Abstract: A process is disclosed for the production of micaceous iron oxide using metallic iron, for example scrap iron, as a feed stock for the preparation of an iron chloride and the resulting iron chloride is oxidized at an elevated temperature in the presence of a salt of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, preferably sodium chloride. A reaction may be effected in a packed tower reactor comprising a refractory tube 7 containing an inert packing material e.g. aluminosilcate ceramic balls. The reaction charge including packing material, metallic iron and the salt is introduced via hopper 13. A tube 7 is externally heated by electrical resistance elements 10 and chlorine and an oxidizing gas are introduced at inlet 8 and the off-gas removed at outlet 9. The micaceous iron reaction product is obtained as a coating on the inert packing material. Micaceous iron oxide is used as a pigment for the formulation of metal protective paints.