Progress in the Titanium Alloy Industry in China（2025）

By Shaofeng Yu

In 2025, China’s titanium industry entered a new growth phase driven by synchronized demand expansion, structural upgrading, and enterprise integration, accelerating its transition from a resource-based supplier to a globally competitive, technology-led titanium powerhouse. 

China’s Titanium Industry in 2025: A Triple Resonance of Demand, Structure, and Enterprises

In 2025, China’s titanium industry was defined by a powerful convergence of demand expansion, structural upgrading, and enterprise consolidation. Driven by sustained policy support and synchronized growth across multiple downstream sectors, the industry successfully transitioned from a resource-driven model toward one centered on technological innovation and high-value manufacturing. Clear trends toward high-end applications, diversification, and green development have emerged, while a mature industrial ecosystem—characterized by leading champions, differentiated specialists, and full value-chain collaboration—has taken shape. China is steadily advancing from a “major titanium resource holder” to a global titanium industry powerhouse.

I. Overall Industry Landscape: Simultaneous Expansion in Scale and Quality

Market Size Continues to Expand

In 2025, China’s titanium alloy market exceeded RMB 20 billion, achieving a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 15%. China’s share of the global titanium market rose to over 35%, firmly establishing the country as the primary engine of global industry growth. This expansion was underpinned not only by rigid demand from aerospace and deep-sea engineering, but also by multi-point breakthroughs in civilian markets such as consumer electronics and medical devices.

Deep Optimization of Industrial Structure

The share of high-end titanium alloys increased from 35% in 2024 to over 40% in 2025. Aerospace-grade alloys and high-strength titanium materials for deep-sea applications recorded particularly strong growth. Industry-wide intelligent manufacturing levels improved by roughly 30%, while leading enterprises such as Western Superconducting Technologies and Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) Materials maintained product qualification rates above 98%, with certain premium products reaching 99.5%, approaching international best-in-class standards.

Policy Support and Industry–Academia Collaboration

China’s 14th Five-Year Plan for advanced materials continued to provide strong tailwinds, accelerating intelligent manufacturing upgrades and key technology breakthroughs. Collaborative IP and R&D platforms—such as those between AVIC Materials and national research institutes, and between Tiangong International and Nanjing Tech University—successfully addressed critical bottlenecks in large-scale titanium ingot melting and precision casting. Overall technology commercialization efficiency improved by 25% year-on-year.

II. Core Growth Drivers: Multi-Sector Demand Expansion and Structural Upgrading

1. Aerospace: The Backbone of High-End Demand

The modernization of military aviation equipment, combined with the ramp-up of the C919 commercial aircraft, created dual momentum. In 2025, China’s aerospace titanium alloy consumption reached 120,000 tons, accounting for roughly one-third of global demand.

Western Superconducting, a core supplier of aerospace titanium bars and wires, reported RMB 3.34 billion in titanium alloy revenue, up 18% year-on-year, with its products widely used in next-generation fighter structures and aircraft engine components. AVIC Materials, through its acquisition of Zhenjiang Titanium Alloy, strengthened its precision casting capabilities. While short-term fluctuations affected finished aerospace components, its base materials business delivered RMB 607 million in revenue (+6.22% YoY), with gross margin rising to 34.39%, up 10.75 percentage points, reinforcing its role as a stable pillar of China’s aerospace titanium supply chain.

2. Deep-Sea and Marine Engineering: A Rapidly Rising Growth Engine

Under the national “Maritime Power” strategy, demand surged from UUVs (Unmanned Underwater Vehicles), offshore wind power, and deep-sea oil and gas exploration. Titanium alloys—valued for their corrosion resistance, high strength, and lightweight properties—became indispensable.

Demand for titanium alloy pipes in offshore wind power rose from 20,000 tons in 2024 to over 50,000 tons in 2025, while titanium usage in deep-sea pressure hulls and propulsion systems increased by 80% year-on-year. Jintian Titanium, an emerging leader in marine applications, delivered titanium alloy gas cylinders to major shipbuilding groups and successfully advanced R&D programs for pressure hulls and structural frames. Baoti Group maintained a market share exceeding 60% in deep-sea titanium materials and secured contracts worth RMB 1.2 billion, further consolidating its leadership.

3. Civilian Applications: From Niche to Scale

Medical Devices: Driven by aging demographics and domestic substitution, China’s medical-grade titanium alloy market surpassed RMB 2 billion, with annual growth exceeding 20%. Ti-6Al-4V remained dominant in orthopedic implants and cardiovascular devices. Western Superconducting and Jintian Titanium jointly captured over 40% of the domestic market with high-biocompatibility titanium wires.

Consumer Electronics: Ultra-thin, high-strength titanium frames became standard in flagship devices, forming a USD 1.5 billion annual market. Tiangong International, a national “Little Giant” enterprise, expanded high-end titanium wire capacity by 3,000 tons, achieving breakthroughs in 3D-printing titanium wire, now adopted by multiple global consumer electronics brands. BYD Electronics is accelerating large-scale adoption of titanium structural components, with a renewed upgrade cycle expected from 2026.

New Energy Vehicles: Lightweighting trends drove the commercialization of high-strength alloys such as Ti-35, with an estimated 30,000 tons per year demand gap over the next three years. Leading automakers established long-term supply partnerships with Western Superconducting and Baoti Group, gradually increasing titanium penetration in battery packs and chassis components.

III. Corporate Landscape: Leaders Consolidate, Specialists Break Through

1. Industry Leaders: Full-Chain Integration and Synergy

Western Superconducting continued its “superconducting materials + titanium alloys + superalloys” three-engine strategy. In 2025 H1, all segments recorded growth, with titanium alloy sales projected to reach 8,500 tons for the year. Superconducting material revenue exceeded RMB 1.8 billion, benefiting from demand in nuclear fusion and semiconductor equipment, setting a benchmark for multi-segment synergy.

AVIC Materials completed a RMB 5.4 billion acquisition of Zhenjiang Titanium Alloy (77% stake), strengthening its precision casting and powder superalloy capabilities. The acquisition of six high-temperature alloy master alloy IP portfolios further reinforced technical barriers. In 2025 H1, gross margin reached 31.30%, with outstanding contracts totaling RMB 1.56 billion, providing strong earnings visibility.

2. Specialized Players: Deep Penetration in Niche Segments

Jintian Titanium achieved mass production of over 20 alloy grades, including a domestic first in ultra-high strength–toughness titanium alloys. Aerospace clients accounted for 78.96% of revenue, while progress in civil aviation—particularly the C919 program—accelerated. Net profit is expected to reach RMB 170 million in 2025 (+11.8% YoY).

Tiangong International focused on consumer electronics and additive manufacturing. Its titanium wire business generated RMB 586 million in revenue with a 41.19% gross margin. Upon full ramp-up, its fundraising projects will add 1,000 tons/year of titanium powder capacity, positioning the company as a hidden champion in consumer-grade titanium materials.

IV. Challenges and Strategic Directions

Key Challenges

• Cost Volatility: Sponge titanium prices fell 24.39% YoY in 2024, providing short-term margin relief but long-term uncertainty. Certain high-end products—such as titanium sputtering targets and single-crystal titanium alloys—still rely on imports.
  
  

• Green Transition and Recycling: Titanium melting and forging remain energy-intensive. Recycling rates of titanium scrap are around 30%, well below the international benchmark of 50%.
  
  

Future Trends

• Continued High-End Focus: Demand for high-purity targets, deep-sea corrosion-resistant alloys, and aero-engine titanium alloys will grow alongside 5G, semiconductor, and advanced equipment upgrades. Leading firms maintain R&D intensity above 7% of revenue.
  
  

• Green Manufacturing: Hydrogen metallurgy and short-process melting are gaining traction. AVIC Materials is advancing recycled titanium utilization via EB + VAR processes, while Tiangong International integrates ESG principles to reduce costs and emissions.
  
  

• International Expansion: Supported by the Belt and Road Initiative, exports to Southeast Asia and the Middle East are expected to reach 25% of total output. Baoti Group and Western Superconducting have entered the Boeing and Airbus supply chains, steadily expanding global market share.

V. Conclusion: Core Logic and Outlook for High-Quality Growth

By 2025, China’s titanium industry has established a virtuous cycle driven by demand pull, technological innovation, and enterprise collaboration. Aerospace and deep-sea engineering provide a solid growth foundation, while civilian markets unlock long-term upside. Through innovation, asset integration, and capacity expansion, Chinese enterprises are building durable competitive advantages.

Looking ahead, sustained breakthroughs in high-end technologies, stabilization of raw material supply chains, and the development of efficient recycling systems will be essential for transitioning from scale-driven growth to quality-led development. With continued policy support and deepening downstream demand, China’s titanium industry is well positioned to assume a more central role in the global market and serve as a cornerstone of high-quality development in advanced materials.