletization.
What Is an Organic Binder?
An organic binder is a material made from natural or synthetic polymers, such as starch or starch polymers, that helps fine particles, such as iron ore concentrate, bind together during pelletizing .
During pelletization, the binder forms a network around the particles, giving wet green iron ore pellets enough strength to withstand handling, drying, and firing. Unlike traditional inorganic binders such as bentonite, organic binders like starch or molasses-based formulations burn off completely during firing and leave less residue, which is important for producing cleaner and higher-grade pellets.
Why Organic Binders Matter in Iron Ore Pelletizing
In iron ore pelletizing, the choice of binder plays a critical role in determining pellet quality, production efficiency, and environmental performance.
The binder acts as a structural bridge between fine particles, influencing the strength, chemistry, and behavior of the pellets throughout the entire production process, from wet handling to high-temperature firing.
As the steel industry faces increasing demands for higher-grade pellets and greener production methods, rethinking traditional binder choices has become more important than ever.
Challenges with Traditional Bentonite
Impurity introduction: Adds SiO₂ and Al₂O₃, reducing Fe content and affecting steel quality
Lower pellet performance: Leads to poor porosity and less efficient reduction during downstream processes
Environmental concerns: Increasingly strict regulations require greener, low-emission production methods
Benefits of Switching to Organic Binders
Organic binders provide a modern solution to these challenges. Their key advantages include:
Higher Fe content: Reduce bentonite usage, lower the impurity content, producing cleaner pellets and improving steel quality.
Greener production: Burns off cleanly during firing, leaving minimal harmful residues.
Improved productivity: Enhance feeding speed and qualification rates, increasing overall efficiency.
Enhanced pellet performance: Improve porosity, supporting faster and more efficient reduction in blast furnaces or direct reduction furnaces.
Simply put, organic binders enable the production of stronger, cleaner, and more sustainable pellets, helping producers achieve both quality and environmental goals.
Optimizing Pelletizing with Jianjie’s Organic Binder
Building on the proven advantages of organic binders, Jianjie has developed a proprietary organic binder series designed for modern iron ore pelletizing.
These binders deliver strong performance, helping producers achieve higher efficiency, improved pellet quality, and more sustainable operations, while supporting customer success and promoting a greener future for the industry.
Benefits of Using Jianjie’s Organic Binder:
Increase Capacity & Productivity
Helps to enhance material feeding speed and pellet formation rate, improving overall production efficiency.
Reduce Impurities and Improve Fe Grade
Reduces bentonite usage to help lower SiO₂and AlO₃levels, while supporting the production of pellets with lower phosphorus and sulfur content and higher total iron (TFe) grade for cleaner pellet chemistry.
Enhance Pellet Strength -Wet compressive strength (Wcs) & Cold Compressing Strength(CCS)
Improves both wet and roasted pellet strength, reducing breakage during handling and ensuring higher CCS without compromising burst temperature.
Optimize Pellet Structure
Boosts pellet porosity, improving reducibility in blast furnaces and direct reduction operations.
Tailored and Protected Solutions
Offers customized formulations backed by over 20 patents and 40+ independent intellectual property rights, ensuring innovation, reliable quality, and dedicated technical support.
Pellets CCS Test
Organic Binders for a Greener Pelletizing Future
As the steel industry faces growing demands for cleaner production and higher-quality pellets, innovative binder solutions are becoming increasingly essential. Organic binders offer a path to improving pellet performance, reducing impurities, and supporting sustainable steelmaking.
Jianjie is dedicated to helping producers meet these challenges through advanced organic binder technology and comprehensive technical support. If you are looking to optimize your pelletizing process and achieve greener, more efficient production, we welcome you to contact us anytime to explore customized solutions tailored to your needs.
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