NS-Siam United Steel Co., a consolidated subsidiary of Nippon Steel Corporation (Nippon Steel) and a manufacturer of cold-rolled steel, hot-dip galvanized and 'galvannealed' steel sheets, and tinplate steel in Thailand, is to invest approximately 2 billion baht (about USD58.5 million) to expand the capacity of its electric plating line (EPL), the aim being to meet growing demand from customers – particularly can manufacturers – for tinplate steel used in containers.
Since 1963, when Nippon Steel began establishing product processing bases in Thailand, the country has been one of the most important strategic markets in the company’s overseas business strategy. Nippon Steel Group currently operates 30 local companies in Thailand, both directly and indirectly, including G/GJ Steel, which it acquired in 2022 with a total investment of approximately 17.9 billion baht (USD523 million). The company claims it has created around 8,000 jobs and contributed to the development of Thai industry by building a comprehensive supply chain from steel production to end users in the country.
Thailand is a major export base for food cans, with the industry concentrated there. Both the demand and market for container tinplate steel are expected to continue growing and expanding steadily. NS-SUS has recently decided to make a capital investment to increase its container tinplate steel supply capacity, aiming to further promote domestic production in Thailand and contribute to strengthening and developing the supply chain there. As a result, NS-SUS will increase its tinplate steel production capacity from the current 280kt/yr to 350kt/yr , with the capital investment for this expansion scheduled for completion in March 2027.