Oremet-Wah Chang is closing its 15 million lb/year titanium sponge plant in Albany, Ore., leaving Titanium Metals Corp. of Denver, as the only domestic sponge producer.

Oremet-Wah Chang will continue to produce ingot, slab and mill products from the substantial quantities of low-priced titanium sponge available for purchase on the open market, according to parent Allegheny Technologies Inc. of Pittsburgh. "The titanium sponge facility shutdown action is a result of market conditions in the titanium industry and the cost-effective availability of sponge," says Allegheny Technologies.

Meanwhile, Oremet-Wah Chang plans a $20-million capital improvement program aimed at enlarging its melting and forging capabilities.