Kobe Steel to Double Plate Sales Rate for Energy

Kobe Steel plans to increase plate steel sales by around 3% to 1.5 million tonnes in fiscal 2011 ending March 2012 from fiscal 2010. The firm tripled the sales for line pipe in the first half of fiscal 2011 from same period of fiscal 2010. The firm tries to increase the plate sales for energy industry from current 5% to more than 10% after the firm adds heat treatment facility at Kakogawa works by end of 2012.

The firm restarted the sales for line pipe in fiscal 2010 after 8 years blank. The sales were monthly 3,000 tonnes in first half of fiscal 2011 compared with 1,000 tonnes in second half of fiscal 2010. The firm tries to increase the volume in and after the second half.

The firm also expands the high valued plate sales for tank and oil tanker by focusing on high end market segment covering nuclear power plant, ocean structure and containers while Asian commodity plate market gets severe due to competition with offshore rivals. The firm would send plate sales staff to offshore sales bases as the first attempt to cover offshore energy market.

Kakogawa works makes monthly 7,000-8,000 tonnes of heat treated plate. The works operates the heat treatment furnace at full capacity since fiscal 2010. With additional heat treatment furnace by end of 2012, the works can increase the production by around 50%.

The firm provided corrosion resistant plate for oil tanker through joint work with ocean shipping company and shipbuilder. The tested plate without paint on oil tanker proved the corrosion resistance. The firm tires to apply the high performance maintenance free plate for bulk carrier.

The firm provided around 240 tonnes of plate with 780 mega pascal of tensile strength, KBSA630 for world tallest broadcasting tower, Tokyo Sky Tree. The firm expands the sales of the high performance plate for building.