Prospects for coke industry

Modern predictions show that blast furnace process remains the main technology used during steel production. Coke is required for the blast furnace process. Steel consumption in 1999 was 752 million tons. It will be 867 million tons in 2005. In connection with this, consumption of coke can be higher in 2005 than in 1999. Coke oven batteries are old, and construction of new coke oven batteries is necessary. The main supplier of coke is China. Reconstruction of coke ovens in China is observed. Prolongation of service life of the existing coke oven batteries is provided in all countries of the world. Consumption of blast furnace coke will be 265 million tons. Total consumption of coke will be 349 million tons.