The ups and downs and future of titanium and zirconium industry in Ukraine

In the global economic landscape, Ukraine's United Mining and Chemical Company (UMCC) has always attracted attention for its unique position. As the largest titanium-zirconium ore mining and titanium smelting enterprise in Europe, UMCC not only holds high-quality vein resources, but also has one of the top ten mineral processing technology levels in the world. However, in recent years, this "industrial pearl" of Ukraine has gone through ups and downs, and its fate is sad. UMCC in crisis After the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out in 2022, UMCC was once in trouble and stopped normal operations. At that time, more than 54000 tons of ilmenite selected ore and 100000 tons of coarse ore were piled up in its storage facilities. These resources were undoubtedly valuable, but under the double blow of economic pressure and market fluctuations, UMCC's vitality was in jeopardy. The turning point is coming. However, just as UMCC was at stake, the sudden change in the international situation brought about a turning point. With the sanctions imposed by Western countries on Russian titanium alloy companies, Russia's titanium alloy can no longer be supplied to Western countries, which has had a greater impact on the production capacity of NATO's military aviation industry. Against this background, UMCC's ilmenite selected ores and coarse ores have become scarce resources, and their status has suddenly changed from "miserable business" to "life-saving straw". Cooperation and rebirth Entering 2023, UMCC has reached a cooperation agreement with Comus of the United States to supply Comus with 80,000 tons of ilmenite selected ore every year, which will be smelted into titanium plates in the United States. This cooperation not only brings new vitality to UMCC, but also makes it one of the few "high-tech companies" in Ukraine. Suspected sales However, just as UMCC was gradually recovering, news came from the Ukraine government that it would be sold. This news attracted widespread attention and discussion. If Ukraine's attempt to sell UMCC in 2021 was out of helplessness and was run by Russian titanium alloy companies to prevent it from continuing operations, then Ukraine's current sale of UMCC seems incomprehensible.