Titanium Grade 7 Ingot Production Achieved by DongA Special Metal Using Recycled Scrap

DongA Special Metal's Titanium Grade 7 Ingot

Korea’s first Ti Gr.7 ingot production from scrap marks breakthrough in domestic titanium alloy manufacturing

PAM and ISM technologies enable supply chain innovation for chemical and nuclear-grade titanium products

South Korea’s DongA Special Metal has successfully achieved titanium Grade 7 ingot production using palladium-added scrap, marking a first in the nation’s metallurgical history. The company announced that the Titanium Grade 7 ingot production was completed using plasma arc melting (PAM) technology and sold entirely to a U.S.-based metal processing company.

Advanced melting meets global demand for high-purity corrosion-resistant alloys

Titanium Grade 7 is a high-value alloy used in harsh chemical environments, thanks to its outstanding corrosion resistance. However, its production from recycled scrap is notoriously difficult, due to the high melting point and the need for precise composition control. To overcome this, DongA adopted PAM technology and integrated it with ISM (Induction Skull Melting) equipment—enabling simultaneous refining, remelting, and continuous casting.

This approach contrasts with the global standard, where 75% of titanium ingots are still made using vacuum arc remelting (VAR). DongA’s use of PAM-ISM fusion technology positions it ahead in recycling-based alloy innovation, especially for critical industries.

Domestic production reduces import dependence for chemical, nuclear, and desalination sectors

The company’s 1-ton titanium ingot facility, the largest in Korea, now supports local sourcing for semiconductor, display, and chemical process equipment manufacturers. Titanium Grade 7 is essential for chlorine process systems, wet chlorine coolers, ion exchange membrane equipment, nuclear condenser tubing, and desalination heat exchangers.

This milestone also opens the door for strategic collaboration with Korean industrial players and public R&D institutions. The successful export to the U.S. underscores DongA’s technical competitiveness in alloy design and electrochemical understanding of the palladium-titanium system.

The Metalnomist Commentary

DongA Special Metal’s innovation in Titanium Grade 7 ingot production signals Korea’s move up the titanium value chain. By mastering scrap-based high-purity alloy production, the firm reduces import dependency and strengthens national capabilities in strategic sectors like nuclear energy, semiconductors, and chemical equipment.