Kobe Steel to Supply 42M units/m Aluminium Blanks in 2007

Kobe Steel enjoys favorable sales of aluminium blank for computer magnetic disc. The firm produced 34 million aluminium blanks per month averagely in 2006 thanks to active demand at home and overseas. The firm estimates the production would expand to 42 million plates per month in 2007.Kobe Steel produces aluminium blank for computer magnetic disc at Moka plant in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan and Malaysian subsidiary, Kobe Precision Technology. Both production bases keep almost full operation.Kobe Steel estimates world annual aluminium blank demand was 650 million plates in 2005 and increased to 790 million plates in 2006, which would grow to 860 million plates in 2007 and 1 billion plates in 2010.In recent years hard discs are used not only for personal computers but for home appliances and car navigations. In addition to broader applications, personal computer market is expected to grow in BRICs countries, especially in China. Aluminium blank demand is expected to follow these trends and increase largely.