The joint venture between Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. (“Baosteel”), Baowu Aluminum Technology Co., Ltd. (“Baowu Aluminium”), and Kobe Steel, Ltd. (“Kobelco”) has officially launched in Shanghai under the name Kobelco Baosteel Automotive Aluminum Rolled Products Co., Ltd. (“Kobelco Baosteel”). This partnership, with Kobelco holding a 50% stake and Baosteel and Baowu Aluminium jointly owning the remaining 50%, aims to streamline operations across its bases in Shanghai, Tianjin, and Sanmenxia.
The agreement for the joint venture was signed in August 2024, with the inaugural shareholders’ and board meetings taking place in December of the same year. Kobelco Baosteel completed its business registration in Shanghai in January 2025. The company’s focus is on producing sustainable automotive aluminum sheets and providing comprehensive services to the automotive market.
By leveraging the expertise of Baosteel and Kobelco in research and development, management, marketing, production, and global strategy, Kobelco Baosteel aims to enhance its supply capacity of premium aluminum sheets for automakers. The joint venture will also integrate Baosteel’s SMARTeX new energy vehicle solutions to offer customers a wide range of services, including EVI collaboration, processing, distribution, and technical support.
With Kobelco’s extensive experience in automotive aluminum production and established customer base in Japan and China, Kobelco Baosteel plans to enhance its manufacturing capabilities and expand its market reach. The company’s goal is to build a comprehensive automotive materials supply chain by combining the strengths of its shareholders in both steel and aluminum, offering tailored solutions to meet the diverse needs of its customers.
Overall, Kobelco Baosteel is poised to make a significant impact in the automotive industry by providing high-quality aluminum products and innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of automakers. The joint venture’s commitment to sustainability, efficiency, and customer satisfaction will drive its success in the competitive market.
