Coke production capacity within AM FCWE is not self sufficient for the total HM production. PCI was started up in 2004 at Bremen BF2 and Eisenhüttenstadt BF5, with a ramp up to 180 kg/thm in one year. A working group defined the BF operating conditions leading to stable and efficient operation at high PCI. At Florange BF3 PCI trials at 220 kg/thm were successful. At Dunkerque BF4 and Gent BFA and B, the PCI rate exceeds regularly 210 kg/thm.

The Arcelor plant in Dunkerque depends on external coke for one third of its total coke consumption. A global approach has been carried out:
To assess the effect of coke properties on the blast furnace performance. To specify the requested coke properties. 
Appropriate coke characteristics have been defined, aiming at high blast furnace productivity (63t/m2/d), at high PCI rate (210kg/thm for all three blast furnaces) and at low consumption of large coke (230kg/thm).