The demand is sluggish and the titanium dioxide market is weak [SMM analysis]

[Titanium dioxide market] The market price of titanium dioxide remained basically stable last week. The mainstream transaction price of rutile titanium dioxide was 16,200-17,500 yuan/ton, and the mainstream quotation of anatase titanium dioxide was 15,000-15,500 yuan/ton. Some small factories or traders slightly lowered the prices, which were basically the same as two Fridays ago.

In March 2024, China's titanium dioxide exports reached 196,100 tons, a month-on-month increase of 46.72% and a year-on-year increase of 29.61%. At present, supported by the export market, most domestic companies have no inventory. As the market enters the off-season, downstream companies remain cautious in purchasing. The market price of titanium dioxide is negotiated on a case-by-case basis. Although the cost of raw materials has fallen, it is still at a high level. In terms of raw materials, the supply and demand in the sulfuric acid market have both decreased, and the market transaction has weakened. It is expected that the price of sulfuric acid will be adjusted narrowly in the near term; the price of titanium concentrate is running at a high level, and the price was adjusted slightly. The prices of raw materials titanium ore and sulfuric acid are running at high levels. The mainstream price of titanium dioxide remains stable for the time being, but with strong market wait-and-see sentiment, titanium dioxide may run weakly in the near term.