Dolomite & Limestone — Steel Flux, Glass Batch & Agricultural Lime

Product overview

Dolomite (calcium magnesium carbonate, CaMg(CO₃)₂) and high-calcium limestone (CaCO₃) are among the highest-volume industrial minerals traded globally. In steelmaking, crushed dolomite is charged into blast furnaces and electric arc furnaces as a flux that forms a basic slag, captures sulphur and phosphorus from the metal, and protects refractory linings through its MgO contribution. Limestone serves the same flux role where magnesium is not required, and both minerals feed float and container glass batches as a source of CaO that stabilises melt viscosity and improves chemical durability.

Beyond metallurgy, ground dolomite and limestone correct soil pH in agriculture, supply calcium and magnesium to crop nutrition programmes, and act as filler in asphalt, concrete and water-treatment circuits. Our export grade carries MgO at 18% minimum on dolomite parcels, combined carbonate at 95% minimum, and silica capped at 2% to keep slag and glass formulations within plant limits. Crushed to 0–40 mm with moisture held below 1% at loading, material handles cleanly through belt conveyors at steel-plant flux yards and glass-batch silos across the Middle East, South Asia and North Africa.

Material is quarried from sedimentary deposits in the Black Sea basin and MENA region, primary-crushed and screened at pit-adjacent plants before bulk loading. Typical buyers include integrated steel mills on annual flux contracts, independent EAF operators stocking dolomite ahead of campaign runs, float-glass and container-glass plants blending batch ingredients, agricultural lime distributors, and construction aggregate traders sourcing white limestone for decorative stone applications. HS code 2518.10 (dolomite, not calcined). MOQ from 3,000 MT on FOB, CFR or CIF terms.

Full specification

Loading ports & logistics

Dolomite and limestone are heavy, low-value bulk commodities — vessel economics and discharge equipment at the receiver determine the optimal delivery mode. We coordinate three principal channels depending on parcel size and destination berth.

Open-hold bulk carriers handle industrial contracts from 3,000 MT upward on handysize and supramax tonnage at quarry-adjacent jetties on the Black Sea and MENA coast. Grab-unload or belt-conveyor discharge at steel-plant and glass-factory berths; FOB loading includes draft survey and hold cleanliness certificate. Ideal for annual flux supply programmes above 10,000 MT.

Coastal barges and self-discharging vessels move crushed dolomite on short-sea routes between Black Sea load ports and Mediterranean or Marmara discharge terminals. Suited for mills without deep-water berths that receive cargo via lightering or barge transfer from mother vessels.

1-tonne jumbo bags on flat-rack containers cover parcels of 500–2,000 MT where the receiver lacks bulk-unload infrastructure. Approximately 24–26 MT net per FEU; bagged form suits glass plants and agricultural lime distributors with limited silo capacity. CFR and CIF quotes include stowage factor confirmation and marine insurance. Typical lead time 10–22 days from contract execution to loading window.

Packaging & documentation

Cargo ships as crushed lumps in open vessel holds, self-discharging barges or 1-tonne polypropylene jumbo bags (four-loop, UV-stabilized) — bulk hold loading is standard for steel-mill and glass-plant contracts. Each lot is accompanied by a quarry certificate of analysis showing MgO, CaO, silica, moisture and particle-size distribution, safety data sheet (SDS) per GHS, commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading and certificate of origin.

Carbonate content is confirmed by calcimetric or XRF method on the COA, with sieve analysis on the agreed crush fraction. Third-party inspection (SGS, Bureau Veritas or equivalent) at loading can be arranged on buyer request. For bulk vessel parcels, hold cleanliness certificate and loading moisture record are included in the shipping instructions package.

FAQ

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