Nippon Steel’s Nagoya Works to Expand High Grade Products

Nagoya works of Nippon Steel, Japanese biggest integrated steel maker, is advancing to put up the system for the supply of high grade steel products including automobile steel sheet. Bunyuu Futamura, general manager of Nippon Steel’s Nagoya works said Nagoya works aims no.1 supplier for high-grade products in the world, interviewed by Japan Metal Bulletin. He said the works increased the raw steel production by 6.9% to 6.07 million tones in fiscal 2006 ending March 2007 from fiscal 2005 while the works increases the steel products output by 3.7% to 5.1 million tonnes. He explained the weight of works shipment is high for automobile because there is major automobile makers’ main factory within radius 100 kilometers of the works. The steel sheet shipping was 3.93 million tones in fiscal 2005, in which automotive grade represented 70% of all thicker sheet shipment except for container in fiscal 2005. The shipping was 890,000 tonnes for steel plate and 280,000 tonnes for steel pipe. He said that the works has the main theme of the works’ mid-term plan, in which the works expands the sprit of technology innovation, will build up manufacturing ability, and aims no.1 supplier of high-grade steel products. However, the 40 years old works has challenge to overcome. He needs the improvement of the works’ fundamental manufacturing base. The workers at over 50 years old represent over 40% in the works. He recognizes the works needs to shift to younger generation in worker and equipment. He said the works will reline no.1 blast furnace, and renew no.2 continuous hot dip galvanizing line in fiscal 2006. He explained the investment that the works increases no.1 blast furnace volume to 5,400 cubic meters of capacity from 4,650 cubic meters and introduces one steel converter in the steelmaking. The output capacity will increase by 10% both for pig iron and steel making. He needs additional measure of down stream for throughput maximization of high grade products. He thinks hot-rolling mill would be re-fleshed to increase production of high-tensioned products for automobile in fiscal 2006. The works already added reheat furnace at hot-rolling mill. He said the works starts operation of no.2 galvanizing line for high-tension cold rolled and coated products in September 2006. He explained the steel plate production achieved around 90,000 tonnes per month after expansion of finishing line along with longer working time with increased time shifting to meet higher demand for energy, construction machine and industrial machine though the output was 30,000-40,000 tonnes per month in some years ago. He said the steel pipe line is continuing full capacity operation thanks to the high level of the needs for oil well tubular in overseas with high-price of crude oil. He thinks to enhance the supply capacity of the steel plate line and steel pipe line.