Titanium

But the degree to which it is recycled depends on scrap type, purity, and application. Despite the diversity in approaches on the market today, the greenhouse gas emissions associated with recycled titanium are recognised to be significantly lower than those associated with production of primary titanium. However, the complexity of titanium production – and its strict, internationally monitored classification into various grades for deployment in critical sectors – adds a level of complexity to recycling in the titanium industry.

Titanium recycling feedstocks

Unlike base metals like steel, aluminium, or copper, which have higher post-consumer recycling rates, titanium is primarily recycled during production. Because of its high cost, titanium scrap generated during smelting and machining processes is almost entirely recovered and reused. This internal reuse, often called cascade recycling, results in a real recycling rate that exceeds 90%, making titanium one of the most efficiently recycled metals during manufacturing. Therefore, while post-consumer titanium recycling isn’t currently significant due to the metal’s durability and long service life, the industry has become very efficient at reusing titanium within the production cycle. According to a recent market report, the annual recycled share of global titanium supply is estimated at approximately 30% in 2022.

Pre-consumer titanium scrap is generally preferred for recycling over post-consumer scrap due to its higher and more predictable purity, as it is less likely to be contaminated with non-titanium materials. Large-volume producers such as the aerospace industry and titanium mill product manufacturers have established closed-loop recycling systems to capture and reuse this scrap efficiently.

Titanium’s main applications are in long-lasting items like airplane parts and power plant equipment, with titanium-rich product life spans of over a decade common. This means there is currently relatively little end-of-life, post-consumer titanium available to recycle from the consumer side. However, titanium’s high value makes recycling economically attractive within the manufacturing process itself. Companies actively recycle titanium scraps and waste during production and machining operations. Although the nominal recycling rate of titanium — defined as the amount of titanium recovered from post-consumer products compared to new titanium sponge production — is extremely low (less than 1%), this figure does not accurately reflect the overall material flow of titanium.

The aerospace sector stands as the largest generator of pre-consumer titanium scrap globally, driven by the extensive machining and fabrication processes required to produce aircraft components. During manufacturing, significant amounts of titanium material are removed through precision machining operations, creating substantial volumes of high-quality metal shavings and offcuts. Major manufacturers have developed sophisticated closed-loop recycling systems. This circular approach has become a cornerstone of sustainable manufacturing practices within the aerospace industry, demonstrating how high-value materials can be efficiently recovered and reintegrated into the production cycle.

Compared to pre-consumer scrap, the volume of post-consumer titanium scrap is much lower. Common sources include end-of-life aircraft parts, and medical implants and prosthetics. As titanium’s primary uses are in long-lifespan, high-spec products, it leads to slow scrap generation rates. Many in-use products are still in service, so the annual supply of post-consumer scrap is only a small fraction of total titanium use worldwide. Post-consumer scrap recycling also presents challenges as it is more likely to be contaminated with other metals, coatings, or organic residues, which complicates recycling and increases processing costs. Extensive purification and sorting are required to meet the purity standards needed for high-end titanium applications. Due to purity concerns, much post-consumer titanium scrap is downgraded for use as alloy additions in steel or non-critical applications, unless it can be effectively purified.

As more titanium-laden products reach end of life, the role of post-consumer scrap is expected to increase, especially as advanced recycling technologies mature and as circularity principles become a greater industry focus.