Tiangong Installs Second-Gen Plasma Atomization Equipment for Titanium Powder, Targets 3D Printing Market

[SMM Titanium Flash] SMM, July 31 — In July 2026, China's titanium dioxide production was 338,700 mt, down 1.59% MoM but up 1.50% YoY, with cumulative production down 5.74% YoY, and July production edged down. On the inventory side, producer inventories reached 306,800 mt in July, up 23.26% MoM but down 22.01% YoY. Sluggish demand from downstream coatings, plastics and other industries led to high inventories at enterprises. To ease inventory pressure, small and medium-sized producers took the lead in cutting prices to sell. Falling prices combined with cost pressure deepened enterprises' losses, eventually leading to production cuts and shutdowns at some enterprises, with the industry operating rate edging down slightly.

[SMM Titanium Express] SMM July 31: China's sponge titanium production reached 27,100 tonnes in July 2026, up 5.45% month-on-month and 17.49% year-on-year, with cumulative growth of 12.26%. Operating rates remained at high levels. Prices for Grade 0 sponge titanium were quoted at RMB 45,000-46,000/ton, down approximately RMB 3,000/ton month-on-month, amid weak summer demand and sluggish exports, with rising inventories putting pressure on prices. Downstream buyers had considerable room for negotiation in a soft market.

China sulphuric acid market continues weak, regional declines widen, index falls [SMM Sulphuric Acid Weekly Review]