TiO₂ Price Forecast: Post-Holiday Price Support Holds as Weak Demand and Trade Risks Limit Further Gains (2026-09-25 to 2026-10-09)

Buyer Summary: The China TiO₂ Market remained broadly stable after the holiday. A leading manufacturer raised its listed distributor price by approximately USD 44/ton, while several other producers increased quotations by around USD 29/ton. Some new-price orders were reported, and existing order backlogs continue to support producer quotations. However, “Silver October” demand remains weaker than expected, keeping the market in a supply-demand tug-of-war. Meanwhile, the UK’s proposed anti-dumping measures on Chinese rutile TiO₂ have emerged as a new export-market variable.

1. Titanium Dioxide (TiO₂) Market Analysis

• The TiO₂ market remained broadly stable after the holiday. A leading manufacturer raised its listed distributor price by approximately USD 44/ton, while selected producers increased quotations by around USD 29/ton.
• Some orders were concluded at the new quotation levels, while existing order backlogs continued to support producer pricing.
• However, “Silver October” demand remains weaker than expected. Buyers continue to purchase cautiously, and whether recent increases can be fully translated into transaction prices remains uncertain.
• Overall, the market remains stable, with transactions continuing to be negotiated on a case-by-case basis according to supplier inventory, cost structure, and order conditions.

Product	Previous Week (36th Week, 2026)	Current Week (37th Week, 2026)	Weekly Change
Anatase	129	129	0
Rutile	131	131	0

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 remained weak but relatively stable after the holiday. Increased supply from major producing regions and cautious TiO₂ purchasing kept spot availability sufficient, while miners showed limited room for further substantial reductions.
• Imported ilmenite also remained under pressure due to high port inventories and slow spot circulation. However, import supply may gradually decrease during the fourth quarter, which could help ease inventory pressure later.
• Sulfuric acid prices largely stabilized after substantial pre-holiday declines, with modest rebounds in selected regions. Planned maintenance at several acid plants may tighten regional supply, although weak downstream demand continues to limit a broader recovery.
• UK trade policy has become an important new export-market variable. The UK Trade Remedies Authority has proposed anti-dumping measures on imports of Chinese rutile titanium dioxide. China exported approximately 20,000 tons of TiO₂ to the UK during January–August 2026, making future tariff developments relevant to Chinese exporters and European buyers.
• LB Group has started construction of a 200,000 MT/year TiO₂ project in Malaysia. The first phase includes overseas post-treatment capacity for both chloride-process and sulfate-process TiO₂, targeting Europe, the Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia. The project reflects the continued globalization and localization of Chinese TiO₂ supply chains.
• New TiO₂ capacity and process investments are also continuing in China, highlighting ongoing industry restructuring and capacity expansion despite relatively weak near-term demand.

3. Market Forecast

• The near-term TiO₂ Price Forecast remains broadly stable. Existing orders, recent quotation increases, and producer resistance to lower prices are providing support, while weak downstream demand limits further upside.
• The recent distributor price increase from a leading manufacturer provides an important reference point for the market. Whether higher quotations can become fully established will depend on new-order acceptance and downstream purchasing activity during October.
• Domestic ilmenite remains weak but relatively stable, while sulfuric acid has begun to show signs of regional stabilization. Raw material conditions therefore provide neither a strong trigger for another broad TiO₂ increase nor enough pressure to force a substantial price reduction.
• Export demand remains an important source of support, but the proposed UK anti-dumping measures introduce additional uncertainty for Chinese rutile TiO₂ exports. Trade-policy developments may increasingly influence regional export flows and pricing strategies.
• For buyers, the market currently favors a balanced procurement approach. Significant upside may remain limited without stronger “Silver October” demand, but existing producer orders and recent price increases also reduce the likelihood of a substantial near-term decline.

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