Dowa Metaltech to Start New Facility for Brass Strip

Dowa Metaltech starts operation of new melting and casting furnace and an annealing furnace for brass strip at subsidiary plant in Shizuoka in the month. The firm decided the start when the production reaches the level as a year earlier level while the firm waited the timing for demand recovery after the completion. With the facilities, the firm can produce copper alloy strip without any production cut for commodity products while the annealing furnace, can process larger coil, contributes to the better productivity.

The melting and casting furnace can produce cake with almost twice longer length than before. The annealing furnace can process 4 tonnes coil while existing furnace can process maximum 2 tonnes coil and the plant has to weld after annealing process to make 4 tonnes.

The firm started the expansion since 2005. The firm expanded the copper alloy production capacity to 2,200 tonnes per month by renewal of hot rolling mill and reheat furnace, extension of conveying line and new alloy casting furnace by 2007.

The firm had to reduce the brass production when the firm increases copper alloy production. With the new facility, the firm added monthly 150 tonnes of metal production capacity and can produce copper alloy without production cut for brass products.