POSCO Builds Up Cooperation with Nippon Steel and SAIL

Lee Ku Tech, president of POSCO and the new chairman of International Iron & Steel Institution, explained to Japan Metal Bulletin that POSCO aims to increase its crude steel production to over 50 million tonnes per year within 5 years. He said POSCO is advancing a research for a construction project of an integrated steel works in Vietnam.

He referred to close partnership between POSCO and Nippon Steel including cooperating research and development or slab trade. He said POSCO hopes to enlarge cooperation with Nippon Steel for material procurement.

Mr. Lee said an alliance between POSCO and Steel Authority of India (SAIL) has just begun. He explained POSCO takes account of cooperation with SAIL rather than competition in Indian market which is under rapid growth.

Mr. Lee explained that there are 2 large issues in the world steel industry, one of which is reduction of carbon dioxide emission and another is material procurement. Mr. Lee pointed out the material problem can be solved not all together but by each steel maker.