Market Report

1. Titanium Dioxide (TiO₂) Market Analysis

• China’s TiO₂ market showed a clear upward pricing shift this week as upstream cost pressures intensified, particularly from sulfuric acid and ilmenite, pushing producers into deeper negative margins.
• As of November 27, domestic sulfuric acid spot prices continued to rise, with Hunan prices for 98% acid reaching 800–900 RMB/ton and Guangdong prices at 880–950 RMB/ton.
• In response, 14 major TiO₂ producers in China simultaneously announced price increases of $100/ton for both domestic and international markets, citing cost inflation and inventory depletion concerns.
• Despite weak downstream demand, cost-push forces are expected to support a firm pricing stance across the sector in the near term.

Product	Price Range (USD/MT)	Change vs Last Week
Rutile-grade TiO₂	$1,930 – $2,010	▲ $100
Anatase-grade TiO₂	$1,760 – $1,850	▲ $100

2. Titanium Dioxide Pigment Market Trends

• Sulfuric acid and ilmenite costs rose further this week, pushing sulfate-route TiO₂ producers into an increasingly unsustainable cost structure.
• 14 leading Chinese TiO₂ manufacturers have now announced synchronized price hikes of $100/ton, marking a significant industry-wide shift in pricing stance.
• Despite persistently weak demand in coatings and plastics sectors, the combined force of rising costs and year-end inventory management has triggered this round of collective price adjustments.

3. Market Forecast

• Cost Support: Raw material cost pressure is expected to remain elevated, with refinery maintenance and fertilizer sector policy adjustments further tightening ilmenite and sulfuric acid supply.
• Supply-Side Dynamics: Output rates may fluctuate due to overhauls and environmental controls, offering temporary support to firm pricing.
• Demand Weakness: Downstream demand remains sluggish, especially from the chemical and architectural coatings segments, which may limit the magnitude of price gains.
• Short-Term Outlook: In the face of cost-push inflation and broad-based price increases by producers, TiO₂ prices are expected to stay strong or even rise modestly in December, barring a sharp demand deterioration.

• For more reports: TiO₂ Market Report