Nippon Steel Builds Up Wire Rod Production System in Kamaishi Iron Works

Kamaishi iron works of Nippon Steel builds up competitiveness of high end wire rod products for cold headers applied to automotive bolts and nuts, or for steel code applied to automotive tires along its management plan for 2010-2011. The works utilizes continuous rolling process to weld billet to billet on line. The works’ operating rate improved to 70-80% in fiscal 2009 ended in March 2010 compared with the recent peak level in April-September 2008. The works plans to increase export of wire rod for steel code or cold header to follow offshore market growth.

Kamaishi works strengthens quality management system for cold header wire rod while develops new wire rod for steel code, especially wire rod competitive against offshore local products. The works tries to diversify application fields of continuous rolling process which can contribute to better quality for entire length of wire rod.

Kamaishi works also advances research and development activities in cooperation with Nippon Steel’s sales department, Kimitsu iron works and technology development department. Kamaishi works utilizes its test drawing machine.

The works starts to use forest thinning as fuel to coal-fired electric power plant in October in order to reduce CO2 emission. The works aims to contribute to local revitalization for forest industry or job creation.