Showa Denko to Acquire China Graphite Electrode Maker

Showa Denko announced on Friday the firm acquires Chinese graphite electrode maker, Sinosteel Sichuan Carbon with annual 22,000 tonnes of output capacity. Showa Denko has third plant for the product to increase the output to total 127,000 tonnes including Japan and USA.

The firm agreed with the Chinese graphite electrode maker’s parent company of Sinosteel Corporation to acquire 67% share in Sinosteel Sichuan Carbon. Showa Denko provides technical support to improve quality at Sinosteel Sichuan Carbon eyeing potential expansion.

Showa Denko is one of major maker of graphite electrode for electric furnace. The firm has annual 60,000 tonnes of output capacity at Nagano plant and 45,000 tonnes of capacity at South Carolina plant. The firm has total 157,000 tonnes of capacity after expansion at US plant in 2014.

The firm tries to expand graphite electrode business as one of the core units as hard disc. The firm expects the demand increases due to higher ferrous scrap generation in China. The firm expands the marketing in volume zone in China and emerging countries while the firm provides the products for users in Japan, USA and Europe.