Osaka Titanium Runs Sponge Ti Operations at Full Capacity

Osaka Titanium Technologies started full capacity operation of sponge titanium after the expansion. The production level exceeds the record before Lehman shock when the firm launched second phase of expansion to add annual 6,000 tonnes of capacity in late 2010 completing the annual 32,000 tonnes capacity base. The firm expands the capacity to 38,000 tonnes in June 2011 to meet growing world demand for titanium.

The firm decided to restart suspended expansion in August 2010 to add annual 6,000 tonnes of sponge titanium output capacity. The firm started the operation of the additional capacity in February or one month ahead of the schedule. The production would increase from planned 22,000 tonnes for the year ending March 2011.

The plant in Amagasaki increased the sponge titanium output capacity by 8,000 tonnes to 32,000 tonnes in August 2008. However, the firm started output reduction under severe demand decrease during worldwide slow economy. The operation rate was only 50% or annualized 15,000 tonnes level in second half of 2009. The firm increased the operation rate gradually to meet recovering demand.

The firm started renewal program since summer 2010 for old 5 tonnes reduction furnace with annual 6,000 tonnes of output capacity, which stopped operation since mid-2009. The firm accelerates the renewal to complete earlier than planned July 2011 to establish annual 38,000 tonnes of total production capacity.

The firm started third phase of expansion in January 2011 to add annual 3,000 tonnes of production capacity. After the expansion, the total output capacity will reach 41,000 tonnes in January-March 2012.