Tokyo --- JFE Steel Corporation (JFE Steel) announced today it will renew batteries A (52 chambers) and B (52 chambers) in the No. 3 coke oven in the Fukuyama Area, which is part of the company’s West Japan Works. Total investment will come to approximately 27 billion yen.

Work on Battery A will commence in the first half of 2018 and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2019. Its annual production capacity will be approximately 360,000 tons.

Work on Battery B will commence in the second half of 2019 and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2021. Its annual production capacity will be approximately 360,000 tons.

Once Battery B in the No. 6 coke oven in the Chiba Area of the company’s East Japan Works begins operating, following a renewal now under way, JFE Steels will become fully self-sufficient for coke supplies. Nevertheless, to ensure continued competitiveness and growth, the company has decided to renew batteries A and B in its No. 3 coke oven. Following the renewals, JFE Steel expects to operate the batteries more efficiently and with smaller environmental footprints.

To complete the renewals as quickly as possible and at minimum cost, JFE Steel will use the pad-up rebuild method, which has been deployed effectively for other coke ovens.

Going forward, JFE Steel will continue strengthening its domestic manufacturing base for enhanced world-class manufacturing capabilities.

About JFE Steel

JFE Steel Corporation, one of the world's leading integrated steel producers, was established through the consolidation of NKK Corporation and Kawasaki Steel Corporation in 2003. The company operates several steelworks in Japan and numerous branch offices and affiliates throughout the world. JFE Steel leverages world-class technologies and know-how to produce a wide range of products based on its “Only One, Number One” strategy of focusing on unique and best-in-class products. The company reported consolidated sales of 2,349 billion yen and consolidated crude steel output of 30.41 million tons in the fiscal year ended March 2017. For more information, please visit https://www.jfe-steel.co.jp/en.

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