TEHRAN- The production of billet and bloom in Iran rose 7.9 percent in the first nine months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-Decemebr 21, 2025), as compared to the same period of time in the past year, the Iranian Steel Producers Association (ISPA) reported.

The ISPA report shows that the country produced 15.027 million tons of billet and bloom in the nine-month period of this year, while the figure was 13.933 million tons in the same period of time in the previous year.

Billet and bloom are two intermediate semi-finished steel products, essential in the metal manufacturing chain. They are produced from continuously cast steel and are further processed into finished goods.

A bloom is a large, rectangular or square cross-section product, typically with a cross-sectional area greater than 230 cm² (36 in²). It serves as the starting material for rolling into larger structural shapes, such as heavy beams, rails, or large bars.

A billet is a smaller, square or round cross-section product, usually with an area less than 230 cm². Billets are rolled or forged into smaller, finished products like wire rods, reinforcing bars (rebar), merchant bars, and sections for the automotive and machinery industries.

The key distinction lies in their size and intended final use: blooms are for larger structural components, while billets are for smaller, more refined products. Both forms are crucial, as they allow for efficient transportation and storage before being reheated and shaped into their final forms in rolling mills or forging presses, optimizing the steel production workflow.

The Iranian steel sector is a cornerstone of the nation's industrial strategy and a major focus under its "Resistance Economy" doctrine, aimed at achieving self-sufficiency and reducing dependence on oil revenues. As the world's 10th largest steel producer, Iran leverages its vast domestic reserves of iron ore and natural gas to fuel a rapidly expanding industry.

Key players are predominantly state-owned or semi-state conglomerates, led by the Mobarakeh Steel Company, the largest producer in the MENA region. Other major entities include Khouzestan Steel Company (KSC) and Hormozgan Steel Company. Growth has been driven by significant investment in modern, direct-reduced iron (DRI) technology, which uses natural gas—a resource Iran holds in abundance. This makes Iran the global leader in DRI-based steel production, resulting in a relatively lower carbon footprint.

MA