Nippon Steel Starts Natural Gas Supply to Sumitomo Metals (Kokura)

Nippon Steel launched natural gas supply from Yawata works to Sumitomo Metals (Kokura) in November as a part of alliance between Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal Industries.

Sumitomo Metals (Kokura) has utilized heavy oil as energy source. The firm can use natural gas from Yawata works while Yawata works can raise operation rate of liquid natural gas facilities. The gas supply contributes to cost reduction both of the works.

Yawata works supplies natural gas to Sumitomo Metals (Kokura) through a 3-kilometer undersea pipeline. The works started the supply after the pipeline construction was completed in November.