Titanium (Ti)

Titanium is a silvery-grey metal with a remarkable strength-to-weight ratio and excellent corrosion resistance. Pure titanium is highly ductile and has low conductivity, which means that it is frequently used in aerospace and military applications, as well as to produce medical prostheses and dental implants. The vast majority of titanium is refined into titanium dioxide (TiO2) and is most commonly alloyed with iron, molybdenum and vanadium, particularly in steel manufacture, and with aluminum to produce gamma titanium aluminides.  Titanium dioxide can be used for industrial and chemical applications such as manufacturing paper, pigments, plastics and personal care products.

Titanium-containing minerals are widely distributed in the Earth’s crust. While titanium can be derived from rutile ores, more than 90% of global titanium supply being is derived from ilmenite ore reserves. As of 2024, China is the world’s leading producer of titanium-containing mineral concentrates, accounting for approximately 30% of global production from ilmenite and rutile, followed by Mozambique and South Africa. Significant ilmenite reserves can be found in Australia, China, Canada, and Norway, while major shares of global rutile reserves are located in the United States, South Africa, and Sierra Leone.