Venezuelan iron briquette producers have acknowledged severe problems since last year in obtaining pellets

Although Venezuela boasts one of the highest capacities for industrial briquette production at nearly 11Mt/y, local briquette producers have acknowledged severe problems since last year in obtaining pellets, which are the raw material needed for briquette production. Venezuelan briquette producers like Comsigua, Venprecar, Matesi and Opco have been affected because the Ferrominera Orinoco (FMO) pellet plant is not operating at full speed. Alberto Hassan, president of the worldwide Hot Briquetted Iron Association, spoke with BNamericas about the situation and the international briquette market.