"Chromite has lots of uses" is a true but useless statement for a procurement memo. The useful version: each end-use demands a specific spec — Cr₂O₃ percentage, Cr:Fe ratio, AFS grain fineness, alkalinity profile — and a cargo that meets one spec rarely meets another. Approximately 85–90% of global chromite consumption is in ferrochrome for stainless steel (ICDA statistical bulletin, multi-year average); the remaining 10–15% is distributed across the nine other applications below. Here is each end-use with the spec it actually demands. For the assay numbers and commercial grades behind those specs, see chrome ore grades explained; for which of these sectors is actually growing in 2026, see chromite demand growth by sector.
1. Ferrochrome for Stainless Steel — 85–90% of Demand
Chromite reduced with coke in submerged-arc furnaces yields ferrochrome. Stainless steel grades require Cr content ≥ 10.5%, so most chromite flows through this path. Three ferrochrome grades trade separately: charge chrome (50–55% Cr, low-grade, the bulk market), high-carbon ferrochrome (60–70% Cr), and low-carbon ferrochrome (specialty grades with controlled C and Si). Feed spec: Cr₂O₃ 42–48% lumpy or UG2 concentrate, Cr:Fe ≥ 1.6 for charge, ≥ 2.0 for HC FeCr. Benchmark: quarterly European Charge Chrome Benchmark and Fastmarkets MB UG2 CIF China.
2. Refractory Bricks for Steel Furnaces and Cement Kilns
Chrome-magnesite refractory bricks line BOF / EAF steelmaking furnaces, cement rotary kilns, and glass tank furnaces. Spec: Cr₂O₃ 38–42%, Al₂O₃ > 14% (thermal stability), SiO₂ < 4%, controlled FeO. Major producers: RHI Magnesita, Vesuvius, Saint-Gobain. Refractory chromite is a separate trade from metallurgical-grade, often priced bilaterally.
3. Foundry Sand (AFS 40–60)
Chromite sand for precision casting in aerospace, defence, and high-performance industrial parts. Spec: Cr₂O₃ ≥ 46%, AFS Grain Fineness Number typically 40–60, sub-angular to rounded grain shape, low thermal expansion. Used at gas turbine blade castings (Howmet, PCC), nuclear-grade pump castings, and specialty steel investment casting.
4. Sodium Dichromate and Chromic Acid (Chemical Industry)
Lime-soda roasting of chemical-grade chromite produces sodium chromate, oxidised to sodium dichromate (Na₂Cr₂O₇) — the chromium-chemical feedstock. Spec: Cr₂O₃ ≥ 44%, SiO₂ < 1%, controlled alkalinity. Producers: LANXESS, Soda Sanayii (Turkey), Chinese chemical plants. Downstream products: chrome pigments, leather tanning agents (chrome tanning), wood preservatives, corrosion inhibitors.
5. Nickel-Based Superalloys (Aerospace)
Inconel, Hastelloy, and other nickel superalloys contain 15–22% Cr by mass. Used in jet engine turbine blades and combustion chambers operating above 1,000°C. The chromium contribution comes from ferrochrome (HC or LC depending on the specific alloy). End-customers: GE Aerospace, Rolls-Royce, Pratt & Whitney, Safran.
6. Hard Chrome and Decorative Chrome Plating
Chromium electroplating from chromic-acid solution provides decorative finishes and wear-resistant coatings. Hard chrome extends service life of hydraulic cylinders, moulds, and cutting tools by 5–10× over uncoated steel. Spec at the chemical level (chromic acid from Cr chemical chain, not direct from ore). Regulatory note: hexavalent chromium (Cr⁶⁺) processes are under REACH SVHC restriction in the EU with substitution toward trivalent processes ongoing.
7. Welding Consumables (Hardfacing Electrodes)
Ferrochrome is used in manufacturing hardfacing welding electrodes for wear resistance — protecting mining equipment, agricultural machinery, and earth-moving components. Welding-grade ferrochrome is HC FeCr at controlled C and Si. End-customers: Lincoln Electric, ESAB, Hyundai Welding.
8. Chrome Oxide Green and Chrome Yellow Pigments
Chrome oxide green (Cr₂O₃ pigment) and chrome yellow (lead chromate, PbCrO₄) are stable, lightfast pigments used in paints, plastics, ceramics, glass colourants, and military camouflage. Chrome yellow is under regulatory pressure due to lead content; chrome green remains widely used. Pigment-grade requires high-purity Cr₂O₃ (≥ 99%) processed from chemical-grade chromite.
9. Petrochemical Catalysts
Chromium-alumina catalysts (Cr₂O₃ on Al₂O₃ support) are used in ethylene polymerisation (Phillips polyethylene process — the dominant HDPE production route) and dehydrogenation reactions. Catalyst spec is chemical-purity, not ore-grade.
10. Glass and Ceramics Colourant
Chrome oxide is used as a green colourant in bottle glass (the green of wine bottles) and as a ceramic glaze component. The application is small in absolute volume but persistent.
Where Chromite-Application Claims Don't Hold
- Stating "70% of chromite goes to stainless steel." The actual share is 85–90% in ferrochrome consumption when counted through to stainless-steel-bound ferrochrome. Lower figures count direct chromite-to-stainless paths only.
- Interchanging chromite (FeCr₂O₄) and ferrochrome (Fe-Cr alloy). Chromite is the ore; ferrochrome is the smelter product. HS codes 261000 and 7202.41/49/50 respectively.
- Claiming chromite contains hexavalent chromium as mined. Cr⁶⁺ is generated downstream during roasting and specific chemical processes; the ore is trivalent Cr³⁺.
- Stating "chromium melting point" for chromite. The chromite mineral melts around 2,180°C; chromium metal melts at 1,907°C — separate values for separate substances.
- Assuming chrome-yellow pigment remains a growth segment. Lead chromate pigments are under tightening regulation; chrome-green is the resilient pigment market.
- Stating foundry-sand AFS without specifying grain shape. AFS number alone doesn't capture casting yield — sub-angular vs angular matters for permeability and mould stability.
What This Means for Procurement
The ten applications above use overlapping but distinct chromite specs. A buyer purchasing for ferrochrome cannot substitute foundry-grade material at the same price; a chemical-grade buyer cannot accept refractory ore. The procurement spec must name the end-use, the Cr₂O₃ range, Cr:Fe ratio (where relevant), SiO₂ cap, Al₂O₃ minimum (for refractory), AFS GFN (for foundry), and alkalinity (for chemical) — not the headline grade alone.
Next step: View Bare Syndicate's chrome ore portfolio — metallurgical, refractory, foundry, and chemical grades from Waziristan operations with full assay specifications, or contact our trading desk.
Additional Market Context
The International Chromium Development Association (ICDA) Quarterly Statistical Bulletin tracks chromite mine production, ferrochrome output, and stainless steel consumption. The USGS chromium commodity page provides annual production data. worldstainless (formerly ISSF) publishes monthly stainless steel production statistics with country breakdown. Fastmarkets MB UG2 Chrome Ore Concentrate CIF China and the quarterly European Charge Chrome Benchmark are the primary pricing references.
For procurement teams sourcing chromite, the South African Department of Mineral Resources and Energy quarterly production data, Glencore-Merafe ferrochrome operator disclosures, and Tharisa / Samancor / IFM operator updates inform supply-side dynamics. Pakistani Waziristan / Balochistan and Turkish chromite supply differentiation against South African Bushveld product is the core diversification trade.
Last reviewed: 2026-05-16. Spec ranges per ICDA and Fastmarkets standard market practice; verify against current ICDA statistical bulletin and AFS technical references for specific applications.
