Sponge Titanium Prices Drop 2% in July, Production Up 11.04% Year-on-Year

【SMM Titanium Flash】According to statistics from the General Administration of Customs, China's total imports of titanium concentrate in August 2026 amounted to 579,600 tons, marking a significant month-on-month increase of 67.13%. From January to August, the total imports of titanium concentrate reached 3.856 million tons, representing a cumulative year-on-year growth of 15.7%. Exports of titanium sponge in August amounted to 708 tons, showing a month-on-month increase of 23.78%. From January to August, cumulative exports of titanium sponge totaled 5,131 tons, marking a cumulative year-on-year increase of 11.74%. In August, exports of titanium dioxide totaled 144,000 tons, representing a month-on-month decrease of 0.2%, which was basically unchanged from July. From January to August 2026, cumulative exports of titanium dioxide amounted to 1.357 million tons, showing a cumulative year-on-year increase of 14%.

[SMM Titanium Weekly Review: Titanium Industry Chain Trends Diverge as High-End Demand Underpins Overall Weak Stability] The upstream titanium concentrate market remains in the doldrums, with supply expansion coupled with weak end-use demand making it difficult for ore-side prices to improve significantly in the short term, and the market is expected to continue its weak and stable trajectory. In contrast, the titanium dioxide market has shown positive signals, with downstream orders gradually being released, the September peak season effect continuing to manifest, and producers showing strong willingness to hold prices firm, giving titanium dioxide a foundation for a rise in the short term. However, prices are unlikely to rebound sharply and quickly, and the market will most likely drift higher. Going forward, continued attention should be paid to downstream purchase willingness as well as order-taking and production schedules at titanium dioxide enterprises.

China's sulphuric acid weekly decline narrowed significantly, with Shanxi falling by 330 yuan/mt [SMM Sulphuric Acid Weekly Review]