Mitsui & Co. Establishes Auto-Flat Steel Processing JV in Turkey

Mitsui & Co. announced on Tuesday the firm established automotive flat steel processing joint venture in Turkey, BAMI with Spanish processor, Bamesa Aceros. They start laser welding processing service in December to serve transplants of automakers in Turkey.

Automobile production is expected to reach more than 1.4 million units in 2008 in Turkey compared with around 1 million units in 2007. The output is expected to expand to 2 million level in 5 years when automakers in Europe, USA, Japan and South Korea try to expand the Turkey operations as export bases for European market.

European Commission decided new regulation to limit carbon dioxide emission to 130 kilogram per 1 kilometer driving or less by 2012. To meet severe regulation, automakers try to reduce the automotive weight through laser welding processing.