Ohio-based ferro-alloys producer Galt Alloys is seeking to have ferro-titanium added to Section 232 national security tariffs on steel imports, arguing that the White House's push to protect US manufacturing warrants the alloy's inclusion.
The company submitted a formal request in May to the US Commerce Department to have ferro-titanium considered under the steel derivatives designation, saying that imports of ferro-titanium are "depressing domestic production" and "subsequent market prices".
Galt, in its petition, added that the US does not need to rely on ferro-titanium imports to satisfy local consumption, as the domestic industry — comprised of Galt and Michigan-based AmeriTi — has enough output capacity to meet the US steel industry's annual requirements.
The petition explicitly named Canada, Estonia, Latvia and the UK among the countries from which ferro-titanium shipments have limited Galt's "ability to expand our domestic production capabilities or remain profitable".
The US imported 2,022 metric tonnes (t) of ferro-titanium in 2024, with those four nations comprising 94pc of the total. Overall shipments were down by 50pc from 2021, which is the year that Galt used as a reference in its request.
Ferro-titanium that enters the US primarily comes in powdered form, which is considered a premium product over lump because of the extra processing costs associated with sizing down the alloy to customers' specifications.
Galt noted that domestic prices have fallen to "untenable levels", adding that US prices still remain at a "significant premium over prices obtainable in Europe and Asia".
Some overseas alloy manufacturers have decried the idea that they were unfairly "dumping" the alloy, with Latvian producer LLR saying it does not expect any "specific measurements will be taken" against ferro-titanium.
"Our material is strategically critical for US steel manufacturers, and it is in their interest to have competitive offshore sources," Marc Gutschy, director of titanium at LLR, told Argus.
Argus last assessed North American ferro-titanium prices at $2.65-2.90/lb fob warehouse, representing a 9.4pc decrease from the start of 2025. European alloy prices — which do not factor in powder — have declined by 13pc to $5.10-5.40/kg ($2.31-2.45/lb) in the same timeframe.
The cost to import ferro-titanium to the US could potentially rise by 50pc if the alloy is added to Section 232 tariffs after US president Donald Trump doubled the rate on steel imports from 25pc on Friday. Currently, ferro-titanium only has a general duty rate of 3.7pc.
The alloy, thus far, has been spared from any of Trump's tariffs since his return to office. It was included on a list of exempted products from his widespread "Liberation Day" measures, while ferro-titanium also is covered under the US-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) free trade agreement.
It remains to be seen how successful Galt — with the planned support of AmeriTi — will be in its pursuit of having ferro-titanium included as a derivative. The alloy, which is comprised of 70pc titanium with iron as the balance, is used in steel manufacturing to help remove impurities by acting as a deoxidizer and desulfurizer.
Still, the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security told Argus the definition of "derivative" was left vague, saying that any inclusion request would be considered if a compelling case is made.
Interested stakeholders have until 4 June to comment on Galt's submission.
