SMM Exclusive: Titanium was Facing Increasing Challenges: Post-Holiday Titanium Dioxide Price Surge

Within China, following the Chinese New Year in 2023, various sectors were resuming operations. This was fuelling expectations of a rapid recovery phase for the national economy in 2023. The escalating prices of titanium ore and certain sulfuric acids, both vital components in the titanium production chain, have triggered price adjustments by leading titanium dioxide companies. In early February, more than 20 firms including LB Group, CNNC HUA Yuan Titanium Dioxide, GPRO Titanium Industry, Panzhihua Taihai Technology, and Guangxi Jinmao Titanium, announced significant price hikes. The prices of various types of titanium dioxide rose by 800-1000 yuan/mt for domestic customers, and by $100-150 /mt for international clients, all based on the original price.
As industry leaders adjusted their prices, a domino effect was triggered, leading to a flurry of price increase announcements from manufacturers. As of February 24th, the quoted price for SMM rutile type titanium dioxide was within the range of 15,000 to 16,000 yuan/mt, while the average quoted price for Anatase type titanium dioxide was between 14,000 and 14,500 yuan/mt.
Titanium dioxide, a crucial inorganic pigment predominantly composed of its namesake compound, finds extensive use in industries such as paint, ink, paper, rubber, synthetic fibers, ceramics, and others. Currently, the paint industry alone accounts for 58% of titanium dioxide consumption. Within this sector, sub-industries including construction, protection, industrial application, and automotive respectively contribute to 24%, 17%, 9%, and 8% of the overall titanium dioxide consumption. As the real estate market is poised for a turnaround in 2023, moving gradually out of its slump, this shift is projected to stimulate growth in titanium dioxide demand within the paint industry.

(Figure 1: Diagram of the SMM Titanium Industry Value Chain)
The SMM China Titanium Industry Chain Analysis Annual Report delivers an expert interpretation of current hot topics and the implications of major macroeconomic policies, such as the influence of the " Foundation Plan " on the titanium industry. The report conducts a thorough examination of the titanium value chain, encompassing the markets for titanium ore, titanium slag, titanium dioxide, titanium metal, and regenerated titanium metal.
(Figure 2: Table of Contents for the SMM China Titanium Industry Chain Analysis Annual Report)

This extensive report presents a deep dive into the present state and future outlook of national production capacity and output, import and export dynamics, domestic market share held by leading enterprises, production cost structures of prominent companies, and carbon emissions across businesses. It stands as an essential guide for businesses throughout the titanium industry to devise prescient strategic plans.
For further information, please reach out to Zhang Yuting, the Project Manager of the Nonferrous Consultation team, on 18701906042. We invite you to subscribe to the SMM China Titanium Industry Chain Analysis Annual Report, which is available in both English and Chinese. To preview the range of topics addressed in the SMM consultation report, please refer to the table of contents included below.

SMM stands as an authoritative provider of professional consultation services in the non-ferrous industry in China. Their comprehensive product portfolio encompasses a wide array of services such as industry supply and demand price analyses, supply chain management studies, market surveys, on-the-ground research, expert industry reports, tailored research reports, industry planning documents, and industry whitepapers, among others. In response to evolving market conditions, these reports can be updated on a quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis.