Nippon Kinzoku Starts Commercial Production of AM60 Rolled Magnesium

Tokyo based stainless reroller, Nippon Kinzoku started mass production of rolled magnesium, AM60. The firm eyes the sales to buyers in South Korea, China and other Asian countries while the firm now sells the products only for domestic buyers. The firm already shipped sample of AZ61 and AZ80 grades eyeing commercial production in the year. The firm tries to expand the business by adding new items to existing AZ31 grade.

The firm got order from a major buyer in August for AM60 grade, which contains 6% aluminium and less than 1% manganese and has higher corrosion resistance than traditional A31. The firm started the commercial production at Itabashi plant in Tokyo to provide the material for structural parts of information technology related equipment.

The firm plans to make monthly 5-6 tonnes of magnesium alloy with half and half balance for AZ31 and AM60 grades for the second half of the year ending March 2011. With additional grades, the firm tries to expand the offshore sales from current 20% to 80% in around 5 years.

The firm provides the sample of AZ61 and AZ80 grades for research institutes in South Korea and China along with Japanese buyers. The firm expects the high strength materials are used for automotive parts while the firm tries to improve the cost competitiveness.

The firm plans to start commercial production of LZ61 and LZ91 grades for the first time in Japan. The firm tries to get order from Taiwanese buyers for notebook personal computer application while the firm ships sample for domestic users.