A new generation binder consisting of an organic binder and a borate salt was tested as an alternative to bentonite in magnetite ore pelletization. Carboxyl methyl cellulose (CMC),Ciba DPEP06-0007 and corn starch, and calcined colemanite were used as organic binders and the borate salt, respectively. They were added to the pellet feed separately and in different combinations at several addition levels. It was found that the use of organic binders is sufficient in terms of wet pellet quality; however, they fail to render the required compressive strength to pre-heated and fired pellets. Therefore, organic binders and calcined colemanite were used together so that wet pellets, pre-heated and fired pellets would be of the required quality. The results showed that the use of an organic binder together with calcined colemanite indeed yielded pellets with equal or better wet and indurated pellet qualities compared to the pellets produced with bentonite binder alone. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.