A new JRC report examines the titanium metal supply chain and highlights how boosting circularity could reduce import dependency.

Titanium metal is essential for the EU’s aerospace and defense sectors and plays a pivotal role in green and digital transitions. It is widely used in power generation, IT equipment (smartphones, tablets, laptops), and satellites. However, the EU faces a significant challenge due to its heavy dependence on imports of titanium products.

This reliance leaves the EU vulnerable to supply chain disruptions, especially in a global landscape marked by protectionism, limited suppliers, and geopolitical tensions such as Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Addressing Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
A new report by the JRC Centre for Advanced Studies (CAS) explores the current titanium landscape and proposes policy solutions to reduce dependency. Recommendations include fostering international partnerships, improving titanium circularity, and reshoring production to the EU. These measures aim to secure a sustainable titanium ecosystem, enhance the EU’s strategic autonomy, and potentially double employment in the titanium sector.

Titanium Demand and the EU’s Import Reliance
The EU is a major consumer of titanium, with demand expected to grow. Yet, limited domestic production makes the region a net importer. The import-to-export ratio for titanium products such as ingots, bars, sheets, and tubes stands at 6:1, while for unwrought titanium (primarily sponge), the ratio is 10:1.

Approximately two-thirds of the EU’s titanium demand is tied to civil aerospace, a sector employing over 400,000 people and contributing over 2% of the EU’s GDP. The remaining demand spans industries like chemicals, automotive, robotics, defense, and additive manufacturing.

Geopolitical and Supply Chain Risks
The EU’s dependency on titanium imports is compounded by geopolitical tensions, such as Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, and the growing demand from aerospace and defense industries. The global titanium supply chain is dominated by a few regions, including China, Japan, Russia, and Kazakhstan, limiting the EU’s ability to diversify suppliers.

While the EU has adapted to disruptions in titanium supplies from Russia and Ukraine, risks persist. Russia remains a dominant player, producing the world’s largest share of aviation-grade titanium.

Towards Circularity in Titanium Use
Improving titanium circularity presents an opportunity to reduce external reliance, decrease environmental impacts, and lower the demand for virgin materials. One promising strategy is to retain aeronautical titanium scrap within the EU for recycling rather than exporting it. Redirecting this scrap to domestic facilities could double employment in the EU’s titanium sector while adding economic value.

Policy Recommendations for a Sustainable Titanium Ecosystem
The JRC report aligns with EU priorities on decarbonization, reshoring, and critical raw materials. Key policy recommendations include:

1. Reshoring Titanium Processing: Establishing midstream production capabilities to reduce import dependency.
2. Recycling from Decommissioned Aircraft: Developing eco-design practices and simplifying material certification to overcome challenges in large-scale titanium recycling.s
3. Strengthening International Partnerships: Collaborating with suppliers like Kazakhstan to diversify sourcing while promoting sustainable practices.
4. Supporting Ukraine’s Titanium Industry: Integrating Ukraine’s titanium production into the EU value chain as part of post-conflict reconstruction.

The JRC report provides valuable insights into the titanium value chain and supports the implementation of the Critical Raw Materials Act. By advancing circularity, fostering partnerships, reshoring production, and integrating Ukraine’s industry, the EU can secure its titanium supply chain and achieve broader sustainability and industrial goals. Initiatives like the European Defence Agency’s work on titanium circularity underscore the practical steps needed to enhance strategic autonomy.

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