Kobe Steel Steadily Recovers Aluminium and Copper Products Output

Kobe Steel’s Chofu works in Yamaguchi, Japan has steadily recovered production of aluminium extrusions, copper sheet and strip. The demand is recovering from car industry throuth the slowdown after Japan Earthquake. Chofu works’ production would increase more in the second half of fiscal 2011 ending in March 2012.

Chofu works’ output of aluminium extrusion is currently around 2,600 tonnes per month. The operating rate is more than 85% though the production volume is still lower than 2,800 tonnes of a year earlier. Chofu works’ general manager, Mr. Takumi Fujii said the output would expect to reach 2,900 tonnes per month in the second half of fiscal 2011.

The production of copper sheet and strip has increased to approximately 4,500 tonnes per month while the monthly production was below 4,000 tonnes until June. The production is expected to reach 5,000 tonnes per month in or after September, which is almost as high as a year earlier.

About 55% of Chofu works’ products is supplied to automobile industry. Car makers were forced to lower their operating rate after Japan Earthquake in March. Thus Chofu works’ production declined. The works’ output of aluminium extrusion was average 2,300 tonnes per month for May and June.

In and after mid June, car makers boosted operation due to the restoration of component supply chain. The demand has also rebounded for aluminium and copper alloy rolled products.