International.
Market analyst Ceresana conducted a study on the global titanium dioxide market along the value chain.
Ilmenite (pictured) was by far the most important feedstock for titanium dioxide production in 2015 with an amount of more than 11.2 million tons. Ilmenite has a titanium dioxide content variable between 38% and 60%. The content of natural and synthetic rutile is between 93% and 96% and titanium slag between 81% and 95%.
In 2015, nearly 8.7 million tons of pure titanium dioxide were manufactured worldwide. More than two-thirds of it was processed into pigments. For other end products, such as technically pure titanium, electrical conductors and chemical intermediates, approximately 11% was used. About 28% was used for further refinement to synthetic rutile and titanium slag.
The raw material for the production of titanium dioxide originates in very few countries, such as South Africa, Sierra Leone and Saudi Arabia. On the other hand, demand is determined by processors in Asia-Pacific, North America and Western Europe. The most important sales market, with a share of more than 56%, is the processing in paints and varnishes. Application areas for plastics, paper and other pigment applications, such as food and sunscreen, rank second to fourth.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
