Mitsubishi Shindoh Starts Pb Free Brass Ingot Production in China

Mitsubishi Shindoh, Japanese major copper and copper alloy fabricator belonging to Mitsubishi Materials Group, starts commercial production of ECO BRASS ingot at Chinese subsidiary this month. ECO BRASS is the firm’s original lead-free free-cutting brass. The initial output plan is 100-150 tonnes per month. The demand is expected to increase for water tap parts exported to the U.S.A. since lead content is strictly regulated for drinking water in the U.S.A. while most of water tap parts for the U.S.A. are produced in China. The demand is also increasing in Japan. Mitsubishi Shindoh projects to icrease the output of ECO BRASS by 60% to 800 tonnes per month within fiscal 2012 started in April.

Qingdao ECOBRASS, Mitsubishi Shindoh’s 70% subsidiary in Shandong, completed the plant construction last year and started the test operation in December. The factory has provided ECO BRASS samples to local users, Chinese casting makers and other offshore manufacturers. The production capacity is 500 tonnes per month.

ECO BRASS is highly functional and environmental friendly brass, containing silicon as alternate for lead. Mitsubishi Shindoh has licensed many Japanese and European major copper alloy fabricators for ECO BRASS production. Mitsubishi Shindoh’s domestic production was approximately 300 tonnes per month in fiscal 2011 while the current output is approaching monthly 500 tonnes. The orders are increasing for casting ingot applied to water meters.

Mitsubishi Shindoh plans its annual sales volume of copper and copper alloy fabricated products at 143,900 tonnes in fiscal 2012, increasing by 10% from the previous fiscal year ended in December 2011 when the firm changed its financial term to April-March from previous January-December. The firm forecasts copper strip shipment could recover for electronic devices toward the second half of fiscal 2012. The firm also expects brass bar shipment could increase for rebuilding activity in the disaster areas of the Japan Earthquake.