Is white dangerous? Titanium dioxide, the brightest and most commonly used of all known pigments, is controversial: In the EU, the colorant E171 is considered potentially carcinogenic and is no longer allowed to be used in food products as of August 2022. In the United Kingdom, however, titanium dioxide remains an approved food additive. In many countries, the use of titanium dioxide in toothpaste, sunscreen, cosmetics and medication is being scrutinized. At the same time, new application areas are opening up for the nanomaterial, such as UV protection, solar cells, exhaust gas catalysts and hydrogen production.

Raw materials for Titanium Dioxide

“Titanium dioxide” is an umbrella term that encompasses ilmenite, natural and synthetic rutile and titanium slag. All these materials contain different shares of titanium dioxide, depending on product type and country of origin. Titanium dioxide is mainly gained from the minerals ilmenite and rutile. Ilmenite can be found in ore deposits or in sand containing heavy metals. Natural rutile mainly forms through the crystallization of magma, or by the transformation of titanium-bearing sediments or magmatite. Synthetic rutile as well as titanium slag are won from ilmenite. In 2020, more than 16 million tonnes of ilmenite, rutile, and titanium slag were processed around the world. Around 59% of this volume was processed directly into pigments. 6 % was used for other end products, such as technically pure titanium, electrical conductors, and chemical intermediates. The remainder, about 35%, was used for further refining into synthetic rutile and titanium slag. Titanium is especially needed for the alloying of steel. The raw materials for the production of titanium dioxide come from few countries, such as South Africa, Sierra Leone, and Saudi Arabia.

Colors are Main Application Area for Titanium Dioxide

Titanium dioxide is the most important white pigment. It is UV resistant and has the highest refractive index. Ceresana’s new titanium dioxide market study analyzes the global market for TiO2 pigments in detail. With a share of more than 56%, the application area paints and coatings is the most important sales market: Titanium dioxide can replace previously used, highly toxic lead colors. Further application areas include plastics, paper, and textiles. Titanium dioxide is also needed for the manufacture of glass, ceramics, and catalysts. In 2020, the industrial sector in Asia-Pacific accounted for nearly 49% of global demand, closely followed by North America with a share of 18%, and Western Europe with a share of 14.4%.

Current Market Data About Titanium Dioxide

Chapter 1 offers an analysis of the world market for titanium dioxide raw materials: ranging from the naturally occurring source materials ilmenite and rutile, the intermediates titanium slag and synthetic rutile, to their respective areas of application. This chapter offers information regarding revenues, demand, and production according to each product type. Additionally, demand for raw materials is divided into the areas pigment production, other applications, and those quantities that are further refined into intermediate products such as titanium slag and synthetic rutile.
Chapter 2 examines the most important application area of titanium dioxide: white pigments. Current data regarding the global development of revenues, demand, individual sales markets, and production are supplemented by forecasts for the titanium dioxide market up to the year 2030.
Chapter 3 offers information regarding the markets for titanium dioxide in the 16 most important countries. In addition to import, export, supply and demand, the application of TiO2 pigments in each sales market is analyzed: paints and coatings, paper, plastics, and other applications.
Chapter 4 contains company profiles of the most important titanium dioxide manufacturers, i.e., the producers of titanium dioxide pigments, ilmenite, natural and synthetic rutile, and titanium slag. The useful index is structured according to contact data, revenues, profits, product palette, production sites, capacities, and a brief company profile. Detailed profiles are offered for 54 manufacturers.
Further information about the Market Study "Titanium Dioxide" (4th edition): https://www.ceresana.com/en/market-studies/chemicals/titanium-dioxide/


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As one of the world's leading market research institutes, Ceresana specializes in the chemicals, plastics, packaging and industrial goods sectors, with a focus on automotive / mobility. Since 2002, companies have benefited from high-quality industry analyses and forecasts. Over 200 market studies provide more than 10,000 clients around the world with the knowledge base for sustainable success.
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