Titanium Scrap Price Rebounds

Titanium scrap market price increases after decrease in November. The price is lifted by higher price expectation for rolled titanium while the steel making demand growth is limited and the scrap generation keeps slight tight position.

Titanium scrap price range is wide from less than 10 yen per kilogram for turning scrap to high grade scrap for remelting by rolled titanium makers. The scrap price is set based on market price of European low grade sponge titanium.

European market price was US$ 8.50-9.50 per kg for sponge titanium with 99.6% purity last weekend, according to Reuters. The price increased by 9% in a month hitting 3 and half months high. The higher price impacted on Japanese scrap market.

European price of ferrotitanium, which is used for steel making, is flat so far. The price is US$ 6.45-7.20 per kg for product with 70% purity, which is almost same as US$ 6.70-7.00at end of November, according to Metal Bulletin. Japanese exporter source said the firm has no additional orders from buyers in Europe and USA.

Japanese scrap dealer source said the titanium scrap price increase could be due to expectation for higher price of rolled titanium products. Japanese sponge titanium export started to increase since June due to recovering demand for rolled titanium for air plane parts. The sponge export contract price increased for 2011 shipment. The higher sponge price impacts on high grade scrap for remelting lifting market price for lower grade scrap.