Nippon Steel Corporation is to build a new hot-dip galvanizing line at its West Japan Works in the Fukuyama area, with the aim of meeting the growing demand for ultra-high-tensile steel plates used in the automotive industry.

The new hot-dip galvanizing line will have a production capacity of 360,000 tonnes/year, with operations expected to begin in October 2028, Kallanish notes.

The total investment for the project is estimated at approximately JPY 70 billion ($475 million).

The primary product from the new line will be alloyed hot-dip galvanized steel plates, which are essential for the production of advanced automotive components.

Ultra-high-tensile steel plates, defined by a tensile strength of 980 MPa (megapascals) or higher, combine excellent formability with superior strength, which meet the demand of the auto industry on reducing vehicle weight while improving strength and safety performance. In response to this trend, the new line will enhance the company's ability to produce automotive steel products.

This investment is a strategic move to expand the company's production capacity and address the increasing need for these high-strength materials, which are crucial for automotive manufacturers striving to meet global environmental regulations and increasingly strict safety standards, the company said.