Our core products are high-grade steel sheets for automobile body parts, steel plates for energy-related applications as well as the shipbuilding industry, and large shaped steel beams and sheet piles used as construction materials. Aiming to raise our corporate value, we expand operations into growth markets, namely Vietnam, India, and Thailand. We also work to provide solutions to customers’ problems to build strong relationships of trust with them, and endeavor to develop distinctive products.
a) Steel sheet
World automotive demand for steel sheets for automobile body parts is expected to grow, particularly in emerging markets.
b) Steel plate
Demand for high-performance steel plate is expected to grow in the case of energy development uses such as power generation plants, LNG tanks, pipeline, and marine rigs (offshore structures).
c) Structural steel
Infrastructure related demand for steel is likely to grow in emerging countries, mainly in Southeast Asia.
a) Steel sheet
With the growing popularity of lighter and stronger automobiles, our customers are requiring more advanced quality and performance in vehicle structures and parts.
b) Steel plate
Energy development circumstances are shifting into those of severe environments such as the deep sea and cold climates.
c) Structural steel
In Japan, the market is demanding environmentally-friendly products with high disaster-prevention performance and reliability features.
We are raising customer satisfaction through quality assurance, cost competitiveness, and delivery control, and increasing the ratio of stable business with long-term contracts, thereby minimizing downside business risks.
a) Steel sheet
We propose technological solutions such as the 3-dimensional hot bending process for lighter vehicle and expanded adoption of hot pressing for enhanced collision safety to customers.
b) Steel plate
We will expand our line-up of high-end products (i.e., fatigue-resistant steel and steel for offshore structures in extremely cold climates) and establish a mass production system for them (i.e., new heat treatment furnaces.)
c) Structural steel
We are continuing to develop high-grade structural steel, such as eco-friendly rotary penetration steel pipe pile and ultra-strength steel for earthquake-resistant structures.
a) Steel sheet
In Vietnam, Sumitomo Metals and China Steel Corporation (CSC) of Taiwan are constructing steel sheet manufacturing plant with an annual capacity of 1.6 million tons. The plant is scheduled to start operation in 2012.
In India, we are providing technical assistance to Bhushan Steel’s steelworks, and have agreed with Bhushan to receive the steel sheet manufactured there as OEM products to be sold under the Sumitomo Metals brand.
b) Steel plate
With the aim of responding to energy-related demand for steel plate, we have invested in the Canadoil Group and provide technical assistance to its steel plate mill, which is currently under construction in Thailand and scheduled to start its operation in 2013. With this investment, Sumitomo Metals will add 300,000 tons in an annual steel plate manufacturing capacity.
c) Structural steel
We promote exports of structural steel to overseas growth markets and satisfy steel demand for establishing infrastructure in Southeast Asia and other emerging markets.
