Titan-bearing sands and ores found in nature are processed into what is known as titanium sponge. This material consists of porous titanium fragments that are subsequently melted into an ingot, comparable to a metal slab used for further processing.

It is worth noting that high-quality titanium often undergoes the melting process several times. In commercial terminology, this is referred to as double-melted or multiple-melted titanium and is an important indicator of material quality.

Significant titanium ore deposits can be found in countries such as China, the United States, Canada, and throughout parts of Europe, particularly in Scandinavia.

Titanium-bearing minerals include:

• Anatase (TiO₂)

• Brookite (TiO₂)

• Ilmenite (FeO · TiO₂)

• Perovskite (CaO · TiO₂)

• Pyrophanite (MnO · TiO₂)

• Rutile (TiO₂)

• Sphene (CaO · TiO₂ · SiO₂)

• Titanite (CaO · TiO₂ · SiO₂)

Most titanium is produced from rutile because it naturally occurs as nearly pure titanium dioxide (TiO₂). In contrast, minerals such as ilmenite contain significant amounts of iron, which must first be separated from the titanium. Although this can be achieved through magnetic separation, the process is generally used only in regions where rutile is not readily available.

At elevated temperatures, titanium exhibits a strong affinity for oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen. As a result, strict process controls and protective manufacturing environments are required throughout both production and subsequent processing stages.

These demanding manufacturing requirements, combined with lengthy and energy-intensive production processes, are among the primary reasons why titanium remains a premium engineering material and commands a higher raw material price than many conventional metals.