SHANGHAI (XINHUA) – Kobelco Baosteel Automotive Aluminum Rolled Products Co Ltd, a Sino-Japanese joint venture specialising in automotive aluminium sheets, was officially unveiled in Shanghai. The occasion signified strengthened collaboration between Chinese and Japanese enterprises in the automotive materials sector.
The company, jointly established by China’s Baoshan Iron and Steel Co Ltd (Baosteel), Baowu Aluminum Technology Co Ltd and Japan’s Kobe Steel, has a registered capital of nearly CNY1 billion (about USD139.4 million).
With an equal investment from China and Japan, the joint venture will supply environmentally friendly aluminium sheets to automakers.
As aluminium plays a crucial role in vehicle lightweighting, the rapid expansion of electric vehicle production presents a significant market opportunity. China’s demand for automotive aluminium sheets is projected to grow from 442,000 tonnes in 2024 to 657,000 tonnes by 2027.
The company said that it aims to leverage Baosteel’s and Kobe Steel’s technological expertise, manufacturing efficiency and global market strategy to enhance the supply of high-end automotive aluminium sheets.
Chairman of Baosteel Zou Jixin said that the joint venture strengthens Sino-Japanese strategic cooperation, fostering complementary advantages while aligning with the industry’s shift toward green and low-carbon development.
The unveiling of the venture follows a trend of increased foreign investment in China’s automotive sector, with Shanghai serving as an important base.
