The Benefits of Mill Scale Recycling in Steel Production

In steel production, efficiently managing by-products like mill scale and other steel waste is essential for sustainability, cost control, and emission reduction. Mill scale, a steel waste formed during hot rolling, contains over 70% iron, making it a valuable resource when properly recycled.

As steel plants face increasing pressure to meet sustainability goals, mill scale recycling has become a key strategy. It helps reduce solid waste, improve resource utilization, and lower environmental impact, all while supporting cost-effective production.

Jianjie Group offers innovative, customized briquetting solutions for industrial by-products. By combining mill scale with our eco-friendly binders, we create strong, reusable briquettes that are directly usable in steel production. This supports efficient, circular, and sustainable production.

Mill Scale Briquettes

What is Mill Scale?

Mill scale, also known as iron oxide scale, is an iron-containing oxide layer formed on the surface of steel during high-temperature processes such as hot rolling, forging, or reheating. Key characteristics include:

Iron Content: Approximately 70%-75% iron oxides, mainly ferrous oxide (FeO), ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃), and ferrous ferric oxide (Fe₃O₄) (according to industry reports).
Appearance: Typically blue-black or reddish flakes
Additional Components: Small amounts of manganese, silicon, and carbon
Formation: Result of steel surface reacting with oxygen in air at high temperatures
Physical Form: Fine, brittle particles that detach from the steel surface
Collection: Usually gathered via dust removal systems

Despite its rich iron content (generally 70% to 75%), mill scale is often underutilized due to its fine particle size and brittle nature. However, with proper treatment and processing, iron oxide scale can serve as a valuable secondary iron source, not only for steel production but also in cement, chemical, metallurgical, and power industries.

Key Benefits of Mill Scale Recycling for Steel Producers

Mill scale recycling offers multiple benefits for steel producers, aligning with both economic and environmental goals. Key advantages include:

Valuable Source of Iron

Mill scale is rich in Fe content and can partially replace iron ore or sinter in steelmaking, reducing dependence on virgin raw materials.

Cost Efficiency

Reusing in-house mill scale helps cut down on raw material costs, transport, and waste disposal fees.

Improved Process Stability

When properly cold briquetted, mill scale ensures consistent feedstock quality and enhances furnace operation efficiency.

Environmental Compliance

Recycling mill scale reduces solid waste generation, helping steel plants meet regulatory standards and lower landfill use.

Closed-Loop Resource Use

Internal recycling of mill scale supports circular production, maximizing resource utilization within the plant.

Supports Decarbonization

By substituting natural ore, mill scale recycling helps reduce emissions associated with mining and long-distance transportation.

How Mill Scale Benefits Are Realized: Briquetting and Binder Solutions

Briquetting Mills Scale and Iron Fines Using Jianjie Binder

To transform mill scale from a challenging solid waste into a valuable resource, briquetting combined with a suitable binder system provides an efficient and practical pathway. This section outlines how the briquetting process works and how Jianjie’s customized binder solutions support steelmakers in overcoming technical challenges and maximizing value.

The Role of Briquetting in Mill Scale Recycling

Briquetting efficiently recycles mill scale by compressing fine, dusty material into solid briquettes at room temperature, improving both operational handling and environmental performance.

Improved Handling and Logistics

Briquettes are denser and more uniform than powders, making them easier to transport and store with reduced dust loss and material wastage.

Enhanced Resource Utilization and Process Quality

Recycled briquettes can be reused in blast furnaces or sintering, reducing dependence on virgin iron ore while improving reduction reactions and pig iron quality.

Environmental and Waste Management Benefits

Using briquetted mill scale lowers greenhouse gas emissions, reduces solid waste discharge, and supports integrated recycling by co-briquetting with steel slag or fly ash, which also cuts disposal costs.

Jianjie Binder Solutions for Mill Scale Briquetting

Jianjie binder for mill scale

To unlock the full potential of mill scale recycling, an effective cold briquetting process is essential. However, due to mill scale’s fine particle size, weak natural cohesiveness, and possible impurities such as residual oil or moisture, processing it into stable briquettes requires a carefully engineered binder system.

Jianjie specializes in providing tailored briquetting binder solutions that are specifically designed for iron-bearing by-products like mill scale. Drawing on our deep experience in cold briquetting and solid waste utilization, we offer binder systems that ensure both performance and adaptability across various production scenarios.

Jianjie binder solutions provide:

✅Exceptional Briquette Strength

Delivers high mechanical integrity for safe handling, storage, and direct furnace charging.

✅Versatility Across Equipment

Compatible with a wide range of briquetting presses and suitable for RHF and other reduction processes.

✅End-to-End Technical Support

From lab testing and pilot trials to on-site technical assistance and ongoing formulation refinement.

With Jianjie’s innovative binder technology, steel plant can efficiently transform mill scale into durable, reusable briquettes, enhancing plant material flow, lowering production costs, and aligning operations with long-term sustainability goals.

Drive Sustainable Mill Scale Recycling with Jianjie’s Expert Binder Solutions

Mill scale recycling is not just a waste management strategy. It is a value-adding process that supports cost reduction, environmental responsibility, and circular production in steel manufacturing. By adopting briquetting technology and leveraging effective binder solutions, steel plants can transform this often-overlooked by-product into a source of long-term operational efficiency and environmental benefits.

Jianjie Group specializes in the development and application of binders for briquetting. With proven technologies and extensive industry experience, we help steel producers convert mill scale into strong and stable briquettes. This enhances resource utilization, reduces operational costs, and supports green, circular development in steel production.