Japanese stainless steel products manufacturer Nippon Kinzoku Co Ltd (TOKYO:5491) announced on Wednesday that it has begun mass production of ultra-thin, narrow-width stainless steel optimised for laser welding in ultra-fine insulin needles, establishing a stable supply system to meet growing global demand.

The company said demand for insulin needles is increasing alongside the global rise in diabetes and the adoption of ultra-fine needles designed to reduce pain and bruising. Growth in compact pen injectors and weight-management medications that use ultra-fine needles is also supporting market expansion.

Nippon Kinzoku supplies NK-304NKM, a specialised stainless steel for thin-walled welded tubes used in medical and cosmetic applications, offering stable weldability and drawability.

The industry is increasingly shifting from TIG or plasma welding to laser welding, enabling higher welding speeds and allowing base materials to be more than 50% thinner, including gauges of 0.08mm.

Following trials conducted with leading manufacturers in response to customer demand, Nippon Kinzoku has established mass-production capabilities for thin-walled, narrow-width materials designed to meet stringent quality and performance requirements.