Kobelco - Company Overview

Company Overview

Ask Kobelco! The Best Solution for Any Gas Compression.

Kobelco consists of Kobe Steel, Ltd. (KSL), Kobelco Compressors America, Inc. (KCA), Kobelco Compressors Manufacturing of Indiana (KCMI) and Kobelco Machinery Asia Pte, Ltd. (KMA).

Kobelco is a global, diversified industrial corporation with annual revenues in excess of $20 billion (USD). Established in 1905, Kobelco is based in Tokyo, Japan, with manufacturing, sales and support locations worldwide. The Company operates in three main business sectors: Steel & Iron, Aluminum & Copper and Machinery. Kobelco's Compressor Division is a major business unit within the Machinery Sector.

Kobelco began manufacturing compressors in 1915 and remains Japan’s oldest compressor company. Today, the Company operates worldwide and is a leader in compressor technology, engineering and innovation.

Kobelco provides both process gas and standard air compressors.

Kobelco is unique in that it provides all three major types of gas compressors: rotary screw, reciprocating and centrifugal. As a result, Kobelco has the ability to engineer the best possible compressor solution for each application. For customers, the results are optimum performance and lowest overall costs of ownership.

Ask KOBELCO! The Best Solution for Any Gas Compression.

Kobelco Gas Compressor Technical Achievements

YEAR	ACHIEVEMENT
1915	Reciprocating: Began manufacturing Reciprocating Compressor (first in Japan)
1955	Screw: Began manufacturing Screw Compressors with license from SRM of Sweden
1955	Screw: Completed Japan's first Oil-Free Screw Compressor
1961	Reciprocating: License agreement with Cooper-Bessemer, USA for Reciprocating Compressor (API-618)
1961	Screw: Manufactured the world largest capacity oil-free screw compressor KS80
1966	Centrifugal: Began manufacturing Centrifugal Compressors (API-617 and API-672) with license
1968	Screw: Introduced an asymmetric Screw Compressor Rotor Profile to improve performance
1973	Reciprocating: Manufactured 670 kW LNG BOG Compressor by Cooper-Bessemer
1973	Centrifugal: Developed Packaged integrally geared Centrifugal Compressor
1974	Screw: Began manufacturing Oil-Injected Screw Compressor for Process Gas Services
1997	Screw: Manufactured the Oil-Free Screw Compressor for low pressure & large capacity use EX series
1980	Centrifugal: Delivered a Radial Turbine for Cryogenic power generation
1983	Screw: Developed Kobelco proprietary Super Rotor Profile to greatly improve performance
1983	Reciprocating: Manufactured ultra-low suction temperature [-150 °C (-238 °F)] Nitrogen Gas Compressor (first in the world)
1983	Reciprocating: Manufactured Non-lubricated Bone Dry Hydrogen Gas Reciprocating Compressor
1984	Centrifugal: License agreement was bought out and Kobelco started the compressor business with their own technology
1988	Centrifugal: Delivered a barrel type Centrifugal Compressor for recycle service with 200 bar
1989	Centrifugal: Three pinion integrally geared compressor for high pressure service was developed
1989	Screw: Delivered the world's largest capacity Oil-Injected Screw Compressor 'KS50'
1989-1992	Reciprocating: Installed more than 20 units of NET Gas Compressor and Recycle Gas Compressor for CCR Process . Manufactured more than 40 large size cylinders (over 800 mm Dia.)
1990	Centrifugal: Developed the integrally geared gas compressor
1991	Reciprocating: Manufactured Hydrogen Make-up Compressor [5,300 kW (7,100HP)] for Desulfurizing Plant (biggest in Japan)
1991	Screw: Manufactured the standard type Oil-Injected Screw Compressor NB series (using roller bearing)
1996	Reciprocating: Manufactured 1,600 kW (2,150 HP) LNG BOG Compressor [suction temperature -150 °C (-238 °F)] for LNG Receiving Terminal in Japan
1997	Screw: Developed High-Pressure Oil-Injected Screw Gas Compressor (EH Series), which is capable up to 100 barg (1,500 psig).
1998	Centrifugal: Delivered Radial Turbine
2000	Centrifugal: Launched ECO-Centri line (air compressor with radial steam expander turbine)
2001	Centrifugal: Delivered ammonia refrigeration integrally geared compressor
2002	Reciprocating: Manufactured 250 kW LNG BOG Compressor (total of 2 units) for LNG Receiving Terminal in Japan
2002	Reciprocating: Manufactured 1,000 kW Flash Gas Compressor [suction temperature -150 °C (-238 °F)] for NGL Plant in China
2003	Centrifugal: Delivered the first CO2 integrally geared compressor for Japan
2005	Screw: Manufactured the world largest capacity Oil-Injected Screw Compressor KS50
2006	Kobelco EDTI Compressors, Inc. (KEC) formed in the United State
2006	Reciprocating: Manufactured LNG BOG Compressors for LNG Terminals in the USA, Taiwan, and Greece (total of 6 units)
2007	Reciprocating: Manufactured LNG BOG Compressors for LNG Terminal in the USA (Total of 3 units)
2008	Reciprocating: Manufactured 5 sets of Make-up Compressor [5,400 kW (7,240HP)]
2008	Centrifugal: Developed SuperTurbo for high pressure application
2008	Centrifugal: Launched Integrally geared compressor for large volume (30 Nm3/h)
2009	Reciprocating: Manufactured 13 sets of Hydrogen Compressors for Green Diesel Project
2009	Centrifugal: SuperTurbo for high pressure application was awarded.
2010	Large-capacity compressor test facility begins operations at the Kobe Steel Takasago Works in Hyogo Prefecture in western Japan
2011	Kobelco EDTI Compressors, Inc. changed its name to Kobelco Compressors America, Inc. and opened a new, larger, state-of-the-art facility in Corona, California