Dès décembre 13, 2024, the average domestic titane éponge price in China has plummeted to 43.5 yuans/kg, marking the lowest level since 2011, according to Choice data. Market analysts attribute this decline to sluggish demand across key sectors such as aerospace, aviation, and chemical industries. En plus, overexpansion by titanium producers has further exacerbated the supply-demand imbalance, leading to excess supply. Mysteel forecasts that sponge titanium production capacity will exceed 330,000 tons by the end of 2024—a 30.95% year-on-year increase—with potential future capacity climbing to 607,000 tons.
Amid dwindling demand and falling prices, the titanium market faces a critical turning point. If traditional downstream applications fail to absorb the surplus capacity, exploring new application areas is crucial for market revival. Beyond established sectors like aerospace and medical implants, titanium alloys are gaining traction in consumer electronics, particularly in 3C products like smartphones and wearables.
The Rising Role of Titanium in Consumer Electronics
The adoption of titanium alloys in high-end smartphones was pioneered by Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro series. Following Apple’s lead, brands like Xiaomi, Huawei, and Honor have incorporated titanium alloys into flagship products. Titanium is now commonly used in smartphone frames, folding screen hinges, and watch casings.
Par 2027, the global market for alliage de titane smartphone frames is projected to reach 43.2 billion yuan, with an annual demand of 7,000 tons. This is expected to drive overall industry growth by approximately 3%.
3D Printing: Overcoming Cost Barriers
Despite titanium’s growing appeal, high production costs remain a significant barrier to widespread adoption. Traditional CNC machining processes result in significant material waste, pushing up manufacturing costs. The maturation of 3D printing technology offers a viable solution to these challenges. By enabling precise production of complex titanium alloy components, 3D printing reduces material waste and boosts efficiency, paving the way for broader application of titanium materials.
3D Printing in Action: The Billion-Yuan 3C Market
The 3D printing of titanium alloy components has already made headway in the consumer electronics market. For example, Honor’s Magic V2 folding phone, launched in July 2023, featured 3D-printed titanium alloy hinge covers. This technology was carried over to the Magic Vs3, released later in the year. With over 1.5 million units of the Magic V2 sold, 3D printing has demonstrated its potential for large-scale application in the smartphone industry.
According to CITIC Securities, the market for 3D-printed titanium alloy folding phone hinge covers could grow from 400 million yuan in 2023 à 1.8 billion yuan by 2027, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 45.6%.
Similarly, in the smartwatch segment, renowned analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed that the second-generation Apple Watch Ultra, slated for release in 2024, will adopt 3D-printed titanium components. While initial attempts at mass production faced challenges, recent advancements have significantly improved production efficiency, signaling a turning point for titanium 3D printing in wearables.
Titanium 3D Printing in Smartphones: A Game-Changer?
Apple is also reportedly exploring 3D printing for smartphone frames. CITIC Securities predicts that even a modest initial adoption rate—30% for Apple Watch Ultra casings and 10% for iPhone Pro frames—could create a market opportunity worth 3.1 billion yuan. In the long term, adoption rates of 90% for casings and 30% for frames could expand this market to 9.3 billion yuan.
Falling Material Costs Fuel Adoption
The declining cost of titanium alloy powder has been a critical enabler for the growth of 3D printing. A decade ago, titanium powder cost between 1,000 and 2,000 yuans/kg. By early 2023, prices had fallen to 500–700 yuan/kg, with some reaching as low as 300–400 yuan/kg.
Cependant, the real breakthroughs in cost reduction lie in improving 3D printing processes and post-production techniques. According to Hua Fu Securities, post-processing currently accounts for the majority of the costs in manufacturing 3D-printed components. Par exemple, post-processing costs for folding phone hinges, smartphone frames, and watch casings are 100 yuan, 350 yuan, and 110 yuan per unit, respectively, far exceeding the raw material costs.
2025 and Beyond: The Road Ahead
As material prices continue to decline and 3D printing technology evolves, the consumer electronics sector could unlock the full potential of titanium alloys. Par 2025, titanium 3D printing is expected to achieve further breakthroughs in cost and scalability, solidifying its position as a flagship application for metal 3D printing in the civilian market.
Could titanium 3D printing reshape the industry? With a market potential exceeding 100 billion yuan, the future seems promising.