TiO₂ Price Forecast: Oversupply and Weak Demand Keep China Prices Under Pressure (2026-07-10 to 2026-07-17)

Buyer Summary: The China TiO₂ Market remained under pressure as weak downstream demand, sufficient supply, and elevated inventories continued to weigh on transactions. Falling ilmenite prices offered producers limited cost relief, while high sulfuric acid costs restricted the scope for deeper price reductions. Buyers may continue to receive differentiated and negotiable quotations in the near term.

1. Titanium Dioxide (TiO₂) Market Analysis

• Downstream demand remained weak while overall TiO₂ supply stayed sufficient. A noticeable increase in chloride-process TiO₂ output intensified competition, and anatase prices declined further during the week.
• Some sulfate-process plants in Panzhihua and Shandong reduced or suspended production because of market conditions and equipment factors. However, most other producers continued operating at full rates, leaving the market oversupplied and inventories under pressure.
• Leading titanium dioxide manufacturers kept their quotations unchanged, while other producers remained cautious as some transaction prices approached production cost levels. Most orders continued to be negotiated case by case.
• Export orders at major TiO₂ producers remained relatively healthy and helped ease part of the domestic shipment pressure, but they were not sufficient to reverse the weak overall market trend.

Product	Price Index (26nd Week, 2026)
Anatase	131-130
Rutile	133-132

Price Index Methodology: The Price Index is calculated based on the average prices of the top 10 producers in China, with the base value set at 100 as of January 1, 2026.

2. Titanium Dioxide Pigment Market Trends

• Domestic ilmenite prices declined by approximately USD 7/ton during the week as weak TiO₂ demand reduced raw material purchasing activity. Lower ilmenite costs provided limited relief to sulfate-process producers, but the broader production cost burden remained high.
• Imported ilmenite prices remained around USD 220–230/ton CIF for Mozambique material, USD 200–215/ton FOB for Vietnam B-grade material, and USD 220–240/ton CIF for Australian material.
• Sulfuric acid prices remained elevated but continued to differ by region. Current prices are approximately USD 232–295/ton for 98% smelting acid ex-works in Shandong, USD 263–293/ton in Fujian, and USD 349–363/ton for 98% sulfur-based acid ex-works in Sichuan.
• High sulfur and pyrite costs, together with low operating rates at some sulfur-based acid plants, continued to support sulfuric acid prices. Regional adjustments remained limited, keeping production costs high for TiO₂ manufacturers despite falling ilmenite prices.

3. Market Forecast

• The near-term TiO₂ Price Forecast remains weak as slow demand, abundant supply, and inventory pressure are expected to continue weighing on market transactions.
• Further price declines may be limited because leading manufacturers are maintaining quotations and some lower-priced products are already close to production cost levels.
• Production reductions at selected sulfate-process plants could provide limited supply relief, but the impact may remain insufficient while most other producers continue operating at high rates.
• For buyers, the market may continue to offer favorable negotiation opportunities. However, quotations are likely to remain highly differentiated according to product route, producer inventory, cost structure, and export order position.

Market Notice: Due to high market volatility, prices are subject to frequent adjustments. For the most accurate and up-to-the-minute data, please consult info@tinoxchem.de.

• For more reports: TiO₂ Market Report