JFE Steel’s New CGL Starts Operation at 600,000t per Year

JFE Steel’s no.4 continuous galvanizing steel sheet line (CGL) started operation in Fukuyama area of West Japan iron works on Tuesday. The new CGL, which is dedicated for hot dip galvanizing alloy steel sheet (GA steel sheet) for automobile body, has 600,000 tonnes of annual output capacity. The total investment was about 18 billion yen. JFE Steel will raise the operating rate as soon as obtaining quality certification from automobile makers. The firm constructed no.4 CGL to strengthen capability for GA steel sheet which is requested especially high quality from users, when automakers request both quantity and quality for high-grade steel sheet currently. The line has the firm’s highest technologies, which can produce high lubrication GA steel sheet, the new item. The CGL can manufacture products with 0.4-2.3 millimeters thick and 610-1,850 mm width. JFE Steel’s CGL capacity became total about 2.95 million tonnes with total 8 lines, 2.04 million tonnes and 5 lines of which are in West Japan iron works and 910,000 tonnes and 3 lines in East Japan iron works. The firm’s subsidiary in China, Guangzhou JFE Steel Sheet Company, also acquired quality certification from automakers, which started operation in spring 2006 and has 400,000 tonnes of annual output capacity. JFE Steel will increase production of galvanized steel sheet for automobile in earnest.