Chinese steelmaker Baoshan Iron & Steel Company has agreed to acquire Nippon Steel Corporation’s 50% stake in their Shanghai-based automotive steel joint venture Baosteel-Nippon Steel Automotive Steel Sheets.

The joint venture was established in 2004 to combine Nippon Steel’s advanced steelmaking technology with the huge growth opportunities in China’s automotive industry at that time.

The company produces cold rolled and hot dip galvanised steel sheets mainly for Japanese automakers based in China.

Nippon Steel said its management period of the joint venture was scheduled to expire at the end of August 2024 and it had agreed to withdraw from the partnership on this date, subject to receipt of regulatory approvals and other closing conditions.

Baoshan had agreed to pay Nippon Steel US$242m to take full control of the company.

Demand for automotive steel had slowed in China in recent years as vehicle manufacturers shifted production to lighter electric vehicles (EVs). Japanese automakers based in China had also struggled recently with strong competition from Chinese.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Nippon Steel was pursuing growth opportunities elsewhere, including its proposed US$14.1bn proposed takeover of US Steel which was coming up against significant opposition from local policy makers.