Titanium Prices Hold as Inventory Drawdown Limits Spot Buying

Titanium

Titanium prices held steady in Europe and the US over the past month as mills, forgers and OEMs continued to rely on inventories instead of placing larger new orders. The market remained under pressure from surplus melt capacity and slower demand for standard-quality titanium used in airframe structures.

US 6Al 4V ingot prices stayed at $10-10.75/lb fob domestic producer, with some spot purchases still taking place near $10/lb. Mills kept offers broadly stable below $11/lb, although at least one producer quoted above that level for larger orders.

Titanium prices also remained flat in Europe, with 6Al 4V ingot assessed at $19.50-21.50/kg du Rotterdam. Forgers continued to work through high inventories of mill products before committing to new intermediate material purchases.

Aerospace Inventory Drawdown Keeps Pressure on Standard Titanium

Aerospace demand remained uneven as Boeing and Airbus continued inventory drawdowns. This primarily affected standard-quality titanium used in airframe structures, where consumption has been slower than in higher-specification applications.

Surplus melt capacity kept pressure on ingot prices. Market participants said lead times for basic Grade 5 ingot were around eight to 10 weeks, while some producers could likely deliver within six weeks if pushed.

Demand was stronger in premium-quality ingot for engine applications. Defence and medical markets also showed pockets of resilience, giving titanium producers some support outside standard aerospace structures.

Sponge and Commercially Pure Titanium Markets Stay Stable

Titanium sponge contract prices also remained stable. TG100 grade sponge long-term contract prices were assessed at $11-12/kg du Rotterdam in March, in line with standing 2026 contracts.

Saudi Arabian producer ATTM continued to operate normally, despite wider Middle East conflict risks and disruption around the Strait of Hormuz. The conflict has affected regional freight routes and disrupted some metals supply chains, but no direct titanium sponge impact was reported.

Commercially pure titanium ingot prices were also unchanged. CP Grade 1 ingot held at $12-14/kg cif main port, while CP Grade 2 ingot stayed at $11.10-12/kg cif main port.

Buyers avoided finalising new contracts as they focused on reducing stocks. However, inventory clearing remains difficult because lower-cost Chinese material continues to compete aggressively in downstream industrial markets.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Titanium prices are stable, but the market is not yet strong. The real divide is between standard aerospace titanium, where inventories still weigh on demand, and premium-quality, defence and medical applications, where strategic consumption remains firmer.