American Titanium plans breakthrough titanium manufacturing facility

American Titanium Works LLC (ATW) (www.amtiwks.com), headquartered in Chicago, Ill., plans to build a new integrated, world-class titanium manufacturing facility.

“We want to bring about the change in the industry not unlike the change Nucor Steel brought about 30 years ago in the steel industry,” American Titanium Works spokesman Scott Jackson said.

“The titanium industry is reaching a breakthrough in its evolution. There is a convergence of available new process technologies, developing market opportunities and emerging worldwide raw materials sources.”

American Titanium Works said that under one roof, uniquely efficient manufacturing activities will include an extensive solids and machine turnings scrap processing operation, raw material preparation and blending equipment, plasma arc melting and vacuum arc melting furnaces and a best-in-class 4-high rolling mill designed and purpose-built for rolling of alloyed and commercially pure titanium plate. A wide range of titanium conditioning and finishing equipment will be on site to ensure quality and reduce lead-times.

The facility will incorporate proprietary technologies and process innovations enabling American Titanium Works to convert a wide variety of inputs into alloyed and commercially pure ingots, rounds and slabs of various sizes. Rolled product will be available from 0.1875 in. to 4.0 in. in thickness, widths up to 96 in. and lengths in excess of 240 in. American Titanium Works also will offer solids and turnings scrap processing, melting and rolling services each on a toll basis.

At full capacity the facility expects to employ more than 250 people, with the potential for further facility expansion.

American Titanium Works has selected SMS Demag (www.sms.demag.com) as its rolling equipment supplier. Co-advisors West LB AG and Mizuho Corporate Bank Ltd are arranging financing. McCallum Sweeney Consulting (www. mccallumsweeney.com) has been retained to assist with site selection.

American Titanium Works is targeting the defense, industrial, commercial, consumer and emerging markets for titanium.