China Steel

China Steel Corporation (CSC) was founded in 1971, the largest steel manufacturer in Taiwan, headquartered in Kaohsiung. It mainly produces steel plates, bars, wire rods, etc., supplying domestic and international markets, and is an important pillar of Taiwan's heavy industry.

China Steel Corporation emerged from Taiwan's industrial planning during the 1960s. The proposed company was intended to create a domestic integrated steelmaking capability capable of supplying the island's expanding industrial economy. CSC was formally established on December 3, 1971. Its first head office was in Taipei, but the company relocated its headquarters to Kaohsiung on September 15, 1975, as the main steelworks was built in the southern port city. Construction of the steel mill began with the first stage on November 1, 1974. The first blast furnace was brought into operation on June 27, 1977, and the initial construction program was completed later that year. The second and third development stages were completed in 1982 and 1988. These expansions established the basic scale and integration of the Kaohsiung works, which later operated four blast furnaces. The facility combined ironmaking, steelmaking, continuous casting, rolling, and finishing operations in a single industrial system. CSC adopted continuous casting at an early stage and later computerized important production processes. Continuous casting reduced the need for certain intermediate steps and supported more efficient conversion of molten steel into semi-finished products. Process automation and computerization helped improve operating control and product consistency, allowing CSC to compete in international steel markets as well as serve Taiwanese manufacturers. The company's ownership structure changed substantially. CSC began as a non-governmental company, became state-owned on July 1, 1977, and was re-privatized on April 12, 1995. Its legal status is now non-governmental, but the Taiwanese government remains a major shareholder and continues to influence corporate governance. The company is the principal entity in the CSC Group, which includes affiliated businesses connected with steel, materials, engineering, logistics, and related industrial activities. Through its integrated works and group structure, CSC became a core supplier for Taiwan's downstream manufacturing economy. Its products support construction, transport equipment, machinery, appliances, energy projects, and other heavy industrial uses. The company also sells outside Taiwan and has developed international commercial and investment relationships. A 2016 industry comparison cited by the reference material ranked CSC as the world's 23rd-largest steel producer. Environmental performance has become an increasingly important part of the company's operating context. Integrated blast-furnace steelmaking is energy intensive and produces substantial direct and indirect greenhouse-gas emissions. CSC reported total direct and indirect emissions of 19.579 million tonnes of carbon-dioxide equivalent for the year ending December 31, 2020, representing a reported reduction from the previous year. The company therefore operates within the broader steel industry's ongoing transition toward greater efficiency, emissions control, and lower-carbon production.

1. 1995Re-privatization

   CSC was re-privatized on April 12, although the Taiwanese government retained a significant ownership position.

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2. 1988Third development stage completed

   The third stage of the development program was completed, expanding the integrated production base.

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3. 1982Second development stage completed

   The second stage of the steelworks development program was completed.

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4. 1977First blast furnace launched

   The first blast furnace began operation on June 27, and the first construction stage was completed later in the year.

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5. 1975Headquarters moved to Kaohsiung

   CSC moved its head office from Taipei to Kaohsiung on September 15 as the steel complex developed.

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6. 1974First construction stage begins

   Construction of the principal steelworks began on November 1, 1974.

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7. 1971Corporation formally established

   China Steel Corporation was officially established on December 3, following industrial planning undertaken during the 1960s.

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An integrated, export-capable steelmaker positioned as a foundational supplier to Taiwan's manufacturing, construction, transportation, energy, and infrastructure sectors.

• Steel slabsSemi-finished steel

  Slabs are semi-finished cast steel products used as feedstock for rolling operations. They form an important intermediate stage between steelmaking and the production of flat steel for industrial customers.

• Hot-rolled steelFlat steel

  Hot-rolled products are made by reducing heated slabs through rolling mills. They are used directly in applications where surface finish and tight cold-rolling tolerances are less critical, and they also serve as input material for further processing.

• Cold-rolled steelFlat steel

  Cold-rolled steel is further processed from hot-rolled feedstock to achieve more controlled thickness, surface quality, and mechanical performance. It is used in manufacturing sectors such as appliances, transportation equipment, machinery, and fabricated products.

• Coated steelFinished flat steel

  Coated steels receive a protective or functional surface treatment designed to improve corrosion resistance, appearance, or suitability for downstream forming and fabrication. These products extend CSC's offering beyond basic rolled steel.

• Electrical steelSpecialty steel

  Electrical steel is engineered for magnetic applications and is used in electrical equipment such as motors, generators, and transformers. It represents a higher-specification product area within the company's broader steel portfolio.

• Bars and wire rodsLong steel

  Bars and wire rods are long steel products supplied for fabrication, construction, fasteners, machinery, and other downstream industrial uses. Their production complements CSC's flat-steel operations.

• 1995Re-privatization of China SteelStrategy

  After years of state ownership and industrial expansion, the company moved toward a non-governmental corporate structure.

  What changed. CSC was re-privatized on April 12, 1995.

  Aftermath. CSC became legally non-governmental, while the Taiwanese government remained a major shareholder and continued to have an important governance role.

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• 1977Transition to state ownershipStrategy

  Taiwan's government was developing an integrated steel industry intended to support national industrialization and domestic manufacturing.

  What changed. China Steel changed from its original non-governmental structure to a state-owned company on July 1, 1977.

  Aftermath. State ownership supported the expansion of the Kaohsiung steelworks, while the company continued building production capacity and market competitiveness.

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• 1995China Steel is re-privatized

  CSC returned to non-governmental corporate status, although the Taiwanese government continued to hold a significant shareholding.

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• 1977First blast furnace begins operation

  CSC commissioned its first blast furnace at the Kaohsiung steelworks, marking the start of integrated iron and steel production.

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• 1977China Steel becomes state-owned

  The company changed from its original non-governmental structure to state ownership during the development of its steel complex.

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• 1971China Steel Corporation established

  China Steel Corporation was formally established as Taiwan developed plans for a large integrated steel industry.

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1. China Steel
2. China Steel Corporation official website