Tokyo Steel Manufacturing Restarts Hot Coil Output

Tokyo Steel Manufacturing restarted the steel making operation at Okayama plant on Saturday, at which an explosion accident occurred on May 16, to restart sheet steel production. The firm expects the hot coil production is 20,000 tonnes in July and 50,000-60,000 tonnes in August. The firm expects the raw steel production is 120,000 tonnes in July including steel source for H-beam and plate, which represents 60% lower than peak in 2008.

As a result of the output reduction, Tokyo Steel’s H-beam production decreased to 60,590 tonnes in June. Nippon Steel is estimated to top Tokyo Steel’s output and represents top production volume for the first time since April 2004. Tokyo Steel plans around 70,000 tonnes production in July and August for better supply balance.