Sumitomo Metals to Obtain Ti Alloy Certification from GE

Sumitomo Metal Industries prepares to obtain certification from General Electric (GE) of USA for titanium alloy applied to airplanes. The firm aims to supply titanium alloy products for airplane engine parts, which has acquired certification from Rolls-Royce of UK in 2008. Sumitomo Metals tries to widen sales channels to the world top two engine makers. Sumitomo Metals produces titanium alloy products, mainly round bar, at Osaka Steel Works in Osaka, Japan.

As to GE’s certification, the products are now under final evaluation tests. Sumitomo Metals also tries to widen Rolls-Royce’s certification to additional alloys and sizes. The firm expects to obtain both new certifications in 2011.

Airplane applications account for about 70% in Sumitomo Metals’ total production of titanium alloys. The demand has recently recovered along the progress of inventory adjustment at the users. Sumitomo Metals plans to increase the production to 1.5 times in the second half of fiscal 2010 ending in March 2011 compared with fiscal 2009 while to twice in fiscal 2011.

Titanium alloys represent 6-7% in Sumitomo Metals’ total titanium products. The firm plans to increase production of both pure titanium and titanium alloy while to raise the alloy rate to around 10%.