Kobe Steel to Expand Titanium Alloy Making Capacity

Kobe Steel announced on Thursday the firm expands production capacity of titanium alloy for aerospace sector. The firm doubles ring rolling capacity at Takasago plant in Hyogo by late 2012. The firm also triples capacity of heat treatment and inspection for large forged products by spring 2013.

The firm already added new welded pipe line at the group company, Kobe Special Tube in Yamaguchi last year. Kobe Steel tries to expand the supply base through total 6 billion yen of investment.

Takasago plant builds new plant to add high precision rolling mill to start operation in November instead of more than 20 years operated old mill. The new mill can make product with 4 meters diameter and 1,000 millimeters height while existing line’s production size is 800 mm height. The firm expects the new mill can improve yield by 10-30% compared with the old mill. The firm stops the operation of the old mil after the new mill establishes supply for the users.

The plant also adds new heat treatment and inspection equipment for large forging made by Japan Aeroforce, which is joint venture with Hitachi Metals and other partners. The plant starts operation of the new equipment in April 2013. Kobe Steel tries to expand the sales for domestic heavy machinery makers eyeing direct sales to offshore airplane makers.

Kobe Special Tube expanded welded pipe making capacity by 25-30% by adding new line in August 2011. The firm tries to follow growing demand for offshore power plants and desalination plants.

Kobe Steel builds better downstream operation through the investment while the firm already expanded the melting capacity by 30% in 2007. The firm tries to improve the cost and quality at the upstream operation for better competitiveness.