Nippon Steel and JFE Steel (Japan) re-start blast furnaces

摘要

On March 13, Japanese steelmakers Nippon Steel and JFE Steel have resumed operation of their blast furnacesstopped for inspection after the earthquake on March 11.In particular, Nippon Steel has launched three blast furnaces at Kimitsu plant – No.2 (3,273 cu m, 2.14 mtpy), No.3(4,822 cu m, 3.8 mtpy), and No.4 (5,555 cu m, 3.95 mtpy). The furnaces at the company’s other plants have remainedin action. Nippon Steel also owns Yawata (one BF, 3.5 mtpy), Muroran (one BF, 2.3 mtpy), Nagoya (two BFs, 7.8 mtpytotal), Oita (two BFs, 8.4 mtpy total).