Nippon Steel Expands SUPERDYMA Making Capacity

Nippon Steel announced on Wednesday the firm expanded supply capacity of high corrosion resistant zinc, aluminium and magnesium alloy hot dip galvanizing steel, SUPERDYMA to 2.5 times or monthly around 50,000 tonnes for around 3 billion yen. The firm converted No.3 continuous galvanizing line at Kimitsu works to add maximum 30,000 tonnes of capacity. The firm tries to follow growing demand for solar power facility through the expanded supply bases including No.1 CGL at Kimitsu and 2 CGLs at Hirohata works.

Solar power generation is expected to increase when Japanese new law starts in July to encourage investment for renewable energy. Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry expects cumulative installed capacity of industrial solar power generation increases to more than 10 times at 7.6 gigawatt in 2020 from 2011. Nippon Steel tries to follow the move in years by marketing SUPERDYMA, which has 4 times corrosion resistance compared with general grade galvanizing steel.

The firm appeals lower cost of the high grade steel by reducing thickness to 2.3-3.2 millimeters for frame of solar power from traditional 4.5-6 mm thick sheet. The firm got the high grade steel order from major solar power projects by Chubu Electric Power, Tokyo Electric Power and Kyushu Electric Power. The firm also increases the export for offshore solar power projects.

SUPERDYMA is coated by zinc alloy containing around 11% aluminium and around 3% magnesium. The firm launched the product in 2000 as alternative material to galvanizing steel, colored steel, stainless steel and aluminium. The high grade steel is used for construction materials, guard rail, automobile and appliances.