Japanese Titanium Ingot Shipment Totals 13,808T in 2009, 9-Year Low

Japanese domestic titanium shipment decreased by 48.9% to 13,808 tonnes for ingot and by 39.2% to 11,999 tonnes for rolled products in 2009 from 2008, according to Japan Titanium Society. Both shipment dropped down from the record volumes in 2008 and hit the lowest level since 2000.

The shipment of rolled products widely declined for electrolyzation, plate-type heat exchangers, automobiles and wholesalers. The shipment also decreased for export but the year-to-year minus range was covered by the stable demand from power generation industry.

The shipment of rolled products for domestic market significantly decreased for electrolyzation and heat exchangers when private sectors minimized new capital expenditures. The shipment for wholesalers lowered by 80% compared with 2008 and by 87% compared with the peak at 2,011 tonnes in 2005. Market inventory increased due to slow demand.