Nippon Steel Corp and Toho Titanium Co said that they have developed technology that shortens the manufacturing time for titanium sheet by around 20%. The new technology skips steps in the production of titanium slabs.

The new process cuts out one step in the production of an intermediary base material. The technology is the first of its kind in the world, according to the companies. Titanium sheet is used in such products as seawater desalination units and autoparts.

When titanium materials are melted by an electron gun and cast into a slab, the new technology helps prevent abnormalities and surface scratches that hinder the following stage of hot rolling. This method paves the way for making the intermediary goods directly from raw materials, shaving 20% off the time to turn out finished products. It also reduces the amount of intermediary products that need to be kept in inventory.

Toho Titanium will produce the intermediary goods at its Yahata plant in Kyushu and supply all output to Nippon Steel's Hirohata steelworks in Hyogo Prefecture for the time being.

(The Nikkei July 6 morning edition)