Sumitomo Metals Gets Major Order for Steam Generator Tube

Sumitomo Metal Industries announced on Thursday the firm and Sumitomo Corporation got around 750 tonnes orders of steam generator tube for advanced nuclear power plants in China and USA, which represent more than 10 billion yen value. It is the world first order of steam generator tube for AP1000, which is advanced nuclear reactor developed by Westinghouse Electric Corporation. Sumitomo Metals decided to expand the tube output capacity by around 30% for 2.3 billion yen. The tube is used in pressurized water reactor nuclear power plant. The tube contains 60% nickel. Sumitomo Metals supplies the tube products in fiscal 2009 for Chinese 2 plants and in 2010-2011 for US 2 plants. The tube is assembled into steam generators by DOOSAN Heavy Industries & Construction in South Korea. More than 150 of nuclear power plant projects are planned worldwide in 20 years under growing electricity demand and effort to reduce carbon dioxide emission. Pressurized water reactor nuclear power plant represents around 70% of the plans. Sumitomo Metals, which has 30% of world market share for steam generator tube, expects the tube demand increases when pressurized water reactor nuclear power plant uses around 100-300 tonnes of the tube.