JFE Steel’s East Japan Works in Chiba continues to face production disruptions following flooding caused by heavy rain in August and September, with the company estimating a production reduction of around 600,000 tons.
Several facilities were flooded by the August heavy rain, and JFE has been restoring equipment and gradually restarting operations. However, the blast furnace has yet to return to normal operations.
Further heavy rain associated with Typhoon No. 25 caused additional flooding at some facilities, extending the disruption. JFE said there were no injuries.
The company expects the impact on production to last longer due to the additional damage. The estimated 600,000-ton reduction could change depending on restoration progress, while JFE continues to assess the impact on production and financial results.
Some product deliveries are already being delayed. JFE is coordinating with customers and other parties to minimize the impact on supplies while prioritizing the restoration of equipment and normalization of operations.
JFE Steel Corporation is a major steel producer formed in 2002 by the merger of NKK and Kawasaki Steel. As the core steelmaking arm of JFE Holdings, it manufactures a wide range of high-value-added steel products and operates integrated steel plants across Japan, while maintaining a significant footprint in India, China, and North America.