NEWS

Indian Court Lifts Anti-Dumping Duty on Titanium Dioxide

On September 22, 2025, the Indian titanium dioxide (TiO2) market received a significant update when the Calcutta High Court overturned the government's decision to impose anti-dumping duties on titanium dioxide imports from China. The case was brought by the Indian Paints Association, which represents nearly 90% of the country's coatings industry. They argued that many of the titanium dioxide grades under investigation, particularly rutile sulfate and certain high-performance types, are not produced in India. They argued that imposing duties on these grades would only increase manufacturers' costs without protecting domestic producers. The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) had earlier conducted an investigation and issued its final findings on February 12, 2025, recommending the imposition of anti-dumping duties. The government subsequently issued a notification imposing the duties on May 10, 2025. However, the court found serious procedural lapses: confidential information was admitted without a proper non-confidential summary, depriving interested parties of an opportunity to respond fairly. The court stated that this violated natural justice and the provisions of Indian tariff law.

"China’s Leather Exports Continue Decline While Titanium Ore Imports Shift: Trade Surplus Narrows from January–August 2025"

From January to August 2025, the year-on-year decline in the national leather industry's exports widened, while the year-on-year contraction in imports continued to narrow.

Analysis of Titanium Products Import and Export Data – July 2025

In July 2025, China imported approximately 7,307.17 metric tons of titanium dioxide, representing a year-on-year decrease of 19.60% but a month-on-month increase of 49.48%. From January to July 2025, cumulative titanium dioxide imports totaled around 47,000 metric tons, down 17.16% year-on-year, with a reduction of approximately 9,700 tons.

Titanium Dioxide Officially Enters the Era of "High Quality and Low Price"

As July came to a close, the titanium dioxide market experienced slight price adjustments. These were mainly driven by a few manufacturers introducing new end-of-month settlement prices, with adjustments ranging from RMB 200 to 300 per ton. The price gaps among producers have widened slightly, though it is expected that major producers may also make pricing moves soon, which could lead to a narrowing of these differences again. A key factor contributing to this narrowing price gap is the issue of product homogenization, resulting in fierce competition across similar products. Smaller manufacturers and lesser-known brands are facing significant market pressure and displacement.

Hot Events in the Titanium Industry in the First Half of 2025

On January 9, the European Commission announced the final ruling on the anti-dumping investigation against Chinese titanium dioxide, officially imposing anti-dumping duties on Chinese titanium dioxide products. Except for titanium dioxide used in inks, which is excluded, titanium dioxide used in non-white coatings, food-grade, sunscreen, high-purity titanium dioxide, as well as anatase and chloride-process titanium dioxide are all included in the scope of products subject to anti-dumping duties. The collection method of anti-dumping duties has been changed from ad valorem in percentage form to specific duty, namely: Longbai Group 0.74 euros/kg, Anhui Jinxing Titanium Dioxide Group 0.25 euros/kg, other responding enterprises 0.64 euros/kg, and other non-responding enterprises 0.74 euros/kg. The provisional anti-dumping duties still need to be levied from the date of the preliminary ruling and cannot be reduced or exempted. It is not based on the shipment time but on the customs declaration time upon arrival at the port. There is no retrospective collection. EU importers are required to provide commercial invoices with specific declarations as required by the customs of each member state to apply the above anti-dumping duties. For the difference between the preliminary and final anti-dumping duties, the principle of "refunding more and not compensating for less" shall be adopted. Eligible new exporters can apply for the average tax rate later, etc.

China's titanium dioxide import and export data in June 2025

According to customs data, my country's titanium dioxide in June 2025 was 131,900 tons, a year-on-year decrease of 25.20% and a month-on-month decrease of 2.72%. Among them, 107,500 tons were exported by sulfuric acid method, a month-on-month decrease of 2.89%; the top three export countries were: India, Turkey, and Vietnam; 24,400 tons were exported by chlorination method, a month-on-month decrease of 2.00%, and the top three export countries were: India, South Korea, and Vietnam.

Three major positive factors in the titanium dioxide market (July 15-July 18)

In early July, the titanium dioxide price market once again entered a period of stability after the price adjustment. The latest price policies of various manufacturers have been finalized, ranging from 100-300 yuan/ton. A small number of manufacturers maintain the original price and remain stable, and the market situation is much clearer. The price market in July still maintains a weak downward trend, but the prices of important raw and auxiliary materials such as sulfuric acid remain high and still have a strong trend. The costs of titanium dioxide manufacturers are high. In fact, according to the current price level, a considerable number of manufacturers are already operating at a loss.

China's Titanium Dioxide Import and Export Data from January to May of 2025

According to customs data, China imported 7467.59 tons of titanium dioxide in May 2025, a year-on-year decrease of 17.78% and a month-on-month increase of 13.36%; of which 4232.19 tons of titanium dioxide were imported by chloride method and 3235.40 tons of titanium dioxide were imported by sulfuric acid method. From January to May 2025, the cumulative import of titanium dioxide was 34842.08 tons, a year-on-year decrease of 13.21%; of which 20047.69 tons of titanium dioxide were imported by chloride method, a year-on-year decrease of 31.08%, and 14794.3 tons of titanium dioxide were imported by sulfuric acid method. 9 tons, a year-on-year increase of 33.84%.

Price sensitive period + half-year sprint period, titanium dioxide market is complex

Mid-June has passed, and the titanium dioxide price market is still in a period of stability after weakness. Manufacturers without room for price adjustment have basically maintained stability, and those who can adjust prices have adjusted prices. The purpose is to keep the main large-scale manufacturers adjusting prices at the same frequency and grab a wave of rigid demand orders. Judging from the recent market operation, the space and motivation for manufacturers to continue to decline are insufficient, and there will not be much change in the short term. The lack of downward space is mainly reflected in the fact that the prices of raw materials titanium ore and sulfuric acid are still not obviously weak enough, and the cost pressure of manufacturers is not small. According to the current price level, most manufacturers are on the verge of loss or even upside down. Some manufacturers have joined the army of production restrictions or suspensions, and the overall operating rate of the production end has declined again. This is truly a life-and-death autumn.

Titanium dioxide prices have entered a stable phase and are safe to buy

June into the middle, titanium dioxide price market after repositioning, the producers according to their own actual situation are different degrees of adjustment, the overall direction to maintain the “high fall + low constant” trend, so far, June's titanium dioxide price market is basically set the tone of vulnerability, price adjustment after the market will not be changed for the time being, that is, once again, Into the stage of stabilization period.

Titanium dioxide market trend in June

At the end of May, the titanium dioxide price market remained weak, and the main price remained stable, but there were more and more tendencies that made the price market continue to weaken. In fact, the price market in May was the most special and alternative month in recent years. This was mainly because since the weak trend has been clear, some manufacturers still had room for bargaining for special orders.

India Imposes Five-Year "Sanctions" on Chinese Titanium Dioxide

It is reported that on May 10, 2025, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) under India's Ministry of Finance issued Notification No. 12/2025-Customs (ADD), accepting the affirmative final anti-dumping recommendations made by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) on February 12, 2025, regarding titanium dioxide originating in or imported from China. The decision imposes anti-dumping duties ranging from USD 460 to 681 per metric ton on the subject goods, effective for five years. The products involved fall under Indian Customs tariff items 28230010, 32061110, and 32061190. The measures take effect from the date of publication in the Official Gazette. Products exempted from these anti-dumping measures are listed in the annex.