Kobe Steel to Increase Rolled Cu Export by 50% in 2 Years

Kobe Steel tries to increase rolled copper export by around 50% to monthly 3,000 tonnes within 2 years. The firm tries to strengthen the offshore supply chain when the users increase offshore production.

Kobe Steel’s rolled copper output is monthly 4,500-5,000 tonnes at Chofu works in Yamaguchi. The firm exports about monthly 2,000 tonnes for slitting group companies in Jiangsu, China and Thailand and lead frame makers mainly in South Korea.

Japanese rolled copper users are shifting the production to offshore plants mainly in China when automobile and home appliance makers increase the offshore output. Kobe Steel tries to increase the rolled copper sales at offshore market to keep the output at Chofu works. The firm tries to increase the sales not only for leadframe material but also for connector material.