Japan Sponge Titanium Export Hits Record in July

Japanese titanium sponge and other material export hit the record in July, according to Ministry of Finance. The export increased by 91.5% to 2,174 tonnes in July from a year earlier, which was higher than 2,070 tonnes in December 2010. Japanese titanium sponge makers are increasing the output to respond strong demand for aircraft including new model.

Japanese titanium material export was 1,830 tonnes in September 2010 and marked historical high at more than 2,000 tonnes in December 2010 while the monthly averaged export was 856 tonnes in January-June of 2010. The export was high at monthly 1,800 -2,000 tonnes in January-June 2011 excluding April, which Japanese titanium sponge makers were impacted by the major earthquake.

The export increased in July when major titanium sponge makers finished the revamping of reduction furnace. Japanese makers’ export rate is estimated to be more than 40%.