JFE Steel to Finish Steel Making Capacity Expansion at Fukuyama in May

JFE Steel started operation of new No.7 continuous slab caster at Fukuyama area of West Japan works. The firm finished expansion of the degasser at the area. When the area finishes expansion of slab treatment facility in late May, the area completes the 50 billion yen steel making shop expansion to annual 13 million tonnes of raw steel output capacity.

JFE Steel targets unconsolidated 33 million tonnes of annual raw steel output capacity including 23 million tonnes at West Japan works, of which Fukuyama represents 13 million tonnes. The additional continuous caster at Fukuyama is a part of expansion program for high valued steel products. The caster adding works started in May 2008 starting the test running on April 9. With the new caster, Fukuyama area has 6 casters.

The area is still idling No.3 blast furnace since February 2009 despite of the steel making capacity expansion to annual 13 million tonnes. The area will decide whether to restart or repair the furnace depending on market condition in April-June.

The West Japan works restarted idled No.3 blast furnace at Kurashiki area in February after the stoppage in January 2009. The works operates 3 furnaces each at Fukuyama and Kurashiki. The Fukuyama area starts operation of No.5 continuous annealing line in January 2011.