Anglo Asia Trading to Expand Thai Al Alloy Capacity by 25-30%

Thai based secondary alloyed aluminium maker, Anglo Asia Trading expands the output capacity by 25-30% at Thai plant in the year to meet growing demand in Southeast Asia. The president Chris Hirst said to a reporter of Japan Metal Bulletin the firm tries to focus on expansion of Southeast Asian business while the firm would build new Indian plant in and after second half of 2011.

The firm makes aluminium casting alloy including AC4B and AC4C grades at Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam. Mr. Hirst said the alloy demand increases in Thailand and Vietnam in recent 3 months at higher pace than expected. The Thai plant keeps full capacity operation at 1,200 tonnes per month to meet strong demand for transplants of Japanese automakers and manufacturers.

Mr. Hirst said the firm expands the operation rate to 80% of monthly 600 tonnes of output capacity at Vietnamese plant by end of the year while the operation rate increased to around 60% now from 50% earlier the year. The plant tries to meet growing demand for motorcycle.

Mr. Hirst said the firm studies to introduce Japanese machinery as a part of program to improve productivity and environmental action at Thai and Vietnamese plants.

Mr. Hirst said the firm decided to build new plant in India in near future despite of the rescheduling from original first half of 2011. He said the firm already decided the local partner for the new plant.