About Resource-Net

Resource-Net has been analysing these markets for more than 20 years. So it can rightly claim to be among the leading sources worldwide of market data and intelligence on metallurgical coke and coal!

A technical dicussion of these commodities follows:

Coke is produced by the destructive distillation of metallurgical coal in either vertical (by-products recovery) or horizontal (non-recovery) batteries. Its main use is as a reductant in the iron-making blast furnace. Various metallurgical and chemical processes also require coke's reducing properties. Foundry coke, with low ash (7-10%) and large sizing (>90mm), is used in cupola furnaces for the production of iron castings and stone wool insulation. Coke breeze is used in ore-sintering processes, as well as a sacrificial buffer in the manufacture of electrodes.

A coking coal is one that can be converted into coke by heating in the absence of air to drive off the hydrocarbons. When heated to a sufficiently high temperature, the coking coal passes through a transient plastic phase in which it softens, swells and then solidifies into a coherent cellular coke. A coal's “caking” properties are the main determinant of its suitability for coke production. Various caking tests measure its tendency to swell, become plastic and re-solidify during de-volatilization. To be suitable for coking, the coal must also produce a coke that meets certain strength and hardness requirements.

Anthracite is a low-volatile (<10%), high fixed carbon (>80%) coal used in industrial and other applications, as well as power generation (the latter accounts for the major part of total anthracite demand by far). We primarily divide the anthracite market into applications needing sized lumps and those for fines (<10mm typically). Anthracite lumps can be used as a low-cost replacement to metallurgical coke in various industrial processes, as well as a household fuel. They are also calcined (dried) for electrode and steelmaking applications. The main application for anthracite fines is as a fuel in ore sintering and pelletizing applications.

Resource-Net  offers monthly subscription reports on the coke, coking coal and anthracite markets. Key features of our research are the following:

• Price information obtained via continuous informal contacts with the market;
• Access to an unparalleled network of contacts, accumulated through almost 20 years of involvement with these industries;
• Maintenance of an extensive data-base of commodity market information;
• Collection and analysis of relevant statistical data on production and trade.

Subscribers to Resource-Net reports can be assured of a long-term consistency in the research approach. Subscribers to our research services include:

• Coal-mining companies;
• Coke and steel producers;
• Suppliers of engineering services to the coke industry;
• Commodity traders and shippers;
• Consumers of coke and anthracite in the non-ferrous metal and chemical industries;
• Foundries and stone wool producers, plus automotive groups consuming iron castings;
• Consultants to the steel and other coke-consuming industries;
• Financial institutions with an interest in these commodities.

Of the 200 plus customers for the monthly research reports, just over half are situated in the European region. The remainder are dispersed worldwide - in North and South America, Asia, South Africa and Australia.

Client-specific Research

Over the past 20 or so years, Resource-Net has accumulated an extensive knowledge of the metallurgical coke, coal and related markets. It can therefore undertake research assignments, for example:

• Price analysis on a particular coke or coal grade;
• In-depth research on a specific market segment for coke, anthracite or metallurgical coal;
• Other assignments according to the client's specifications.

Any site visitor with a requirement for such research is welcome to contact Resource-Net. A proposal would be prepared for research falling within our scope of expertise. It should be noted, however, that we prefer to work with companies already subscribing to our research service.

Background of Andrew Jones

Resource-Net was established in 2000 by Andrew Jones.

A graduate in metallurgy from the University of Sheffield in the UK, Andrew Jones has more than 20 years' experience in commodity research and analysis. In addition to his metallurgical qualification, he holds an MSc in Multinational Commerce from Boston University.