Asian operations up share in Tata Steel output

KOLKATA: The share of Asian operations increased to 37% of Tata Steel group’s crude steel production in 2009-10 compared to 30% in the previous year. The closure of Corus group’s Teesside plant brought down Europe’s share in its overall steel output.

Steel output at Tata Steel India was 4% higher at 1.7 million tonnes in Q4 of 2009-10 when compared to Q4 of the previous corresponding period of 2008-09. For the full year 2009-10, Tata Steel India reported finished steel production of 6.5 million tonne. During the year, the new ‘H’ blast furnace produced 22% higher to reach a level of 3.07 million tonnes, which is well above its rated capacity.

“The contribution of the Asian operations to the Group’s crude steel production rose to 37% last year, compared to 30% in the previous year,” Tata Steel MD H M Nerurkar said while announcing the company’s annual results.

At NatSteel, Tata Steel Group’s operations in Singapore, finished steel production was up 31% at 430,000 tonnes in fourth quarter of 2009-10 compared to 329,000 tonnes. Similarly, finished steel output in Tata Steel Thailand was 87% higher in Q4 of 2009-10 at 364,000 tonnes compared to 195,000 tonnes in same period of 2008-09.

For Tata Steel Europe (Corus), liquid steel production rose by 32% in Q4 of FY’ 10 to 3.7 million tonne compared to 2.8 million tonne in Q4 of 2008-09 due to resumption of production at Wales and Netherlands. However, when compared to Q3 of FY’10 it fell 11% due to partial closure of Teeside Cast Products (TCP) unit in February. The group said partial mothballing of Teeside has resulted in higher capacity utililsation at other UK facilities. There were also production losses due to planned repairs at blast furnace no. 7 at IJmuiden.