Japanese steelmaker Kobe Steel has announced that it has commissioned the new hot treatment plant at its Kakogawa works, aiming to improve the production system to increase sales of high-end steel products and improve cost competitiveness.
The hot metal treatment is a process to remove impurities in molten iron as Kobe Steel's high-end steel products such as special steel wire rod and bar, automotive high-strength steel sheet, and steel plate for the energy industry require a high degree of cleanliness.
According to Kobe Steel, the new heat treatment plant built with an investment of JPY 30 billion ($292.5 million) will enable the company to save approximately JPY 6 billion ($58.5 million) annually.