Dust recycling in the rotary hearth furnace (RHF) was applied at Nippon Steel’s Kimitsu Works in 2000. The dust and sludge, along with iron oxide and carbon, are agglomerated. The iron oxide is reduced at high temperatures. Zinc and other impurities in the dust and sludge are expelled and exhausted into off-gas. DRI pellets made from the dust and sludge have 70% metallization and are strong enough to be recycled to the blast furnaces.

 IIP's experts state that a modified version of this process, where alternatives fuels can be used, can be of interest for a centralized location where a number of plants are located as is the case in India.