Abstract <p>This article provides an overview of the development trends in pellet reduction and heat treatment technology. It is determined that pellet deformation during reduction is associated with fracture under the influence of stresses arising in the pellet structure during the transformation of the hematite crystal lattice into magnetite and wustite and the softening of mineral components. The ability to limit sintering during metallization in shaft furnaces is determined by the formation of a predetermined composition of the pellet’s mineral binder or the use of coatings. Inorganic coatings based on calcium and silicon (cement, limestone) are the most effective. Current pellet production technology reduces the task of limiting pellet deformation during reduction to selecting the optimal chemical composition, while quantitative deformation parameters are determined experimentally or through modeling based on empirical data. Individual parameters are interdependent. Therefore, the focus of research in this aspect of the technology is to identify optimal charge compositions and corresponding heat treatment regimes for metal production.</p>