Metals & Mining Theme, Ferrous
October 14, 2025
Platts proposes to reshape Atlantic Iron ore Blast furnace pellet premium assessments
HIGHLIGHTS
Proposal to launch new Atlantic iron ore BF pellet premium basis Platts 65% Fe fines assessment
Existing Atlantic BF pellet premium to be assessed over 61% Fe fines, reflecting updated IODEX specification
Proposal to discontinue Atlantic BF pellet all-in calculation
Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, proposes to launch a new Atlantic iron ore blast furnace pellet premium monthly assessment over Platts Iron Ore Fines 65% Fe and to discontinue its monthly calculated outright value for Atlantic pellet contracts FOB Brazil (SB01095), effective Jan. 2, 2026.
Platts is also clarifying that its existing Atlantic iron ore blast furnace pellet premium assessment (IOBFP00) will reflect a premium over 61% Fe iron ore fines from January 2026, reflecting updated specifications for Platts IODEX CFR China benchmark.
Proposed 65% basis Atlantic BF pellet premium
Platts proposes to launch a new Atlantic iron ore blast furnace pellet premium to reflect an additional premium over the Platts iron ore fines 65% Fe CFR China assessment.
This proposal follows Platts observation of higher liquidity and usage of Atlantic pellet premium contract settlements over 65% Fe fines.
The proposed assessment would have the following specifications:
| Assessment description | Frequency | Quality | Dimensions | Incoterms | Location | Timing | UOM |
| Atlantic iron ore blast furnace 65% Fe pellet premium (basis 65% Fe fines) | Monthly | 65% Fe blast furnace pellet: silica 3%, alumina 0.5%, 275 Cold Crushing Strength (CCS), Low Temperature Disintegration +6.3 mm, 80% | Sizing below 6.3 mm <2.5%, over 9 mm is >94% | FOB | Brazil | Current month | $/dmt |
The assessment would reflect a 4:30 pm London timestamp on the first business day of the month and follow the London holiday calendar.
The assessment would consider market information reported to Platts and published throughout the preceding month, including firm bids and offers, transactions and indications, as well as any other data deemed relevant to the assessment process.
Existing Atlantic BF pellet premium to reflect 61% Fe fines
Platts will continue publishing its existing Atlantic blast furnace pellet premium monthly assessment (IOBFP00), which will reflect the additional premium over the updated IODEX benchmark and quality specifications of 61% Fe, effective Jan. 2, 2026.
The assessment description will be updated to Atlantic iron ore blast furnace pellet contract price premium (basis IODEX) for greater clarity.
More details of the IODEX quality specifications change can be found here .
This applies to the following assessment:
| Symbol | Current assessment description | Assessment description effective Jan. 2, 2026 |
| IOBFP00 | Atlantic iron ore blast furnace pellet contract price premium | Atlantic iron ore blast furnace pellet contract price premium (basis IODEX) |
All other specifications of the assessment will remain unchanged.
Proposed discontinuation of all-in calculation
In addition, Platts proposes to discontinue its Atlantic Basin iron ore pellet monthly contract price FOB Brazil (SB01095), following market feedback that the calculated price is not used in contract settlement negotiations.
The discontinuation would affect the following:
| Symbol | Assessment description | Frequency | Quality | Dimensions | Incoterm | Location | Timing | UOM |
| SB01095 | Atlantic Basin iron ore pellets monthly contract price Brazil export FOB | Monthly | 65% Fe blast furnace pellet: silica 3%, alumina 0.5%, 275 Cold Crushing Strength (CCS), Low Temperature Disintegration +6.3 mm, 80% | Sizing below 6.3 mm <2.5%, over 9 mm is >94% | FOB | Brazil | Current month | $/dmt |
Full specifications of Platts Atlantic iron ore blast furnace pellet assessments can be found in the Global Steel, Ferrous Scrap, Ferroalloys and Noble Alloys guide, available here .
The assessments are published in SBB Steel Markets Daily, and on fixed pages STL1160, PMA1160.
Platts invites feedback, comments and questions on this proposal to EMEAMetalsTeam@spglobal.com and PriceGroup@spglobal.com by Nov. 3.
For written comments, please provide a clear indication if comments are not intended for publication by Platts for public viewing.
Platts will consider all comments received and will make comments not marked as confidential available upon request.