Showa Denko to Expand Al Casting and Forging for Auto Industry

Showa Denko aims to expand the shipment of continuous casting thin-diameter aluminium alloy bar “SHOTIC” to 30,000 tonnes per annum by 2010 from 26,000 tonnes in 2006. The firm also plans to start commercial operation of a 2,500-tonne forging press machine in 2008 which was newly introduced in 2006.Showa Denko produces aluminium casting and forging products mainly at Kitakata plant in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. Kitakata plant recently keeps full operation thanks to the active demand from automobile and motorcycle industries. The firm enjoys favorable sales of aluminium casting and forging products including the offshore sites in USA, Singapore and Europe.Showa Denko supplies SHOTIC from its global sites in Japan, Asia, North America and Europe. The firm aims to expand SHOTIC sales mainly for automobiles such as compressors for in-car air conditioners. As to aluminium forging products, the firm introduced a 2,500-tonne press machine with capital expenditure of several hundred million yen and now manufacturers test products. The firm will start the commercial operation soon mainly for motorcycles and automobiles.