Sumitomo Metals to Add Slab Caster at Wakayama

Sumitomo Metal Industries decided to add a continuous slab caster at Wakayama works for 115 billion yen commissioning in fiscal 2011 ending March 2012. The firm tries to expand the throughput for annual 5.2 million tonnes of steel making capacity after launch of new no.2 blast furnace in October 2012. The firm launches new no.1 blast furnace in July 2009 as a part of 160 billion yen of investment for annual 4.5 million tonnes of steel making capacity. The firm plans to build new no.2 blast furnace as replacement of current no.5 furnace. The new slab caster, which can cast slab with maximum 250 millimeters thick and 1,970 mm width, is to secure the casting capacity as a part of the expansion to annual 5.2 million tonnes of steel making capacity.