Kobe Steel Enjoys Favorable Sales of Aluminium and Copper Items

Aluminum & Copper Company of Kobe Steel enjoyed favorable sales of aluminium and copper rolled products for information related usages in first half of fiscal 2006 ending March 2007. Production of aluminium plate kept full at 2,600 tonnes per month during 1H thanks to steady demand for productive equipment of semiconductor and liquid crystal display. Production of aluminium substrate for hard disc increased to 40 million substrates per month as total of domestic and overseas output. Production of copper sheet and strip also kept full and increased in 1H from the same period of 2005.IT related demand maintained firm during 1H, while entering adjustment phase currently. Aluminium plate demand seems to keep high level in 2H. Demand would become slower for aluminium substrate for hard disc by June 2007 and Kobe Steel estimates its production might become at around 38 million substrates per month in early 2007.Sales of copper sheet and strip are expected to maintain favorable in 2H. The firm stopped the production at Chofu plant temporarily this summer due to power distribution accident and reduced order acceptance volume. Kobe Steel plans to sustain full production in 2H to cover delayed orders.