Japan: Nippon Steel Further Lowers Operations on Dull Demand

Japan's steel major Nippon Steel Corporation has today announced banking of blast furnace at Kyushu works, Yawata area (Kokura) in the first week of Jul'20, in response to changes in steel demand in Japan and overseas and to carry out prompt and effective production adjustment.

"The banking of the No. 2 blast furnace at the Kyushu Works' Yawata area (Kokura) will be carried out from the beginning of July 2020, as soon as preparations are completed. The no.2 blast furnace is planned to be shutdown by around the end of H1 FY20", the company said in its release.

Prior to this, Nippon Steel has announced suspension at its Setouchi Works' Kure area, East Nippon Works, Kashima area and Kansai Works' Wakayama area. One other at East Nippon Works' Kimitsu area is scheduled to go under banking process from the middle of May'20, as soon the preparations are completed.

Besides, the company is planning to move up the scheduled blow off (suspension of operation) to renovate the blast furnace No.2 of Hokkai Iron & Coke Corporation that has the pig iron facilities in the Muroran Works from the beginning of Jul'20, as soon as preparations are completed.

Nippon Steel is world's 3rd largest steel making company. As per World Steel, its output was recorded 49.22 MnT in CY'18.