Sumitomo Light Metal Expands High Valued Copper Tube Output in China

Sumitomo Light Metal Industries added a forming machine at the air conditioner copper tube making plant, Sumikei Guangzhou Metal Products for 100 million yen to make copper tube with inner rib. The output capacity increased by around 15% to annual 7,000 tonnes. The firm ties to follow the growing demand for high valued products through the expansion. The new no.7 machine, which started operation in March, was the first machine in 5 years. The plant, which was established in 1995, produced around 6,000 tonnes with material from Aichi plant in 2006. Chinese demand for copper tube with inner rib grows when high performance air conditioner output increases due to severer environmental regulation. The firm tries to increase the high valued products output under the mid-term plan.