NSSC Develops Ferrite-Series Stainless Products

Hiroshi Kinoshita, the president of Nippon Steel & Sumikin Stainless Steel Corporation (NSSC), Japanese largest stainless steel maker, said the firm had started output cut by 50% from a year earlier since autumn 2008 and suspended some facilities since the beginning of this year for inventory adjustment. Mr. Kinoshita said the inventory rate is decreasing thanks to the firm’s output reduction by over 60%.

Mr. Kinoshita explained NSSC’s most strategic facility is a 4-high wide plate mill specialized for stainless steel in Yawata works, which is the only facility in South Asia and can produce duplex stainless plate. He said NSSC aims to expand high quality products and solidify the top position for output volume and quality in Asia. He revealed the firm entertains to reinforce supply chain in cooperation with wholesalers, develop new bar and wire products with secondary processing makers and enhance high grade ferrite series stainless sheet in competition with other Asian stainless steel makers.

Mr. Kinoshita said NSSC advances the development of alloy saving stainless steel when raw material procurement is expected to become harder in the future. The firm supposes the development of ferrite series products is considerably important when ferrite series products excel in recycle.

Mr. Kinoshita guesses NSSC may entertain to form an alliance about cost down or an investment for the competition in the world when Japanese stainless makers is middle class in the point of production volume worldwide.