Recent improvements in the steel making operations of
Chinas
Shagang group, including a larger blast furnace, larger converter and a continuous
slab caster, mean that the companys annual iron making and steel making capabilities may reach 9 million tons and 11.3 million tons respectively.
The Chinese steelmaker, whose total throughput could break the 50 million ton barrier, set an export target of nearly 8 million tons. In particular,
Shagang's
slab exports may reach 2.5 million tons. Such volume would be equivalent to about US$1 billion in trade value.