In 2010 we are no longer facing problems with supply of TMBP, our main raw material, therefore we will be able to exceed our 2009 market share which was 55%," says Ardhiman, President Director of Latinusa, confidently. "There are two main things supporting our confidence, the first one is raw material supply guarantee by Nippon Steel as our main shareholders which allows us to overcome our main problem that has been lingering for years as our constraints, namely supply continuity and limited amount of TMBP as raw material. The second one is our ability to meet all specifications required by our customers as an addition to our product’s high quality."

As reported at the end of last year, in 14 December 2009 PT Krakatau Steel has sold its shares at Latinusa by as much as 55% to Nippon Steel consortium, Japan. Domestic market consumption currently reaches 180,000 ton to 200,000 ton per year and is predicted to continue to grow. Latinusa certainly can not grasp that opportunity without guarantee of raw material supply, therefore public can easily understand Krakatau Steel’s reason in selling its shares at Latinusa to Nippon Steel. Additionally, Nippon Steel’s good reputation as the second world largest steel producer has become a valuable point for Latinusa.

"Currently we are in the preliminary stage of production capacity increase from 130,000 ton per year to 160,000 ton per year to grab the big opportunity in the market," adds Ardhiman. "With increasing sales volume and sustainable implementation of efficiency program, Latinusa will compete stronger with imported tinplate. We are confident we will be able to grab up to 70% market share in the next 3 to 4 years," he emphasizes.

Ardhiman’s confidence is not unreasonable considering Indonesia’s extensive tinplate consumption potential. As a comparison, Thailand, with its well developed agro business and fishery sector, has a domestic consumption of 600,000 ton per year. Indonesia with its ample land and ocean should have larger consumption than Thailand