JFE Steel Increases High-End Plate Supply

JFE Steel is advancing commercial production of high-end plate manufactured by HOP (heat-treatment on-line process). The firm commercialized HOP at West Japan Works in May 2004 and has produced high-end plate at more than 300,000 tonnes totally since the first half of fiscal 2004 started April 2004. The firm could shorten productive lead time remarkably by the on-line of heart processing and become to supply high-function steels for energy, building construction, industrial machine or construction machine.Demand for high-end steel plate has increased from energy industries. JFE Steel has supplied high tensile steel plate of 610 and 650 mega paschal class at total several ten thousands tonnes mainly for China so far. The firm is now developing new plate with higher toughness and welding property by the control of precision and dispersion of carbide.High tensile strength plate of 590 mega paschal is also used for buildings. HOP enabled high strength, high toughness and low yield point those which contribute to higher aseismic capacity.JFE Steel expects HOP steel plate production could increase to 5.6 million tonnes through fiscal 2007 and to 6 million tonnes in fiscal 2008 thanks to the expanding demand for shipbuilding, energy industry, industrial machine or construction machine worldwide. JFE Steel continues development of high-end steels such as plate for line-pipe by HOP when the users are requesting high grade steels for bigger sizes of structure or hostile environment.