Iron ore
In cast iron sulfur promotes the formation of white iron. As little as 0.5% can counteract the effects of slow cooling and a high silicon content . White cast iron is more brittle, but also harder. It is generally avoided, because it is difficult to work, except in China where high sulfur cast iron, some as high as 0.57%, made with coal and coke, was used to make bells and chimes . According to , good foundry iron should have less than 0.15% sulfur. In the rest of the world a high sulfur cast iron can be used for making castings, but will make poor wrought iron.
Cast-iron cookware
The primary producers of traditional cast iron in France are Le Creuset and Staub, though both companies only offer enameled cast iron cookware lines. Netherton Foundry in Shropshire, England, produces cast iron and spun iron cookware. Skeppshult is a Scandinavian foundry that produces cast iron cookware and cast iron kitchen accessories. While there are many well-established brands in the United States such as Milo, Camp Chef, Lodge, Bayou Classic, and John Wright, most manufacture their cookware in China.