EU Ferro-Titanium Imports Rise as Russian Supply Disappears

ferro titanium

EU ferro-titanium imports climbed to their highest level in more than a year during the first quarter, supported by strong demand from steel mills and cored-wire producers. The market is also adjusting to the disappearance of direct Russian supply.

EU ferro-titanium imports reached 8,431t in January-March, up 19% from a year earlier and 13% from the previous quarter. Estonia, Poland, Latvia and the UK accounted for a combined 5,119t, or 61% of the total.

EU ferro-titanium imports are increasingly being supplied from within Europe and alternative external sources. India led non-EU suppliers with 426t, double the year-earlier level.

The market shift is significant because Russian ferro-titanium had previously supplied 2,000-3,000 t each quarter before sanctions disrupted those flows.

Russian Supply Shift Tightens European Ferro-Titanium Market

Direct Russian ferro-titanium imports into Europe effectively stopped during the first quarter following sanctions imposed on Russian ferro-alloys in late 2024.

Russian material has instead increasingly moved toward Asia. China imported a record 3,855t of Russian ferro-titanium in the first quarter, up sharply from 816t a year earlier.

This shift is changing the competitive structure of the European market. Local producers and alternative suppliers are gaining market share as buyers replace previously available Russian units.

Titanium scrap availability is also becoming more important. EU imports of Russian titanium scrap fell to only 37t during the quarter, compared with much larger flows last year.

Lower scrap availability can raise feedstock costs for ferro-titanium producers because titanium scrap remains a key raw material for standard-grade alloy production.

The combination of stronger demand and constrained scrap supply has therefore increased upward pressure on European ferro-titanium prices.

Prices Recover as Mills Compete for Available Supply

European standard-grade ferro-titanium prices averaged $4.70-4.97/kg Ti during the first quarter, below year-earlier levels but rising steadily through the period.

Prices opened the quarter at around $4.30-4.60/kg Ti and finished at $4.85-5.30/kg Ti.

The initial rally was supported by uncertainty surrounding Austrian trader LL-Resources, followed by stronger demand from steel mills under long-term contracts and spot enquiries.

Tighter titanium scrap availability added further support by increasing production costs.

Demand from cored-wire producers has also contributed to tighter physical availability as buyers compete for prompt material.

For European consumers, the market is becoming increasingly dependent on domestic production and diversified non-Russian supply.

This could create opportunities for producers in India and other regions able to provide stable ferro-titanium volumes with reliable origin and feedstock traceability.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Europe’s ferro-titanium market is being structurally reshaped by sanctions and tighter scrap availability. The advantage is shifting toward producers that can secure non-Russian titanium feedstock and provide reliable long-term supply to European steelmakers.