Feti producers pushed to consider premium scrap

摘要

European ferro-titanium producers are considering buying premium scrap products and other alternatives, as the severe shortage of titanium turnings and other low-grade titanium scrap has left them unable to secure enough material for the fourth quarter. One option under consideration is to buy bulkier aero- space scrap products instead of turnings. While similar in grade — at 90pc titanium, 6pc aluminium and 4pc vanadium — they comprise larger parts of aircraft or broken down body parts, rather than turnings and mixed shavings from factory work. It is not an ideal option for ferro-titanium smelters, as it is typically priced at a premium to turnings due to the work involved in breaking it down. It can also cause impurities within the end product. N^Thomas Kavanagh