Sigma Group Plans 18% Higher Al Alloy Output in 2012

Chinese largest maker of secondary alloyed aluminium, Sigma Group will increase the production by 18% to 450,000 tonnes in 2012 from 2011. The firm plans 200,000 tonnes of export. The chairman Tony Huang said the firm targets 100,000-200,000 tonnes of export to the largest destination of Japan. The firm also improves the cost competitiveness by adding shredder machine and heavy liquid separator at each plant.

Mr. Huang said to a reporter of Japan Metal Bulletin the firm’s production decreased slightly to 380,000 tonnes in 2011 from 2010. The export was 150,000 tonnes including 90,000 tonnes for Japan. The firm estimates the consolidated sales were US$ 1 billion as previous year.

The group company, Shanghai Sigma Metals is working for expansion of melting furnaces since late 2011. The firm renews the 6 furnaces with 55 tonnes of capacity each into 100 tonnes furnaces. The firm also sets shredder machine and heavy liquid separator to start operation in March 2012.

The group adds the shredder and separator at plants in Chongqing, Rizhao and Zhangzhou. The firm shifts the scrap separating operation from manpower to machine when labor cost increases.

The group launches 3 new plants in the year. The firm launches the operation of new plants at Chongqing in March and at Rizhao in June. The construction is delay at Changchun but the firm expects the plant would start operation by the end of 2012. The firm also launches subsidiary in Tokyo.