Chromite ore, the sta rting material for chromium metal, alloys, and other chromium produ cts, is not only produced in the China. The metallurgical and chemical industry consumed 93 percent of the imported chromite ore used domestically in 1994; the refractory industry consumed the remainder. The major end uses of chromium metal and ferroalloys were stainless and heat-resisting steel (78 percent), full-alloy steel (8 percent), superalloys (2 percent) and other miscellaneous uses (12 percent).

Ferrochromium, an alloy of iron and chromium, is used as an a dditive in steel making. Th ere are three major grades of ferrochromium: low carbon, high carbon, and charge grade. In the past, low carbon ferrochromium was required by steel makers to keep the carbon content of steel low. However, improved ladle refining techniques such as argon oxygen decarburization, have allowed the steel industry to use high carbon ferrochromium, which is less expensive.