China produced 1.25 million tonnes of high carbon ferrochrome in 2008, up by 190,000 tonnes. In the meanwhile imports of chrome ore increased by 750,000 tonnes to 6.84 million tonnes.

With an annual high carbon ferrochrome capacity of 200,000 tonnes, Mintal Group is China's biggest ferrochrome producer in China. The group mainly provides products to major special steel makers including Baosteel, Taiyuan Steel, Zhangjiagang POSCO Stainless Steel, Guangzhou Lianzhong Stainless Steel and Jiuquan Steel. It has ferrochrome plants in Baotou, Erdos and Wuhai, with chrome ore supply guaranteed by China Minmetals.

Due to weak stainless steel market, domestic ferrochrome price keeps sliding. Producers face difficult situation amid low operation rate. Dominant stainless steel makers will again cut outputs in March 2009, demand for ferrochrome appears dim.