Japan Rolled Titanium Shipment Rises by 11% in 1H

Japanese rolled titanium shipment increased by 11% to 9,672 tonnes in January-June from same period of 2006, according to Japan Titanium Society. The shipment apparently increased with better availability of raw materials after worldwide expansion by suppliers along with the strong demand for plants and automobile. Japanese sponge titanium shipment increased by 7% to 19,162 tonnes. The rolled products demand was strong for power generation and water supply plants. The shipment doubled to 619 tonnes in January-June from same period of 2006. The demand increased with aggressive projects in China and Middle East. The shipment increased by 21% to 2,059 tonnes for chemical plants and plate heat exchanger due to firm demand for shipbuilding. The shipment for automobile increased by 7% to 739 tonnes. The shipment decreased by 5% to 17,317 tonnes in 2006 from 2005, which decreased for the first time in 3 years despite of the strong demand. The shipment is expected to increase to 18,500 tonnes in 2007 when the sponge titanium availability improves. Sumitomo Titanium and Toho Titanium will increase the sponge titanium output by 3% to 38,000 tonnes in 2007 from 2006. The domestic shipment increased by 14% in January-June from same period of 2006. The ingot output increased by 6%. Japanese import of sponge titanium increases recently. The import decreased by 14% to 3,397 tonnes in 2006 from 2005, according to Ministry of Finance. However, the import reached 2,848 tonnes in January-June, which was 83% of import in full year 2006. Especially, the import increased by 82% from Commonwealth of Independent Stats (CIS).