ThyssenKrupp Stainless AG is transferring the activities of ThyssenKrupp Titanium GmbH to ThyssenKrupp VDM GmbH and combining them into a specialized high-performance materials unit. The Stainless group expects the reorganization to provide more growth opportunities for the titanium business. At present, titanium operations are carried out in Germany by ThyssenKrupp Titanium GmbH (Essen) and in Italy by ThyssenKrupp Titanium SpA (Terni), both of which are assigned to ThyssenKrupp Acciai Speciali Terni. The Essen plant melts titanium sponge and scrap into titanium ingots and slabs and processes them into billets, bars and sheet. Further processing to coil, tube and sheet takes place at the Terni facility, with key production steps being carried out by ThyssenKrupp Acciai Speciali Terni.

Under the reorganization, the worldwide sales operations of ThyssenKrupp Titanium, including the Milan sales office as well as the Essen production site, will be transferred to ThyssenKrupp VDM (Werdohl), which produces nickel alloys and high-alloy special stainless steels. ThyssenKrupp Acciai Speciali Terni will retain responsibility for the further processing operations in Terni. The merger will take effect on Oct. 1.