Defence · Rutile (TiO₂)
Titanium
China produces 67% of the world's titanium sponge. Airframes, jet engines, armour, and satellite and launcher structures.
- 67%
- of titanium sponge is in China
- 11%
- of EU imports of unwrought titanium (sponge) from outside the EU came from China in August 2026
- 5
- sites watched from orbit on OreOrbit
Where it is made
Share of world output held by the leading country at each stage. Sources: 2023, USGS, 2025, USGS.
What Europe imports
In August 2026, the EU imported €15.5 m of unwrought titanium (sponge) from outside the EU, 11% of it from China.
China everywhere else outside the EU. Monthly value of EU imports, Unwrought titanium (sponge). Source: Eurostat Comext.
Why it matters for Europe
Norway's Tellnes is one of Europe's largest titanium mines. Ukraine's ilmenite deposits at Irshansk and Vilnohirsk are a strategic asset; Irshansk restarted in 2023 after a war-related shutdown.
Key figures
- 67% of world titanium sponge output came from China in 2023 USGS SIR 2025-5021
- 300+ kt of titanium sponge was produced worldwide in 2024, up from about 200 kt in 2018 USGS SIR 2025-5021
Sites on the atlas
- PanzhihuaMine, China
- TellnesMine, Norway
- IrshanskMine, Ukraine
- VilnohirskMine, Ukraine
- Richards Bay MineralsMine, South Africa
Options for Europe
- Recycling meets 1% of EU demand today, against the EU's 25% goal for 2030.