Nippon Mining & Metals to Expand Cu Alloy Production

Nippon Mining & Metals will add new annealing furnace to Kurami copper rolling plant, Kanagawa as early as 2008 for 500 million yen. With the no.7 annealing furnace, the firm tries to increase the output by 20-30% for phosphor bronze and Cu-Ni-Si alloy. The firm is top maker of phosphor bronze with 36% share in the market for connector pin, switch and spring of electronics parts. The firm has also top share with 52% for Cu-Ni-Si alloy, which is used for lead frame of semiconductor, connector pin and socket. The firm tries to meet the growing demand for materials with higher strength and quality and thinner gauge for lead flame under downsizing for semiconductor parts. The firm also builds new research and development building at Kurami plant by early 2009 for 1.5 billion yen. The firm integrates the function of R&D and office.