U.S. launches national security probe into titanium sponge imports
2019-03-05 15:50:10 [Print]
According to a report, the U.S. Commerce Department on Monday announced to launch a national security probe into titanium sponge imports.
The probe under Section "232" follows an investigation by the Commerce Department in 2017 to review if titanium sponge imports from Japan and Kazakhstan were injuring U.S. producers and was prompted by a petition from U.S.-based Titanium Metals Corp.
In 2017, the U.S. International Trade Commission voted to end its probe into the imports, saying it found no harm.
The Commerce Department said the Pentagon supported the national security probe.
Imports account for more than 60% of U.S. titanium sponge consumption. Only one facility in the United States currently has the capacity to process titanium ore into the sponge used in manufacturing, the department said, adding that it was difficult to stockpile the material because it degrades.
The probe under Section "232" follows an investigation by the Commerce Department in 2017 to review if titanium sponge imports from Japan and Kazakhstan were injuring U.S. producers and was prompted by a petition from U.S.-based Titanium Metals Corp.
In 2017, the U.S. International Trade Commission voted to end its probe into the imports, saying it found no harm.
The Commerce Department said the Pentagon supported the national security probe.
Imports account for more than 60% of U.S. titanium sponge consumption. Only one facility in the United States currently has the capacity to process titanium ore into the sponge used in manufacturing, the department said, adding that it was difficult to stockpile the material because it degrades.
Titanium Sponge 99.7%min EXW China
Unit:RMB/mt
China titanium sponge producers' inventory statistics by province by month
Unit: mt
