Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On February 13, China's Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. ("Baosteel"), Baowu Aluminum Technology Co., Ltd. ("Baowu Aluminium"), and the major Japanese steel manufacturer Kobe Steel, Ltd. ("Kobelco") officially inaugurated their joint venture, named Kobelco Baosteel Automotive Aluminum Rolled Products Co., Ltd. ("Kobelco Baosteel"), in Shanghai, according to a post on Baosteel's WeChat account.
Kobelco Baosteel is headquartered in Shanghai, with Kobelco holding a 50% stake, while Baosteel and Baowu Aluminium jointly own the remaining 50%, including subsidiaries in Tianjin and Sanmenxia. The joint venture will oversee businesses like coil procurement, product marketing, production and sales coordination, process management, logistics, and quality control across its two bases.
The joint-venture agreement was signed on August 8, 2024, followed by the first shareholders' and board meetings held on December 16. Kobelco Baosteel completed its business registration in Shanghai on January 9, 2025.
Committed to producing sustainable automotive aluminum sheets, Kobelco Baosteel will unify its sales channels and branding to serve a broad automotive market. Leveraging Baosteel and Kobelco's expertise in R&D, integrated management, marketing, efficient production, and global strategy, the company aims to enhance the supply capacity of premium aluminum sheets for automakers.
The joint venture will integrate Baosteel's SMARTeX new energy vehicle solutions to provide customers with comprehensive services, including EVI collaboration, processing and distribution, and technical support. By drawing on Kobelco's extensive experience in automotive aluminum production and its established customer base in Japan and China, the company seeks to enhance its manufacturing capabilities and expand its market reach.
Through the synergy of its shareholders in both steel and aluminum, Kobelco Baosteel aims to build a comprehensive automotive materials supply chain, offering tailored solutions to meet diverse customer needs.
