Dong-a Special Metal Begins Production of 'Titanium Ingots' Based on Scrap

The supply of Titanium and alloy ingots in the Asian market is expected to improve. Dong-a Special Metal, a rare metal recycling company located in Haman, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea, is set to commence mass production of Titanium ingots made from scrap.

According to industry sources, the global aviation industry has been experiencing rapid growth since the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a shortage of Titanium materials. When ordering related materials, lead times range from a minimum of one year to a maximum of over three years, causing significant disruptions in material usage.

To address this issue, the recycling of materials has become essential. Dong-a Special Metal has initiated the final mass production of Titanium ingots by developing a series of processes, from the pre-treatment of Titanium scrap to the production of ingots, over a long period.

The Titanium ingots that Dong-a Special Metal has begun producing include Gr.5 (Ti6Al4V) and Gr.23 (Ti6Al4V-ELI). The size is 230mm*3,000mm (max), and it is confirmed that various high-melting-point metal alloys, such as nickel-based superalloys, are also being prepared.

Jae-Ie Jang, Vice President of Dong-a Special Metal, emphasized, “In a situation where abnormal weather caused by carbon emissions is becoming a global issue, the production of Titanium sponge emits approximately 4.63 times more carbon (CO2) compared to steel.” He added, “Recycling rare metals is essential to reduce carbon emissions and prevent abnormal weather.”

Furthermore, in the United States and Europe, the rare metal recycling industry is already highly regarded, with scrap usage exceeding 90%. However, in South Korea, Titanium sponge produced in China and Russia is still being used under the pretext of cost reduction, contrary to the global trend towards carbon neutrality, according to the company.

Yoon-Kyung Ro, CEO of Dong-a Special Metal, stated, “As the aerospace and defense industries develop, the use of Titanium is expected to increase further. However, the reality is that the rare metal recycling market in South Korea is still very small.” She added, “Since someone must take the lead, Dong-a Special Metal is currently at the forefront, but we hope that more companies will take an interest in rare metal recycling, leading to a future where self-sufficient recycling is practiced, achieving true carbon neutrality.”