HOW INDIA SOURCES
ITS CHROME ORE
India is different from most chrome-ore markets: it has a substantial domestic chromite base, concentrated in the Sukinda Valley in Odisha, and a large ferrochrome and stainless industry that runs primarily on that home supply. So India is a selective importer, not a structural one — and being honest about that is the point.
Where South African ore earns its place is at the margins that matter: higher Cr:Fe lumpy for charge-chrome yield, specific chemistries a producer can't source domestically, blend feed to lift furnace grade, and supply security when domestic ore, mining leases or inland logistics tighten. Coastal smelters near the west- and east-coast ports are the natural fit for seaborne SA cargoes.
WHAT SUITS INDIAN PRODUCERS
The grades we place into India most often. Indian charge-chrome producers typically favour higher Cr:Fe lumpy; exact chemistry is fixed on the Certificate of Analysis per parcel.
| Grade / Form | Cr₂O₃ · Cr:Fe | Typical use in India |
|---|---|---|
| Lumpy Ore | 40–44% · ≥ 1.6 : 1 | Preferred direct charge for HC ferrochrome yield |
| Metallurgical Concentrate | 42–46% · ≥ 1.5 : 1 | Blend feed to lift grade / Cr:Fe |
| UG2 Concentrate | 40–42% · 1.5–2 : 1 | Cost-effective blend where furnaces accept it |
| Chemical / Foundry | ~44–46% | Chrome-chemical and foundry-sand consumers |
Indicative ranges. Cr₂O₃ is certified on a stated moisture basis with a pro-rata price adjustment per 1% deviation and a rejection threshold, all fixed in the contract. Send your target spec and we match a parcel from a licensed mine or wash plant.
PORTS, INCOTERMS
& PARCELS
We coordinate inspection, freight and insurance through established logistics partners — loading from South African bulk ports to the main Indian discharge ports.
| SA Load Port | India Discharge Ports | Incoterms 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Durban | Nhava Sheva (JNPT) · Mundra | CIF / CFR (or FOB Durban) |
| Richards Bay | Visakhapatnam · Paradip · Chennai | CIF / CFR (or FOB Richards Bay) |
Weight by draft survey at load port; ±10% vessel tolerance (your L/C must permit it); partial shipments and transshipment allowed where the L/C provides for them. Parcels from a 2,000 MT trial up to full bulk cargoes.
BENCHMARK-LINKED, BANK-SECURED
Benchmark-Linked Price
Priced off the published South African UG2/MG chrome ore benchmarks (Fastmarkets, Argus, SMM), adjusted for CIF-India freight ± a grade differential — a transparent reference both sides settle against.
L/C at Sight
Irrevocable Letter of Credit at sight against compliant shipping documents under UCP 600, confirming bank available. T/T and CAD structures also used.
Certified Quality
Independent inspection (SGS / Alfred H Knight / Intertek) at the load port — Cr₂O₃, Cr:Fe, silica and moisture certified per shipment, binding on both parties.
END-USERS FIRST
We work with real consumers and their authorised procurement — not broker daisy-chains.
Ferrochrome Producers
Charge-chrome and HC ferrochrome smelters seeking higher Cr:Fe lumpy or blend concentrate to supplement domestic ore.
Stainless & Alloy Mills
Stainless producers and alloy makers securing consistent, certified feed against domestic supply variability.
Chemical & Foundry
Chrome-chemical and foundry-sand consumers needing tight, spec-controlled chromite.
How we release offers
Indicative specifications and our capability statement are shared on enquiry. Firm pricing and chemical assays are released against a verifiable Letter of Intent (LOI) or ICPO from the end-buyer or an authorised procurement officer — the standard that keeps deals principal-to-principal and off broker chains.
- Name the plant and the tonnage / schedule you need
- Confirm target Cr₂O₃ / Cr:Fe and discharge port
- Contract CIF against a published benchmark — how real buyers trade
INDIA CHROME ORE FAQ
India is largely supplied by its own Odisha (Sukinda Valley) chromite, but imports SA ore selectively — for higher Cr:Fe lumpy, specific chemistries, blend feed, and supply security when domestic ore or logistics tighten.
CIF or CFR to Nhava Sheva (JNPT), Mundra, Visakhapatnam, Paradip and Chennai, loading FOB from Durban or Richards Bay.
Metallurgical concentrate and lumpy at ~40–46% Cr₂O₃, with charge-chrome producers often favouring higher Cr:Fe lumpy. Exact chemistry is certified per parcel.
Priced off SA UG2/MG benchmarks adjusted for CIF-India freight ± a grade differential; irrevocable L/C at sight against documents (UCP 600) is standard, with T/T and CAD also used.
Trial shipments from 2,000 metric tons, scaling to bulk parcels and annual offtake.
SOURCING FOR INDIA?
SEND YOUR SPEC
Tell us your target Cr₂O₃ and Cr:Fe, tonnage and discharge port. Real Indian producers and their procurement teams get a fast, specific response from our sourcing desk.