Toho Titanium to Expand Sponge Ti Production Cut

Toho Titanium announced on Thursday the firm expands the sponge titanium production cut to 55% cut in October from current 40% cut compared with the production capacity. The production decreases from current 720 tonnes per month to 540 tonnes when the demand decreases in and after October.

The firm expects the demand decreases when the domestic companies revise the capital expenditure by postponing or canceling the plans while delay of Boeing’s new airplane model launching reduces the airplane demand.

The firm produces sponge titanium at plant in Chigasaki, Kanagawa with monthly 1,200 tonnes of production capacity. The firm expanded the production cut to 40% reduction since April compared with around 15% cut since January.

The firm launches the second plant in Wakamatsu, Fukuoka in April 2010 as scheduled. However, the firm starts the operation at 50% of the monthly 500 tonnes of production capacity at the initial stage.