NTN Increases Large Bearing Steel Output for Wind Power Generation

NTN, Japanese major bearing steel maker, will increase the output of the super large diameter bearing steel for mainly wind force power generation by the enhancement of domestic and overseas plants. NTN invests at about 30 billion yen until fiscal 2010 at ended March 2011, which expands the market share of large diameter bearing steel. The demand for super large diameter baring steel is increasing for main shaft of wind force power generation equipment or construction machinery on a global basis. Wind force power market is increasing by 30% per year in the world, which is increasing in mainly USA and Europe. NTN is producing bearing steel for wind force electric power in Kuwana factory and Mie factory, which is processing turning in Hakui factory. The firm constructed no.3 plant in Mie factory in May 2008, which started the operation of heat processing plant for bearing steel for wind force power generation. The firm constructed large diameter bearing steel plant in Kuwana factory, which increases the output of bearing steel for speed-up gear from autumn. The firm constructed Hodatsushimizu factory in April, which starts the operation the super large diameter bearing steel for wind force power generation or construction machinery in October 2009. The firm plans to construct no.2 plant in Hodatsushimizu factory after 2009. Moreover, the firm plans to build up large diameter bearing steel plant in USA and Europe at the investment of 20 billion yen a few years later.