Toyo Kohan Co., Ltd. has awarded Primetals Technologies a contract to modernize the pickling line at its Kudamatsu plant in Japan, aimed at improving efficiency, product quality, and maintenance.
The project includes the installation of new entry-side coil handling equipment to automate transport from the coil yard to the process line, replacement of existing pickling tanks with polypropylene tanks, and the addition of an advanced laser welding machine (LBW). The switch to polypropylene tanks is expected to simplify maintenance by eliminating complex multi-material tank structures.
The upgraded LBW will feature Primetals Technologies’ latest laser cutting and spatter-free welding heads and is scheduled for completion in 2028. It will mark the first implementation of this LBW solution in Japan. The system integrates laser cutting and welding to process steel sheets up to 9 mm thick, improving precision, expanding product capabilities, and reducing maintenance by eliminating shear blades.
Toyo Kohan, founded in 1934, produces tinplate, surface-treated steel sheets, and functional materials used across packaging, electronics, and household appliance industries.
