Silicon Manganese (SiMn) is one of the most important ferro-alloys in steelmaking, combining the deoxidising and alloying functions of both silicon and manganese in a single addition. India is a significant global producer and exporter of Silicon Manganese, with major smelting operations in Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Karnataka. This guide is written for steelmakers, ferro-alloy traders and procurement teams considering sourcing SiMn from India.
Silicon Manganese is produced by smelting manganese ore with quartzite (silica) and coke in a submerged arc furnace. The resulting alloy contains both manganese (55–70%) and silicon (14–20%), making it highly efficient for steelmaking additions. In the steelmaking process, SiMn serves three key roles simultaneously — deoxidation (silicon removes dissolved oxygen from liquid steel), desulphurisation (manganese converts harmful FeS inclusions to less harmful MnS), and alloying (both silicon and manganese contribute to the required chemistry of the finished steel).
SiMn is particularly preferred over separate FeSi and FeMn additions in many steelmaking shops because a single addition performs the combined function, reducing the number of alloy handling steps and often offering a cost advantage on a per-unit-of-element basis.
SiMn 6517 is the premium commercial grade and the most widely traded globally. Specification: Mn minimum 65%, Si minimum 17%, C maximum 2.5%, P maximum 0.20%, S maximum 0.04%. This grade is preferred by flat steel producers — hot rolled coil, cold rolled coil and coated steel mills — where tight chemistry control is critical for final product properties.
SiMn 6014 is the standard commercial grade with Mn minimum 60%, Si minimum 14%, C maximum 3.0%, P maximum 0.30%. This grade is used in long product steelmaking — rebar, wire rod, sections and structural steel — where slightly lower specifications are acceptable. It trades at a discount to 6517 and is preferred by cost-sensitive buyers in developing markets.
Odisha is India's largest SiMn producing state. Major production facilities are located in the Joda, Barbil and Rourkela corridors, with good access to manganese ore from nearby mines in Keonjhar district. Paradip Port on the East Coast and Vizag (Visakhapatnam) Port are the primary loading ports for bulk vessel shipments. Chhattisgarh adds additional capacity from the Raipur and Raigarh industrial clusters with rail connectivity to both East and West coast ports.
For container shipments, 20ft containers loaded with 1 MT FIBC bulk bags carry 20–22 MT of SiMn per container. Bulk vessel loading starts from approximately 500 MT minimum at Paradip and Vizag, with vessels up to Panamax size handled at both ports.
SiMn pricing is primarily driven by manganese ore prices — both South African Mn ore (44% and 48% grades) and Gabon ore prices as CIF China benchmark. Coke prices as the primary reducing agent significantly impact production costs. Power tariffs are a major operating cost for submerged arc furnace operations. Chinese SiMn export prices set the global market reference level, and Indian pricing is typically benchmarked at a discount or premium to Chinese FOB prices depending on quality, timing and logistics costs to each destination.
Current FOB pricing from Indian ports is available on request — pricing is updated weekly and valid for 5 business days due to market volatility. Zenvico Global provides indicative pricing within 24 hours of enquiry.
SiMn is exported in commercial lump sizes of 10–80mm and 10–50mm for direct furnace charging. Fines below 10mm are available for briquetting and injection applications. Size distribution is certified by SGS or Bureau Veritas screen analysis at load port. Material is sampled at load port per ISO 10258 or ASTM E32 procedure, with the final chemical analysis from this sample used for invoicing on a per-unit-Mn basis where contracts specify.
Get a competitive export quotation from Zenvico Global within 24 hours — FOB pricing, full documentation, third-party inspection available.
India offers several competitive advantages for SiMn procurement. Raw material proximity — Indian producers have direct access to domestic manganese ore deposits in Odisha and Karnataka, reducing ore procurement costs. Established export infrastructure — Paradip and Vizag ports have handled bulk ferro-alloy shipments for decades with efficient vessel loading and documentation processes. Competitive pricing — Indian SiMn is competitively priced versus South African, Norwegian and Chinese origins for most destination markets in the Middle East, Southeast Asia and South Asia. Consistent quality — Indian manufacturers maintain tight lot-to-lot chemistry control suitable for long-term supply contracts with flat steel producers.
Contact us with your required grade (6517 or 6014), quantity, port of discharge and preferred delivery terms (FOB or CIF). We provide a quotation within 24 hours with current pricing, estimated shipment window and full specification sheet. SGS or Bureau Veritas pre-shipment inspection is arranged as standard. Payment terms include Letter of Credit (L/C) for first orders and T/T for established buyers.