Taiwan’s largest steel-maker, China Steel Corp., opened an R&D center for value-added metallic products April 10 in Kaohsiung City, as part of an effort to increase the competitiveness of the local metal industry.
Constructed in collaboration with government-funded Metal Industries Research and Development Center, the facility is expected to focus on research projects that will upgrade the metal processing technologies of local companies while also spurring them to develop products with higher value, according to China Steel.
The opening ceremony was attended by Tsou Juo-chi, chairman of China Steel, Huang Chi-chuan, chairman of the MIRDC, and Wu Ming-ji, director-general of the Department of Industrial Technology under the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
“MIRDC and China Steel have been important contributors to the steel industry in last few years,” Wu said. “Since 2005 they have spent NT$770 million (US$26 million) on joint research projects and helping their partners develop high-end steel products.”
Industry estimates suggest that these collaborative investments have resulted in NT$35 billion in increased revenues for the steel industry, Wu added.
After the inauguration ceremony, China Steel officials said that during the first stage of operations the new facility would focus on producing advanced motors, improving thermal pressing procedures and exploring more alloy applications.
Taiwan’s high-end metal production value is expected to jump from NT$10 billion in 2011 to NT$150 billion in 2020, according to China Steel. (HZW)
Write to Aaron Hsu at pj1210meister@mail.gio.gov.tw