JFE Steel Starts Commercial Operation of No.5 CAL in Fukuyama

JFE Steel announced on Friday No.5 continuous annealing line started commercial operation in Fukuyama area of West Japan Works. The line has been constructed since December 2008 with approximately 17 billion yen investment in order to meet the market demand for high grade steel sheet applied to cans. With the completion of the newest line, No.1 continuous annealing line in Fukuyama will be stopped in March 2011.

Global demand for tin plate is increasing along economic growth in China and other emerging countries. JFE Steel hasn’t been able to meet full orders for black plate so far. At the same time, the market demand has recently shifted to thinner and higher grade products such as laminated steel sheet for beverage can.

No.5 continuous annealing line has annual output capacity at approximately 480,000 tonnes per year for the product with 0.15-0.60 millimeters of thickness and 610-1,270 mm of width. The line involves temper rolling mill, trimmer and oiler. The newest line can process thinner and wider sheet than no.1 continuous annealing line. No.1 line’s capacity is minimum 0.18 mm of thickness and maximum 1,067 mm of width.

By replacing No.1 line to No.5 line, JFE Steel’s total output capacity of steel sheet for can increases to 1.7 million tonnes per year from present 1.5 million tonnes. The exporting sales rate is around 80%.