Sahaviriya Starts Blast Furnace Construction along Initial Plan

Sahaviriya Steel Industries, Thai largest steel maker, will start the construction of a blast furnace according to the initial plan. Mr. Witt Viriyaprapikit, CEO of Sahaviriya Group, said at an interview with Japan Metal Bulletin. The firm will start the construction during July-September 2009 and build a blast furnace with capacity of crude steel at 5 million tonnes per year in South area of Thailand. The construction will take 2 years to complete.

Mr. Witt said the firm constructs an integrated steel works with capacity at 20 million tonnes at the final stage. Sahaviriya launched the construction plan of the integrated steel works with 30 million tonnes capacity. The firm gained the ground and has developed infrastructure such as port improvement. But the plan is running late due to ailing political situation or delayed environmental licensing by Board of Investment.

Sahaviriya group is purchasing slab from overseas and producing steel sheet at 4 million tonnes per year. Recently the firm improved mill equipment and developed thinner sheet for automobiles.