UK’s TiVac Stops FeTi Production and Enters Liquidation Amid Market Pressures

TiVac Ends Ferro-Titanium Production in the UK

TiVac Alloys, a Sheffield-based ferro-titanium (FeTi) producer, has halted production and scrap processing, entering voluntary liquidation. The company cited high electricity costs and sustained ferro-titanium price declines as reasons for its closure. Prices have fallen to a five-year low, squeezing margins and making continued UK operations untenable. TiVac operated two Sheffield sites with a nameplate capacity of 1,500 t/month but recently ran at 500-600 t/month amid weak market demand. Now, all company assets, including buildings and equipment, will be sold.

Market Impact and Metraco’s Shift to Estonia

Metraco subsidiary FE Mottram, partnered with TiVac under a conversion agreement, will shift its UK contract deliveries to its Estonian ferro-titanium plant, Ti Q, which has a 600 t/month capacity with potential for expansion. Metraco aims to fulfill UK contracts from inventories while increasing production in Estonia. Westbrook Light Alloys, another partner, can meet its commitments from existing stock and is evaluating future strategies. The closure is unlikely to impact European ferro-titanium prices significantly as inventory and idle capacities elsewhere will cover the supply gap.

SuperMetalPrice Commentary:

TiVac’s exit signals ongoing challenges for ferro-titanium producers facing energy cost pressures and volatile prices. While Metraco’s Estonian plant may fill short-term gaps, the UK’s ferro-titanium industry contracts to a single producer. The loss of TiVac’s scrap demand may depress UK scrap prices, as export reluctance and logistics issues persist post-Brexit. Market watchers should monitor how energy costs and supply chain shifts influence Europe’s ferro-titanium supply and pricing dynamics.