Japan Titanium Shipment Hits Record in 2008

Japan Titanium Society decided not to disclose titanium demand outlook for 2009 citing uncertainty for demand condition. The society announced Japanese shipment hit record both for sponge titanium and rolled titanium in 2008 while the shipment was lower than expected.

Japanese sponge titanium shipment increased to 38,826 tonnes in 2008 exceeding former record of 38,533 tonnes in 2007. The rolled titanium shipment was 19,727 tonnes in 2008 exceeding record 19,807 tonnes in 2007.

However, the shipment was lower than the society’s outlook at 39,000 tonnes for sponge titanium and 21,000 tonnes for rolled products as of February 2008. The demand decreased in the second half of 2008 while the demand was strong for airplane and Asian industry in the first half of 2008. Worldwide slow economy in late 2008 reduced the titanium demand.

The demand dropped sharply in October-December. The shipment of rolled products decreased to monthly less than 1,300 tonnes. The demand deceased for power generators and distributors while the demand increased for electrolytic processors and plate heat exchanger.