Japanese steelmaker JFE Steel Corporation has decided to restructure its sheet steel business as part of efforts to improve the sustainability and competitiveness of its domestic manufacturing operations in response to structural changes in the Japanese steel market.
JFE Steel to consolidate sheet production at key facilities
According to JFE Steel Corporation, the restructuring initiative is part of its long-term strategy "JFE Vision" 2035" and its "Eighth Medium-Term Business Plan", which aim to reorganize domestic production structures and business operations.
The company said it plans to suspend the pickling line at its East Japan Plant (Keihin) by the end of fiscal year 2025-26. Thereafter, pickled steel sheet production will be consolidated at the East Japan Plant (Chiba) and West Japan Plant (Kurashiki and Fukuyama).
In addition, JFE Steel Corporation noted that by the end of the first half of fiscal year 2027-28, it will suspend operations at the No. 4 continuous galvanizing line and other sheet-related facilities in Keihin area. Continuous galvanizing production will be consolidated at the Western Japan (Fukuyama) plant, while cold-rolled specialty sheet production will be concentrated at the Eastern Japan (Chiba) plant.
Keihin to switch to plates and pipes
The Keihin area will be refocused as a manufacturing hub for eastern Japan, according to the company.
