STATUS AND DIRECTIONS OF DEVELOPMENT OF DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN TRADE IN TITANIUM ORES AND CONCENTRATES IN UKRAINE

Abstract

Introduction. Titanium raw materials are gaining more and more importance in modern industrial technologies in mechanical engineering, the chemical industry, the medical field, and energy. Ukraine is involved in many global value-added chains, which makes it an important global player. Existing national production base of titanium products in Ukraine cannot be effectively used, mainly due to problems of technological obsolescence and institutional nature. Therefore, there is a need to determine the directions of expansion of domestic consumption of titanium ores and concentrates in order to increase the added value within the country and to assess the prospects of foreign trade in titanium ores and concentrates. The purpose of the article is to identify the main trends and features of trade in titanium ores and concentrates and to reveal opportunities for expanding domestic consumption and export of Ukrainian titanium raw materials in the conditions of favourable global environment. Materials and methods. To implement the goal, such methods were used: analysis and synthesis (to find out the key aspects of the development of the domestic and foreign market of titanium raw materials); comparative analysis (to assess the dynamics of domestic and foreign trade); statistical and economic analysis (to identify trends in the trade of titanium ores and concentrates of Ukraine); system approach and scientific generalization (to outline promising vectors for the development of trade in titanium ores and concentrates for Ukraine); graphic analysis (for visualization of analytical material). Results and discussion. The assessment of the trends in the sale of titanium raw materials in Ukraine was carried out, which demonstrated the industry's sensitivity to external shocks (pandemic, martial law). It was determined that more than 70% of titanium ores and concentrates are exported, and the existing metalworking and chemical industries consume only a small share of raw materials. Currently, the total volume of sales for domestic consumption of titanium raw materials is an average of 230,000 tons per year. The directions of internal processing of titanium ores and concentrates have been determined. The most important are aircraft construction and the defense industry. The dynamics of export shows the growth of global demand for titanium raw materials, and the import reveals its sporadic nature. The groups and composition of key importers of Ukrainian titanium concentrates were identified. The potential increase in the amount of revenues from the increase in the export potential of titanium raw materials processing products is estimated. Emergent directions for the export potential development have been identified which are the green energy (solar batteries), sustainable nuclear energy and 3D printing. Conclusions. The volumes of domestic trade in titanium ores and concentrates in Ukraine are insignificant and make up less than a third of the total volume of sales, the rest is exported. Calculations show that revenues from export sales can grow 3 times and more due to the in-depth processing of titanium raw materials inside the country. The directions for the development of domestic trade in titanium raw materials are the development of national production through import substitution, defense orders and substitution of Russian titanium on the product market for global aircraft construction corporations. Titanium is recognized as a strategic resource in many countries, and the dynamics of titanium product markets indicate that they will grow significantly in the next 10 years. This will make it possible to keep the export volumes of titanium raw materials for global enterprises of the chemical industry, as well as to develop titanium production for the global market.