Last US titanium sponge maker exits; Timet cites Covid-19, not Section 232 denial

Titanium Metals Corp (Timet), the last producer of titanium sponge in the United States, has indefinitely stopped producing the raw material, but will continue in its role as a leading global supplier of titanium metal products.

The Warrensville Heights, Ohio-based company confirmed to Fastmarkets that it has wound down its sponge production out of Henderson, Nevada, in recent weeks.
"The melting operations at Henderson will continue," said spokesman David Dugan, adding that Timet will import the sponge needed to make titanium ingot, alloys and other finished products.
Timet supplies nearly one-fifth of the world's titanium, according to its website. It has melting and milling plants worldwide but made sponge only in the US.

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