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.

Low slag volumes favour high productivities. In the case of Sidmar, the burden consists of more than 90 % sinter. The iron content of the sinter has been optimized. Slag volume is thus reduced and productivity between 65-70 tHM/m2.24h is achieved. At high pulverized coal injection rates, the residence time of the coke increases substantially and a higher degree of degradation is to be expected. Therefore, a careful monitoring of the coke and sinter quality is of prime importance. This paper describes the coke and sinter quality used in the Sidmar blast furnaces to control permeability of the furnace with long term PCI rates of 180 kg/tHM and coke rates around 300 kg/tHM. A global quality index has been defined which is well correlated with the blast furnace productivity. Sidmar believes that the quality requirements of the burden can directly be linked with the requested productivity and that good operational practices are necessary for optimization of that productivity.

The main operating results of the European blast furnaces in 1998 are presented. The parameters influencing the productivity of blast furnaces are recalled. In Europe, actions have been taken to optimize blast furnaces operation: composition and quality of the burden, burden distribution, tapping practice, etc. Further improvements of the operating performances are expected.