Kobe Steel is considering setting up a JPY100bn (US$835m) aluminium plant in the US as it looks to increase sales to Japanese automakers that are operating in North America.

Details on the plant’s location and when and construction are not yet available.

The company’s investment amount is larger than expected as it might have to increase the plant’s capacity to process aluminium alloy, senior officer Hiroshi Kato said.

Kobe’s supplier of semiprocessed alloy in the US is being acquired by rival Constellium. If the company can find a new supplier, then it will go back to its original plan of building a 100,000-metric tonne plant, The Japan Times reported citing Bloomberg.

According to industry data, sales of aluminium sheets for automotive body panels, in North America, are expected to rise to 1.7m tonnes by 2024 from 150,000 tonnes in 2014.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.