We report a novel process to produce metallic titanium from titanium dioxide.the raw material typically used in the conventional production of titanium metal-via a titanium nitride (TiN) intermediate. TiN is more easily reacted than titanium oxides such as titanium monoxide and titanium dioxide, and shows thermodynamic reactivity equivalent to titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4), which is used industrially as an intermediate in the conventional metallic titanium manufacturing process. The thermal decomposition temperature of TiN (similar to 3500 K), determined from a thermodynamic database, is also significantly lower than those of the oxides (similar to 5300 K) and TiCl4 (similar to 6200 K); thus, it is suitable for use in the available temperature range of an electric arc furnace (similar to 4000 K). Here, we demonstrate the use of TiN as an intermediate for the manufacture of metallic titanium by thermolysis using the arc melting method.