NEWS

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.

Don't Fear, Don't Panic, Titanium Dioxide Can Be Purchased with Confidence

After the Labor Day holiday, the titanium dioxide market continued the weak trend seen in April. The price adjustments from major large-scale producers, which have been the focus of widespread attention, have mostly been announced, with changes generally ranging from 0 to 500 yuan per ton. Market prices remain largely similar to last week, with the majority holding steady and only minor adjustments elsewhere. Following the announcement of the latest pricing policies, new order volumes have slightly increased. However, profit margins on the supply side have been severely compressed, with some producers operating at minimal profits, break-even, or even losses. The small surge in demand for essential purchases typically occurs before a pricing window, while weak cycles follow afterward. Trading activity in May has already begun, and essential demand still exists.

Titanium dioxide price market analysis (4.21-4.25)

In late April, the titanium dioxide trading market was slightly weak, and a few manufacturers in the price market had a small decline. There were some low-price rumors during CHINAPLAS, and after the exhibition, The overall trading market atmosphere changed slightly, with a weakness of 100-500 RMB/ton. There are also two situations for customers: one is to meet rigid needs, because the early raw material reserves are relatively small, and the purchase plan is arranged immediately after the price is finalized; the other is that their own orders are weak, and they are just watching the price market and are not in a hurry to purchase. Compared with the previous wait-and-see situation, although the market situation is more complicated, after the latest price policies of a few manufacturers were introduced, the supply-side order volume increased slightly, but customers were more likely to suppress prices, and the overall demand atmosphere was still relatively weak. The peak season is almost a foregone conclusion. The first price inflection point of titanium dioxide will appear in 2025, and the weak market will start.

Downstream demand is the key to releasing titanium dioxide production capacity

Recently, at the 2025 Sulfur Industry Chain Spring Market Exchange Conference, the Titanium Dioxide Branch of the National Productivity Promotion Center made a wonderful analysis of the development status and future prospects of the titanium dioxide industry.

HYYCHEM: The logic of continuous rise in sulfuric acid pushes titanium dioxide prices to remain firm.

Mid-March has passed, and the mainstream price market of titanium dioxide is still in a period of stability. However, due to the continuous strong price increase of the main raw materials sulfur and sulfuric acid, and there is still room for upward movement, titanium dioxide manufacturers are more willing to increase prices, and this time the cost boost is stronger. According to common sense, the price fluctuation of titanium dioxide mainly depends on the supply and demand relationship, with the focus on demand, but this time the mood of expecting price increase has reached its limit, and it is difficult to take into account demand, and the supply side can no longer support it unilaterally.

China's Trade in Goods Import and Export Data, January-February 2025

In January-February 2025, the total value of China's import and export of trade in goods amounted to RMB 6.54 trillion, down 1.2% year-on-year. Among them, exports were 3.88 trillion yuan, up 3.4%; imports were 2.66 trillion yuan, down 7.3%.

Report on the Economic Operation of China's Coatings and Pigments Industry in 2024

In 2024, China's coating industry will deeply implement the new development concept, accelerate the construction of a new development pattern, steadily develop new-quality productivity, and firmly promote high-quality development. The green and low-carbon transformation is accelerated, the pace of digital upgrading is accelerated, and the economic operation is generally stable, steady progress and new breakthroughs have been made.

India Announces Final Ruling on Anti-Dumping Case Against Chinese Titanium Dioxide

Recently, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of India issued an announcement, making an affirmative final ruling on the anti-dumping investigation concerning titanium dioxide originating in or imported from China. It recommended imposing anti-dumping duties ranging from $460 to $681 per ton on the Chinese products involved, effective for a period of 5 years. The case covers products under Indian Customs Codes 28230010, as well as parts of products under 32061110 and 32061190.

Post-Holiday Titanium Dioxide Market Maintains Upward Momentum

As February begins and the market resumes after the Spring Festival holiday, titanium dioxide prices have largely remained firm, consistent with pre-holiday levels. During the holiday, the market saw little change, as most producers had already finalized their pricing policies before the holiday. With logistics operations mostly suspended, only a small portion of producers were in the process of delivering pre-holiday orders. As the holiday ends and logistics gradually resume, the delivery of these orders is expected to accelerate.