Japan’s Nippon Steel Trading Corp. plans to invest in Singapore-based Mlion Corp. to expand its presence in the ASEAN civil engineering and building materials product market, both companies said Oct. 1.

“This strategic investment aligns with NST’s long-term goal of establishing a stronger presence in the ASEAN market,” Mlion said.

Mlion distributes about 300,000 metric tons per year of steel materials across Asia and the Middle East and is a market leader in the steel sheet piling sector in ASEAN.

The subsidiary of Nippon Steel said the partnership is aimed at capturing infrastructure demand in ASEAN especially as “Mlion is considering expanding into other ASEAN countries for further business growth.”

The size of the investment nor the price was disclosed by either company but Nippon Steel Trading said the investment is subject to approval by relevant authorities.

The investment in Mlion comes as parent Nippon Steel expands in Southeast Asia, having turned Thai steelmakers G Steel and GJ Steel into subsidiaries.