JFE Steel to Add New 2.4 Million tonnes Slab Caster at Fukuyama

JFE Steel announced on Thursday the firm expands the steel making capacity at Fukuyama area of West Japan works for around 50 billion yen. The firm invests for new continuous slab caser with 2.4 million tonnes of annual output capacity, expansion of degasser and new slab treatment facility starting operation in first half of fiscal 2010. The firm expands the raw steel output capacity from current 21.5 million tonnes per year to 23 million tonnes in West Japan works for expansion plan for 33 million tonnes for JFE Steel. The firm expanded the raw steel output from 26.5 million tonnes to 30 million tonnes in 5 years since the start of the combined company to increase the high valued steel products while the firm improves the financial position. The firm already announced the 150 billion yen plan to increase the annual raw steel output by additional 3 million tonnes to 33 million tonnes in next 3-year plan from fiscal 2009 to supply more high valued steel. The firm tries to increase the output by 1.5 million tonnes each at West Japan and East Japan works. The firm tries to expand the output by 1.5 million tonnes to 13 million tonnes for Fukuyama of West Japan works through the investment for new slab caster. The firm plans 30.3 million tonnes of raw steel output for JFE Steel and 34 million tonnes for the group in fiscal 2007.