Titanium Dioxide Market Challenges and Growth Points

Under the dual challenges of global trade barriers and cost pressures, China's titanium dioxide export market is showing an "eastward expansion and westward retreat" pattern, with emerging markets becoming new growth poles. From January to July 2025, China's total titanium dioxide exports were approximately 1.0514 million tons, a year-on-year decrease of 7.14%. Based on the trend of 134,800 tons exported in July, a month-on-month increase of 2.19%, the total export volume for the first eight months is estimated to be between 1.18 million and 1.2 million tons. The export pattern has shown significant changes: emerging markets such as India, Vietnam, and Turkey are growing rapidly, while the traditional EU market has shrunk significantly due to trade barriers.

Export Market Pattern:

Data from the first seven months shows a significant change in the distribution of China's titanium dioxide export destinations. India continues to maintain its position as my country's largest export market for titanium dioxide. Exports from India in January and February 2025 reached 63,600 tons, accounting for 20.13% of total exports, a year-on-year increase of 62.24%. Emerging markets such as Vietnam and Turkey are growing rapidly. July data shows that Vietnam has become China's second-largest export market for titanium dioxide, with Turkey also ranking high. The EU market has shrunk significantly. Affected by anti-dumping duties (0.25–0.74 euros/kg), China's exports to Belgium in January-February 2025 decreased to 5,800 tons from 22,300 tons in the same period last year, dropping from second to fifteenth place.

Price Trend Analysis:

The titanium dioxide industry experienced several price adjustments in 2025. Currently, rutile titanium dioxide is priced at 13,500-14,500 yuan/ton, anatase at 11,900-12,900 yuan/ton, and chloride process at 13,300-16,500 yuan/ton. Cost pressures continue to rise. Titanium concentrate prices remain high, with 46% grade titanium ore priced at 1,750-1,900 yuan/ton; sulfuric acid prices are also rising. Currently, the price spread between titanium dioxide, titanium concentrate, and sulfuric acid is at a historical low, and most domestic titanium dioxide companies are operating at a loss.

Future Outlook:

Despite challenges such as increasing trade barriers, including India's imposition of anti-dumping duties of $460-681/ton on Chinese titanium dioxide starting February 12, 2025, opportunities still exist for Chinese titanium dioxide exports. The recent ruling by the European Court of Justice to remove the carcinogenic classification of titanium dioxide (titanium dioxide) provides Chinese titanium dioxide companies with an opportunity to re-enter the EU market. Companies are also actively exploring emerging markets in Southeast Asia and the Middle East to reduce dependence on a single market. Simultaneously, they are strengthening regional cooperation, leveraging the Belt and Road Initiative to deepen trade facilitation cooperation with countries such as Turkey and the UAE. In the future, Chinese titanium dioxide companies need to continue promoting market diversification strategies, upgrading product structures, and improving international market competitiveness. Chinese titanium dioxide exports will continue on a transformative path full of challenges and opportunities: looking eastward, moving towards emerging markets, upgrading to high-end products, and climbing the global value chain.