Titanium is increasingly important across industries such as aerospace, defense, medical, and nuclear due to its exceptional strength-to-density ratio, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. It is used in aircraft structures (e.g. 70 tons in the Airbus A380), medical implants, and widely as titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigment in paints, plastics, and coatings. Titanium production includes mining ores/concentrates and manufacturing metal alloys, with titanium sponge serving as a key intermediate product. The global titanium market is projected to reach USD 52 billion by 2030, with titanium powder growing rapidly at an annual rate of nearly 15%. Only seven countries currently produce titanium sponge, dominated by China and Russia (70% of global output). The EU is highly dependent on imports—especially from Russia—creating supply vulnerabilities for strategic sectors like aerospace and healthcare.
Additive manufacturing has increased demand for high‑quality, cost‑effective titanium powders. However, the conventional Kroll + EIGA production route is complex, energy‑intensive, and carbon‑intensive. As environmental regulations tighten, the need for low‑carbon or carbon‑free titanium production technologies becomes urgent.
The REPTiS project, in partnership with Ukrainian collaborators, introduces the patented Velta Ti Process (2022), a novel, more sustainable method that converts Ilmenite ore directly into titanium powder. This process aims to supply the EU with responsibly produced titanium and valuable by‑products for industries such as agriculture, construction, and paints. REPTiS supports EU priorities by reducing raw material dependence, enhancing supply chain resilience, and aligning with sustainability strategies like the Zero Pollution Action Plan. It will also generate new life cycle inventory data and carry out environmental footprint studies to assess impacts such as carbon emissions, energy use, and waste management. Overall, REPTiS aims to develop sustainable, low‑impact titanium production from Ukrainian Ilmenite mining to powder manufacturing, contributing to EU climate neutrality and strengthening strategic autonomy in critical raw materials.
Global objective: Offer a sustainable and energy efficient solution for responsible extraction and processing of Titanium together with other Primary Raw Materials from strategic partner country Ukraine to supply EU industrial value chains and strategic sectors with a net zero-waste approach
