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Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is the standard white pigment used principally in paints, paper and plastics. It is the most important pigment in the world, accounting for approximately 70% of total volume. Titanium dioxide is made by processing a variety of titanium-containing minerals such as ilmenite and rutile.
The most important commercial sources of titanium minerals are alluvial or beach sand deposits, which occur along the coastlines of Australia, India, South Africa and the United States. Other commercial sources include rock ilmenite deposits; cemented sand deposits (sandstone); and the mining of other minerals, such as tin, gold and oil-bearing sands, which produce minor amounts of titanium minerals or zircon as a by-product.
The following pie chart shows world consumption of titanium dioxide:
The major consuming industries for TiO2 pigments are mature sectors in the developed world: surface coatings, paper and paperboard, and plastics. Therefore, consumption of TiO2 tends to parallel general economic trends. Paint and coating applications account for the largest world share, with plastics and paper accounting for most of the rest.
The drive toward consolidation is forcing the titanium dioxide industry to adopt a more global focus, but also to deal with larger customers that wield greater power. In 1980, the top ten coatings producers accounted for 20% of the total world market; in 2008, the top ten producers accounted for 50% of the market. The coatings companies that provide architectural coatings, in turn, are pressured by the “big boxes” (e.g., Home Depot, Lowe’s, and other large warehouse-type retailers) to minimize prices.
Trade patterns changed significantly in the 1990s. In 1990, the Asia Pacific area imported 30% of its titanium dioxide requirements and was more in balance until recent years when imports to China doubled during 2001–2004. Western Europe was a major exporter in 1990, with net exports accounting for 20% of production, but net exports now account for 5% of production. |
