Sumitomo Metals overhauls blast furnaces in Kashima

Sumitomo Metals overhauls blast furnaces in Kashima

Japanese Sumitomo Metal Industries Ltd. decided to upgrade its No.2 and No.3 blast furnaces in Kashima, which have 5'370 m3 and 4'800 m3 capacities respectively. The company had upgraded its No.1 blast furnace in September 2004, increasing its capacity to 5'050 m3. The company will first upgrade the No. 3 blast furnace. It is scheduled to be brought back into operation in mid-2007. The company will then overhaul the No. 2 blast furnace. The total pig iron production capacity of the three furnaces in Kashima will reach 500'000 metric tons per annum when the upgrades are completed.