Japan Titanium Shipment Hits 10 Years Low in 2009

Japanese titanium shipment was 12,601 tonnes for ingot and 10,959 tonnes for rolled products in January-November, according to Japan Titanium Society. The annual shipment could hit the lowest level since 2001. The demand was very slow for airplane and industrial areas under worldwide slow economy.

The ingot shipment was 16,343 tonnes in 2001. The shipment decreased to 13,624 tonnes in 2003 but the volume hit record 26,999 tonnes in 2008. The shipment was likely to decrease in 2009.

The rolled products’ shipment hit 19,727 tonnes in 2008. The shipment was likely to decrease in 2009 as 11,946 tonnes in 2000. The demand was very slow for plate heat exchanger and other industrial applications both at home and abroad.

Titanium demand kept increasing since 2004 when the demand surged for titanium consuming major projects including chemical and power plant in China and seawater desalination plant in Middle and Near East while the airplane demand increased due to higher flight passenger in developing countries.

However, the demand decreased after financial crisis in late 2008. The demand decreased in 2009 partly due to delay of Boeing’s new model release with strike. Rolled titanium demand shipment is expected to be uncertain due to slow demand for industrial applications and ongoing inventory adjustment.