Japan Titanium Ingot Production Almost Doubles in 1HF2010

Japanese titanium ingot production increased by 90% to 10,458 tonnes for the first half of fiscal 2010 (April-September 2010) from the same period of fiscal 2009, announced by Japan Titanium Society on Monday. The shipment of rolled titanium products increased by 52.8% to 6,667 tonnes.

The ingot production showed year-on-year increase when Boeing 787 is expected to be delivered to customers around February 2011 and titanium consumers’ minds are improved. Titanium demand is also recovering from other industrial fields.

The shipment of rolled products increased by 59.3% to 2,318 tonnes for domestic market while upped by 49.6% to 4,349 tonnes for export. Japanese titanium manufacturer points out the backgrounds are that inventory adjustment progressed at titanium product users and airplane constructions gradually recovered. The demand is also recovering for plant tubes, plate type heat exchangers of vessels and engine parts of automobiles.