Japan Rolled Titanium Makers Get Over 5% Price Hike

Japanese rolled titanium makers concluded the price negotiation with the users to increase the price by more than 5% for fiscal 2008 shipment compared with fiscal 2007. The makers, which accepted near 10% hike by sponge titanium and titanium ingot makers, try to pass the higher cost price on the users. Osaka Titanium Technologies and Toho Titanium increased the sponge titanium export price by near 10% for 2008 shipment. The price increased for 4 years in a row despite of the smaller hike compared with past 20-30%. Rolled titanium makers apparently accepted the near 10% hike for titanium sponge and ingot. The rolled products makers try to pass the higher cost price on the users offering 5-10% hike. Rolled titanium makers are closing the order book for fiscal 2008. Their order receipt increases from previous year when the demand is strong for airplane, plate heat exchanger and chemical plant.