International titanium raw materials

It has been reported that Orissa Sands Plant (subordinate to Indian Rare Earth Co., Ltd.) plans to increase its production capacity. The expansion includes mining areas and metal separation plants. OSCOM reported that this expansion will increase titanium production from the current annual production capacity of 220,000 tons to 470,000 tons per year. The restrictions of the surrounding environment have been cleared.

HUNTSMAN has completed the acquisition of Indian chemical manufacturer LAFFANS Petrochemical Co., Ltd. and acquired the ownership of all facilities at ANKLESHWAR GUJARAT. The company also announced an investment of US$70 million to expand its production capacity of Singapore-based polyether polyether plant.

Hakusan Titan has signed a fourth letter of intent with major Asian producers of metal and chemical products to produce standard grade rutile in CERRO BALNCO in northern Chile. Baishan Titanium stated that it is discussing with the welding electrode manufacturers to provide fine and ultra-fine rutile. The company also said it has completed the intensive drilling of the LAS CAROLINAS exploration project.

The VILNOHIRSK mining and smelter won the bid for 35,000 tons of refined titanium iron ore from SUMYKHIMPROM. VILNOHIRSK is a branch of the Crimean Titan Petrovsk region. The contract until 2012, the project worth 54.9 million hryvnia (6.85 million US dollars). On April 11, South Africa's Minister of Industry and Trade, ROB DAVIES, announced plans to establish a rare metal plant worth 15 billion rand ($ 2.25 billion) in Western Cape. It is reported that the plant will produce high value-added industrial metals, including titanium, zirconium, hafnium, and silicon. The National Authorization** will recruit local and foreign investors to raise funds together.