Japan Titanium Materials Import Jumps by 90% in 2007

Japanese titanium materials import increases. The import increased by 90% in 2007 from 2006. The import from China increased to 5.8 times becoming largest supplier for Japan instead of Russia. Japanese rolled titanium makers try to increase the offshore sourcing to meet strong demand under tight titanium source supply. The import was 6,460 tonnes for titanium sponge and ingot in 2007 from 2006. The import represented around a quarter of domestic demand of sponge titanium. The import from China increased to 2,362 tonnes when the import from Russia increased by 42.6% to 2,208 tonnes. The import unit price was 1,870 yen per kilogram for Chinese material while the price was 3,139 yen for Russian materials. The import from Ukraine increased by 216% to 903 tonnes in 2007 from 2006 while the import unit price decreased to 1,805 yen per kg from 2,603 yen. Chinese makers expand the output capacity. However, many of them produce lower grade products. Japanese rolled makers try to secure high grade source to supplement short domestic supply.