TiO₂ Price Forecast: Weak Demand Persists, but Further Declines May Be Limited (2026-07-24 to 2026-07-31)

Buyer Summary: The China TiO₂ Market remained weak after a leading manufacturer reduced its listed prices and several other producers followed with adjustments of approximately USD 44–73/ton. Poor downstream demand, growing inventories, and intense competition continued to affect transactions, but high sulfur and sulfuric acid costs may limit the scope for further broad reductions. Buyers are likely to continue receiving differentiated, case-by-case quotations.

1. Titanium Dioxide (TiO₂) Market Analysis

• After a leading titanium dioxide manufacturer lowered its listed prices, several other producers followed with reductions of approximately USD 44–73/ton, adding further pressure to the domestic market.
• Downstream demand and purchasing activity remained weak, while shipments were generally slow. Inventories continued to rise at some plants, prompting producers to control output and contributing to a decline in TiO₂ production during July.
• Competition in the chloride-process market remained intense, with prices also moving lower. The price gap between sulfate-process and chloride-process TiO₂ narrowed, increasing market differentiation.
• Although suppliers remained under inventory and shipment pressure, high production costs limited their ability to make substantial further reductions. Most transactions continued to be negotiated individually.

Product	Previous Week (27th Week, 2026)	Current Week (28th Week, 2026)	Weekly Change
Anatase	130	127	-3
Rutile	132	129	-3

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 continued to soften as reduced TiO₂ production lowered raw material demand. Current prices are approximately USD 179–186/ton for Panzhihua 46% ilmenite and USD 203–211/ton for Panzhihua 47% ilmenite.
• Imported ilmenite quotations 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, although market quotations remained highly differentiated.
• Sulfuric acid prices weakened in selected regions but remained relatively high. Current prices are approximately USD 231–243/ton for 98% smelting acid delivered in Yunnan and USD 254–269/ton delivered in Hubei.
• High sulfur prices continued to support sulfuric acid production costs. Two TiO₂ plants recently completed conversions from sulfur-based acid to smelting acid production in an effort to manage raw material expenses.
• Although lower ilmenite and smelting acid prices provided some cost relief, sulfate-process producers remained under significant cost pressure, limiting the room for further substantial TiO₂ price adjustments.

3. Market Forecast

• The near-term TiO₂ Price Forecast remains weak as slow purchasing activity, rising inventories, and strong supplier competition continue to weigh on market sentiment.
• Selective quotation adjustments may continue among producers facing greater shipment and inventory pressure. However, high sulfuric acid costs and compressed margins are likely to restrict the scale of further reductions.
• Reduced July production may gradually ease part of the supply pressure, but the effect could remain limited until downstream restocking demand shows a meaningful recovery.
• Competition between sulfate-process and chloride-process TiO₂ is expected to remain intense, and quotations may continue to vary significantly by production route, inventory level, and supplier cost structure.
• For buyers, the current market may provide favorable negotiation opportunities, but procurement decisions should also consider supplier production status, delivery reliability, and the risk of frequent quotation changes.

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