Titanium dioxide (TiO2) producers are pushing price increases, saying demand is rising again. All major producers of TiO2 have been reported price increase of all TiO2 grades sold across the world. Major TiO2 manufacturers include: DuPont, Huntsman Corp, Kemira Oyj, Kronos Worldwide, Cristal Global, Schtleben and Tronox Inc.

In August, 2009 all TiO2 grades sold in North America are expected to see a price increase of USD 0.03 / lb where for rest of the world it would be US$ 100-150/ MT. This price increase would be in additional to price increase announced by most of these global players in May, 2009.

Kronos Worldwide Inc. is increasing prices for all Kronos TiO2 grades sold in Europe and Eastern Europe by 100 Euro / MT, US$ 0.03 / lb in North America and for rest of the world including Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, Africa and Asia by a minimum of US$ 100 / MT.

The pigments division of Huntsman Corporation also announced price increase for Europe by 100 Euro / MT or by US$ 150/ MT in dollar based market, US$ 0.03 / lb in North America and US$ 150/ MT in Africa, Latin America and Middle East.

Similar kind of price increase effort has been noticed for all DuPont™ Ti-Pure® titanium dioxide (TiO2) grades and for all Cristal Globals Tiona® and Cristal titanium dioxide products.

"After a brief period of improved profitability last year, margins have returned to very low levels at a time when demand is improving and some modest investment is needed to return assets to full capability." said John Hall, Vice President ,Commercial (Cristal Global).

In the month of May & June 2009 all these producers already announced a price increase by US$ 0.02 / lb in North America and about US$ 100/ MT for rest of the world which also supposed to be effective from August 1, 2009 or as per contract permits. Two stage price increase effort by all this companies in short period of time leading to a total price increase of US$ 0.05/lb in North America and US$ 200-250 / MT for rest of the world.

But buyers are showing lack of interest to accept any price increase effort to raise quarterly contact prices. Ample supplies of the respective chemical backing their stand and also they are giving reason of tightening financial conditions.

In Asian region TiO2 pigment has been traded at 2490-2765 US$ / Mt level considering CFR value for last fortnight, while Anatase Grade traded at much lower level. China being the most cost competitive offering Anatase Grade at 1040-1470 US$/ Mt level, FOB Chinese main port. North Europe price level for this pigment remains steady at 2105-2355 Euro / Mt CIF Rotterdam and same with USA at a level of 2355-2580 US$/ Mt considering CIF value. Latin Americas CIF value can be quoted at 1.07-1.19 US$/ lb.

But there is a decline at higher level buying interest in USA as higher level price declined by about 40 US$/ Mt. this week compare to last week. Similarly, in Asia TiO2 pigment, price level has been declined by 45-50 US$/ Mt. This clearly shows price increase efforts by most the major producers of this pigment are unable to create any high impact.

But Latin America shows some ray of hopes, as there TiO2 pigment price level has been increased by 2 ct / lb compare to last week. Lack of domestic production in Latin America creates export opportunity for major producers from rest of the world.

Chinese TiO2 Production Capacity Expansion2009-2010


As most of the titanium dioxide pigment industry staggersfrom severely low demand, Chinese expansions are expected to double domesticcapacity to 2.7m. tpa within a year.


China, which presently produces about 1.17m tpa, has not escaped the impactof slow market demand but has reacted differently by expanding productioncapacity.

 

With Chinas construction and car industries returning to activity, the need for white paint is only going to become more pressing and Chinese TiO2 producers are making sure they are not going to be caught short.


One of the hubs for new Chinese TiO2 capacity is Panzhihua city in Sichuan province.


In 2008 virtually all new pigment plants were located there, all seeking to take advantage of the reserves in the province, Sichuan hosts over 90% of Chinas vanadium-titanium ore.


In the next two years, however, Shandong will emerge as a key TiO2 province, particularly Tengxian county.


Four new/ expansion projects have been identified for Sulphate process along with five Chloride process.


Around 200,000 tonnes of new sulphate TiO2 capacity is expected to come live before the end of this year. This represents an increase of around 15% of TiO2 production for China.


In terms of chloride capacity, much is dependant on when DuPont's new 200,000 tpa Dongying, Shandong facility comes live. This has been planned since 2005 and is delayed by environmental permit applications.


One suspected hold up is regarding waste disposal for the chloride plant which plans to use ilmenite feed a move which will ultimately produce more waste. The US producers plan is to use deep well injection disposal; the US chemicals company is yet to persuade the Chinese authorities of the safety of such a method.


Location of new Chinese Titanium Dioxide capacity for 2010 



Image Source: https://static.google.com


 


Company

Province

New Capacity (tpa)

Process

Jiangxi Tianguang Chemical

Jiangxi

50,000

Sulphate

Sichuan Lomon

Sichuan

120,000

Sulphate

Dongjia Group

Shaddong

50,000

Sulphate

Jinan Yuxing

Shandong

100,000

Sulphate

Jinzhou Titanium

Liaoning

85,000

Chloride

Henan Billions

Henan

100,000

Chloride

Anhui Annada

Anhui

40,000

Chloride

Xinli Nonferrous Metals

Yunnan

60,000

Chloride

DuPont

Shandong

200,000

Chloride

The new sulphate and chloride TiO2 capacity is set to push the countrys output at the end of next year towards 3m. tonnes, over double that of todays production level a truly magnificent jump.

This has raised questions of oversupply in China along with questionable feedstock availability as 2011 approaches.


DuPont's entry into China is also raising a number of concerns. Chinese product at present is of lower cost and lower quality. The presence of the worlds leading TiO2 producer in China has raised fears that many of the small to medium sulphate producers capacities under 50,000 tpa will suffer as DuPont competes more bullishly on a cost level while offering a higher quality product.


China's predicted growth both of its economy and population is set to put to rest these fears. There will still be a demand for the lower quality product both domestically, from South East Asia and, in particular, India.

 

References:

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  2. &sec=article&uinfo=<%=server.URLEncode(2062)%>" target="_blank">http://www.cristalglobal.com