Mitsubishi Aluminum to Improve Flat Products Operation Efficiency

Mitsubishi Aluminum invests around 780 million yen for casting plant for can material in Shizuoka. The firm completes the works in August to expand the furnace and converts the energy from heavy oil to liquid natural gas. The investment will contribute to lower cost along with better environmental impact.

The plant melts used can to make slab. The plant shifted the energy of melting furnace from heavy oil to natural gas in January 2012. The plant also expanded the roaster diameter to improve the productivity. The around 460 million yen of investment improves the operation. The plant shifts the energy for pool furnace and other facilities to natural gas for around 320 million yen.

The firm expects around 30% lower carbon dioxide emission through the energy shift. The lower cost of natural gas contributes to lower operation cost than heavy oil.

The firm realizes 100% hot roll finishing operation for aluminium flat products in 3 years while the hot rolling rate is around half now. The higher hot rolling rate contributes to better surface quality along with shorter lead time and lower in process inventory.

The plant in Shizuoka added hot roll finishing mill in 2009 to improve the productivity. The plant got approvals from many users for the new process. The firm expects remaining users would allow the new process in less than 3 years.