Japanese Titanium Shipment Strongly Recovers for Jan-Jul

Japanese domestic shipment of rolled titanium products totaled 10,698 tonnes for January-July, which increased by 50% from the same period of 2010, according to Japan Titanium Society. The shipment would be as high as the record in 2008, which hit the annual record 19,087 tonnes. The shipment shows strong recovery for export, heat exchangers for chemical plants or domestic wholesalers.

The shipment for domestic market increased by 48% to 3,399 tonnes (including titanium alloy at 601 tonnes). The shipment increased by 63% to 1,440 tonnes for plate type heat exchanger used in chemical and electrolytic plants. The shipment expanded by 110% to 629 tonnes for wholesalers while the shipment increased by 44% to 388 tonnes for consumer products, medical and sport applications. The shipment for airplane increased by 73% to 289 tonnes while the shipment decreased by 33% to 268 tonnes for electricity and water generations.

The export increased by 52% to 7,299 tonnes (including titanium alloy at 167 tonnes).

Titanium ingot production increased by 73% to 17,633 tonnes for January-July from the same period of 2010. An official of the association said titanium sponge production is forecasted to exceed annual record 40,000 tonnes marked in 2008 and may reach 45,000 tonnes in 2011.