May 10, 2022

Nippon Steel Corporation

Nippon Steel Corporation has decided to establish a new next-generation hot strip mill at the Nagoya Works.

In the automotive industry, demand for high-performance materials is expected to increase further in response to needs for more lightweight and stronger vehicle bodies, as global environmental regulations and collision safety standards are being tightened and social needs to achieve carbon neutrality are increasing. In the case of electric vehicles and other electric-powered vehicles, which are becoming ever more popular, needs for more lightweight and stronger vehicle bodies are expected to increase due to the issues of mileage and battery weight.

In response to these needs, Nippon Steel will fundamentally strengthen the production system for high-grade steel sheets, such as ultra-high-tensile strength steel sheets*, which can also be effective in reducing greenhouse gas emissions throughout the entire automobile life cycle from material production through driving.

Specifically, as the culmination of many years of research by Nippon Steel R&D Laboratories, which has thoroughly pursued the potential of steel materials, a next-generation hot strip mill, equipped with the world’s largest roll force stands and featuring dramatically improved rolling and temperature control, will be constructed at the Nagoya Works, the core of automotive steel sheet production. The existing hot strip mill will be shut down after the new mill starts operation.

Through the provision of superior steel materials that outperform other materials by highly achieving lower body weight, improved collision safety, and a high level of greenhouse gas emission reduction, as well as solution proposals such as the next-generation steel car concept NSafe^TM-AutoConcept, Nippon Steel is committed to contributing to customers and to realizing a carbon-neutral society.

* Ultra-high-tensile strength steel sheets: Steel sheets with a tensile strength of 1.0 GPa or higher

[Outline of the new hot strip mill]

• Production capacity: Approximately 6 million tons per year
• Start of operation: First quarter of fiscal 2026 (plan)
• Investment amount: Approximately ¥270 billion
  (The existing hot strip mill is scheduled to be shut down during fiscal 2026.)
  

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