Titanium Grade 7 Ingot Production Achieved by DongA Special Metal Using Recycled Scrap

South Korea’s DongA Special Metal recently achieved a major breakthrough by producing Titanium Grade 7 ingots using recycled palladium-added scrap. This marks the first time the country has manufactured this high-value alloy domestically from scrap material. DongA utilized advanced plasma arc melting (PAM) combined with induction skull melting (ISM) technology to refine and cast the ingots. The entire production run was sold to a U.S.-based metal processing company, demonstrating the firm’s global competitiveness in specialty titanium alloys.

Advancing Titanium Grade 7 Ingot Production with Innovative Technologies

Titanium Grade 7 is prized for its superior corrosion resistance, especially in chemical and nuclear environments. Producing this alloy from recycled scrap poses technical challenges due to its high melting point and strict compositional requirements. DongA’s adoption of PAM-ISM fusion technology addresses these difficulties by enabling simultaneous refining, remelting, and continuous casting. This process contrasts with the conventional vacuum arc remelting (VAR), which still accounts for 75% of global titanium ingot production. DongA’s approach offers a more efficient and environmentally sustainable pathway to manufacture chemical-grade titanium.

Impact of Domestic Titanium Grade 7 Ingot Production on South Korea’s Industry

DongA Special Metal’s 1-ton capacity titanium ingot facility now strengthens South Korea’s supply chain for critical industries such as semiconductors, chemical processing, and nuclear energy. Titanium Grade 7 ingots produced domestically reduce the nation’s import reliance for corrosion-resistant components used in chlorine process systems, nuclear condenser tubing, and desalination heat exchangers. Furthermore, this achievement paves the way for deeper collaboration with Korean industrial players and public research institutions. The successful export to the U.S. highlights DongA’s advanced alloy design capabilities and expertise in electrochemical properties of palladium-titanium systems.

SuperMetalPrice Commentary:

DongA Special Metal’s success in producing Titanium Grade 7 ingots from recycled scrap signals a major shift in Korea’s metals industry. By combining PAM and ISM technologies, DongA meets global demand for high-purity titanium alloys. The company also positions itself as a leader in sustainable metal manufacturing. This breakthrough reduces import dependency and boosts South Korea’s competitiveness in high-tech sectors. These include semiconductors, chemical processing, and nuclear applications. Looking ahead, adopting innovative recycling techniques could reshape the global titanium supply. This change will promote more eco-efficient production methods worldwide.