JFE Steel doubles energy weight of plate sales in fiscal 2014 ended March 2015 under the new 3-year plan. The firm tries to expand sales of high end products including clad steel when Asian primary energy consumption is expected to grow by annual 3% in long term. The world No.3 clad steel maker with monthly 2,000-3,000 tonnes of output capacity eyes 5,000 tonnes of capacity to follow growing demand.
Clad steel is composite steel plate products including stainless steel or nickel or titanium bonded low alloy steel. JFE Steel makes the products by rolling process while other process is called explosive bonding. JFE Steel supplied 1,700 tonnes of clad steel for natural gas development in Middle East in 2011. The firm got the order for the high corrosion resistance, strength and cost under the severe sour atmosphere with 23% of hydrosulfuric. New gas development projects are mainly in such severe conditions. The firm expects clad steel demand increases for such development when 40% of undeveloped gas fields are in sour condition with 1% or more hydrosulfuric. The firm can make stainless clad steel with maximum 150 millimeters thick and 4.5 meters width. The firm can provide nickel and titanium clad steel with size variation of length and width to follow various requirement.
