Nippon Steel to increase coke capacity by 1 million tons

Nippon Steel to increase coke capacity by 1 million tons

According to recent news in the market, Japanese steel producer Nippon Steel Corp (NSC) is planning to build a coke oven at its Oita mill as Chinese restriction on exports of coke has increased prices of raw materials. The coke oven will have an annual capacity of 1 million tons. NSC meets 1 million tons of its total 12 million-ton coke requirement from other sources. Through the establishment of this coke oven, NSC will be self-sufficient in coke. The establishment of the coke oven is subject to approval of certain authorities. NSC officials stated that they do not plan to buy Chinese coke this year instead they will meet their coke requirement from domestic producers. Construction of the oven is scheduled to start in May 2006.