Osaka Steel Implements Strategic Capex in West Japan Plants, New Yard

Osaka based major electric furnace steel maker, Osaka Steel implements strategic investment to enhance high grade steel products and reduce production costs in fiscal 2011 ending in March 2012. The firm will carry out capital expenditure for the third-phase conversion works of continuous billet casting process in Sakai plant, Osaka.

For the second-phase conversion works of Sakai plant’s continuous billet casting line, the firm has completed introduction of a new electromagnetic stirring machine, partial renewal of the stranding process and improvement of the pillars. In the third phase, the firm plans to introduce a new casting machine which can prevent air intrusion as well as introduction of inspection and conditioning facilities.

The firm has also completed renewal of process computing system in Sakai plant’s rolling process. The firm plans next system renewal for the conditioning process.

As for Okajima plant in Osaka, the firm plans improvement of some of upstream production facilities for energy saving and cost reduction. The firm will also renew the rolling profile meter to improve the product size accuracy.

In East Japan, the firm opened a new own yard alongside Tokyo Bay in January 2011. The yard holds shape steel inventory at approximately 1,000 tonnes. Osaka Steel had supplied section steel to the users around Tokyo by marine transport from Sakai plant, Okajima plant and Kumamoto plant to steel dealers’ warehouses.