JFE Steel increases production target
Japanese steel producer JFE Steel announced that it increased the raw steel output target for its West Japan Works plant by 400'000 tons to 19.5 million tons for the fiscal year ending March 2005. JFE also upped its 2005 fiscal year targets by 600'000 tons. Meanwhile, JFE Steel will start repairs on its No.5 blast furnace at the West Japan Works in the Fukuyama region. Repairs are scheduled to last 60 days starting from mid-February. Investment for the project is estimated to be Yen 21 billion ($203 million).