SMM Grows Next Profitable Materials Following Copper-clad Film

Sumitomo Metal Mining (SMM) targets to grow up next strategic electronic and advanced materials such as lithium nickel oxide, infrared ray shielding ink and samarium-iron-nitrogen (SmFeN) magnet during its mid-term management plan for 2007-2009. The firm has grown up copper-clad polyimide film to the top share and most profitable product during the current mid-term plan for 2004-2006. Susumu Makino, managing executive officer of SMM, explained the strategy for electronic and advanced materials to Japan Metal Bulletin.

Mr. Makino said SMM has 85-90% market share for copper-clad polyimide film which is used for liquid crystal drivers. He expected copper-clad film demand continues increasing thanks to favorable sales of liquid crystal televisions. He said SMM continues to focus on business expansion of copper-clad film along the next 3-year plan.

At the same time, SMM seeks other leading products such as battery materials, functional inks and magnets. Mr. Makino explained SMM achieved slower advance than expected in research of lithium nickel oxide, which is used as battery material. However, lithium nickel oxide will become applied to batteries for consumer electronics and automobiles in future and SMM aims to grow the material to the second profitable product next to copper-clad film, he said.

Mr. Makino explained the sales of SmFeN magnet tripled from originally estimated in fiscal 2006 ending March 2007 and continuous growth is expected. He also expected the business growth of IR shielding ink in 2007.