Titanium metal is the best corrosion resistant metal, it has double strength of steel and has less weight. Areas of usage are e.g. aerospace, defence, automobile, construction, offshore, healthcare, chemical industry, power and sporting goods. The production volume of titanium metal is lower than the volume of pigment. The metal production has however high value and strong growth expectations.
In 2005 an estimated 65 % of the US titanium metal consumption was related to aerospace applications. The remaining 35 % was used in armor, chemical processing, marine, medical, power and sporting goods.
The global titanium sponge production was in 2005 just in excess of 100.000 tons. Industry analysts have forecasted production to increase to a level around 200.000 tons in 5 years time. The major consumption areas are the USA, Europe, China, Japan and Russia, whilst the dominant producer countries are Kazakhstan, Japan, Russia and USA.
The strong growth in the titanium metal market during the last two years has caused a significant increase in price. The sponge was priced at USD 6–7 per kg in the period 2003 – 2005. In 2005 and 2006 the price has been reported to be in the area of USD 25–30 per kg.
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