… Kobe Steel Affected by Tohoku Pacific Earthquake …

Kobe Steel, Ltd. plans to restart production at its aluminum rolling plant in Moka, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan.

Immediately after the Tohoku Pacific Earthquake struck Japan, the Moka Plant suspended operation. Since then, the Moka Plant had been inspecting the equipment and completed checking the facility today. The Moka Plant confirmed that it sustained no damage that would affect production.

From Friday, March 18, the Moka Plant will gradually restart operations and anticipates resuming full production on Tuesday, March 22. Shipments of aluminum products in stock have begun today.

Please note that plant operations may be affected depending on the power supply situation.

The Moka Plant makes aluminum sheet and plate products for automotive body panels, blanks and substrates for hard disk drives, and can stock for beverage containers, and other applications.