Hitachi Metals Accelerates R&D of Air Plane and Power Plant Materials

Hitachi Metals’ special steel company integrates management resources into special materials for air plane components and energy industry. The firm accelerates R&D of these new materials since demand shrinkage is expected for cutting tools and automotive components, the firm’s main products, due to penetration of electric vehicles (EVs) in future. The firm also eyes investment for smelting processes in Agi works, Shimane, Japan.

Demand is increasing for air planes and nuclear power plants in emerging countries. Hitachi Metals has supplied titanium alloy for rings, high heat resistance alloy for turbine disks and shafts, those which are used for air planes and nuclear power plants. However, it is hard to enter the new markets because of severe product certifications. Hitachi Metals appeals high technology to expand market shares where offshore steel makers cannot follow up.

The firm forecasts automotive engine production would decrease in future due to alternate to EV. Mr. Akitoshi Hiraki, president of Hitachi Metals’ special steel company, said the firm should start new material development now even though EV penetrates 10 or 20 years later. The firm regards air plane and nuclear power plant materials as the next core businesses.

Hitachi Metals estimates consolidated net sales at 500 billion yen for fiscal 2010 ending in March 2011, increasing by 16% year-to-year along demand recovery of automobiles and electronics materials.