Acerinox to Add No.2 Cold Rolling Mill at Malaysian Plant

Acerinox decided to add No.2 cold rolling mill and No.2 annealing and pickling line at Bahru Stainless in Malaysia, which is a joint stainless steel cold rolling plant with Nisshin Steel for 250 million euro, announced on Wednesday. Bahru Stainless increases annual capacity to 400,000 tonnes in January-March 2013. The firm launches the production of high-value added thinner stainless steel and special products at the new facilities. The firm launches the second phase program preparing for the integrated stainless steel operation before the green field project starts the first phase facilities with 240,000 tonnes of capacity.

The capacity of No.2 cold rolling mill of Bahru Stainless is 180,000 tonnes per year as No.1 mill. However, the stainless steel production from No.2 mill could be lower than the No.1 mill when Bahru Stainless plans to manufacture thinner stainless steel and special products at the second mill. The firm also introduces electric sub-station for power supply to future planned electric arc furnace.

Bahru Stainless began first phase construction in March 2009. The firm launches the operation of finishing mill from the end of 2010 and No.1 cold rolling mill in April-June 2011. The plant imports mother material from Acerinox and Nisshin Steel. However, the joint venture eyes annual 1 million tonnes of stainless steel making operation in future while the plant will expand the cold rolling capacity up to 600,000 tonnes.