On March 18, Japanese steelmaker Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd. (Sumitomo Metals) announced that its subsidiary Kashima Steelworks has resumed production of lightweight welded H-beams at its shape mill after the earthquake of March 11.
Lightweight welded H-beams are primarily used for pre-fabricated steel houses and thus for temporary housings for earthquake victims. "We are preparing to fulfill the urgent demand for temporary housings as well as pre-earthquake orders as soon as possible," Sumitomo Metals said.
In addition, Sumitomo Metals also announced on March 18 that it has made the first shipment of hot coils from Kashima Port since the earthquake. Land transportation shipment has so far resumed for steel sheets, plates, lightweight welded H-beams, pipe piles and small-diameter welded tubes such as gas pipes.
As SteelOrbis previously reported, as a result of the earthquake, operations at all the production lines in Sumitomo Metals' Kashima Steelworks have been suspended due to damaged facilities at the plant, including gas holders, coke oven, blast furnaces and port facilities.
Currently, Sumitomo Metals said it is focusing all its resources to restart Kashima Steelworks.