OSAKA Titanium Technologies said on Wednesday at press conference to brief semi annual results the firm expects the annual contract export price of sponge titanium will decrease by more than 10% for 2009.

The price decreases for the first time in 5 years under slower demand when airplane delivery schedule delays.

The price is expected to decreases for Japanese rolled products.

The firm decided the 10% output reduction in second half of the year ending March 2009 while the firm eyes slowdown for expansion investment by more than 6 months. – Japan Metal Bulletin