JFE Steel Expands Output Capacity of Electric Galvanized Sheet

JFE Steel announced on Thursday the firm increased output capacity for non-chrome electric galvanized steel sheet by 120,000 tonnes to 950,000 tonnes per annum to meet increasing demand for home electronics. The firm introduced new coating equipment for a non-chromate chemical conversion process in no.5 electric galvanizing line in Fukuyama area of West Japan works. The new facility started operation last month. The total investment was about 2 billion yen.JFE Steel has increased sales of 8-type electric galvanized steel sheet as “Eco-Frontier series” since 2000. The firm’s high-function electric galvanized sheet does not use chrome but has high corrosion resistance and electrically conductivity. The sales are increasing such for frames of copy machines.New coating equipment can treat steel sheet with 0.4-2.3 millimeters thick and 900-1500 millimeters width. The firm has total 4 production lines for electric galvanized steel sheet, one of which is in Chiba area of East Japan iron works, one in Kurashiki area of West Japan iron works and 2 lines in Fukuyama area of West Japan works. At overseas, the firm has a subsidiary, Thai Coated Steel Sheet, with output capacity at 170,000 tonnes per year in Thailand.