Global production of direct reduced iron (DRI) set a new record in 2025, reaching 151.0 million tons (Mt) — an increase of 10.2 Mt, or 7.2%, over the previous record of 140.8 Mt achieved in 2024.
Looking further back, worldwide DRI production has grown by 46.2 Mt, or 44.0%, since 2020, driven by continued expansion of both gas-based shaft furnace and coal-based rotary kiln production.
MIDREX® Sets New Production Record
MIDREX® Plants also posted a record year, producing 82.3 Mt of DRI in 2025 — surpassing the previous record of 76.2 Mt set in 2024 by 6.1 Mt, or 8.0%. With this result, the MIDREX® Process accounted for 54.5% of total global DRI production and 81.5% of all shaft furnace DRI output worldwide.
About the Statistics
Midrex Technologies, Inc. compiles and publishes World Direct Reduction Statistics annually, providing the global iron and steel industry with a comprehensive resource on DRI production trends. To ensure the data's accuracy and representativeness, World Steel Dynamics (WSD) independently audits the collection and preparation processes Midrex uses each year.
The full report is available for download here: https://www.midrex.com/world-dri-statistics/world-dri-production-reaches-151-0-mt-in-2025/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2025Stats_Book&utm_id=2025STATSBOOK&utm_content=cta_button
Source: MIDREX
