Kobe Steel said US subsidiary, Kobelco Aluminum Products & Extrusions (KPEX) held an opening ceremony for a new automotive extrusion plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Yukimasa Miyashita, senior managing executive officer and head of Kobe’s aluminium and copper business, said: “We’re growing our business and enhancing our presence as a manufacturer of aluminium extruded parts for cars.”

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“In this way, we continue to meet the need for lighter cars that meet fuel efficiency regulations and stronger collision safety regulations in North America.”

As the need for light weight and high strength materials accelerated due to more stringent collision safety regulations and environmental rules, Kobe Steel established KPEX in April 2016, anticipating the growing demand for car bumper and body frame materials in light of this trend.

Integrated production, from melting and casting to final processing at Bowling Green, began in November 2018.

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Looking ahead to greater demand, KPEX has already decided to increase the capacity of all production processes.

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It will add an additional melting furnace and extrusion press, doubling the number to two of each.

Production capacity will thus double to 1,000 tons per month from 2021.

In North America, Kobe Steel also operates Pro-Tec Coating Company, a joint venture with United States Steel Corporation, established in 1990 to produce automotive high strength steel.

In 2003, it established Kobe Aluminum Automotive Products to make aluminium forgings for automotive suspension.