Fire Puts Japanese Plate Mill Out of Commission For Eight Months
01/18/2017 - A heavy plate mill in Japan is likely to remain off-line for the next eight months following a fire that damaged the facility.
In a statement, Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corp. said the 6 January 2017 fire at its Oita works damaged the rolling line’s electrical system and instrumentation – it occurred in an electrical room and took a day to extinguish. The cause is still under investigation, and the company said it will probably take until September to make repairs.
“We are studying the damage in detail, purchasing equipment and materials, and considering options that could expedite the reconstruction work, with a view to a swift resumption of operation,” officials said in a statement.
“We will continue our efforts to further shorten the period of suspending the operation.”
In the meantime, the company is diverting production to its three other heavy plate mills and has asked other steelmakers for help in meeting orders.
The mill’s finishing lines were not affected by the fire and are continuing to operate.
“We are studying the damage in detail, purchasing equipment and materials, and considering options that could expedite the reconstruction work, with a view to a swift resumption of operation,” officials said in a statement.
“We will continue our efforts to further shorten the period of suspending the operation.”
In the meantime, the company is diverting production to its three other heavy plate mills and has asked other steelmakers for help in meeting orders.
The mill’s finishing lines were not affected by the fire and are continuing to operate.
