A Side Story on the First Time Pangang’s 60,000 mt Molten Salt Chlorination Titanium Dioxide Production Line Reached Full Production in a Month

On April 15, the Panzhihua National Vanadium and Titanium High-Tech Zone in Sichuan was brimming with spring vitality. An exciting announcement came from the 60,000-mt molten salt chlorination titanium dioxide production line of Panzhihua Iron and Steel Group Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Panzhihua Steel Group"), a key construction project in Sichuan Province: the production line had achieved a record-breaking continuous and stable operation time of over 25.15 days, reaching full production capacity for the first time in March, with a product qualification rate of 100%. This milestone marked a significant advancement for Panzhihua Steel Group in mastering large-scale production technology for high-quality titanium dioxide using the molten salt chlorination process with proprietary intellectual property rights, playing a crucial role in diversifying China's titanium dioxide production methods and enhancing the self-sufficiency rate of high-end titanium dioxide.

Behind this remarkable achievement lies the dedicated practice of Panzhihua Steel staff in implementing the guiding principles outlined by General Secretary Xi Jinping during his field trip to Liaoning Province and Ansteel Group's Bensteel Group, as well as the comprehensive execution of Ansteel Group's "Dual Core + Third Pole" strategy. Panzhihua Steel Group Vanadium and Titanium Resources Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Panzhihua Steel Vanadium and Titanium") and Panzhihua Steel Group Research Institute Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Panzhihua Steel Research Institute") have upheld the principles of technological self-reliance and strength, confronting challenges with unwavering confidence and high spirits. Through collaborative efforts, they have broken through technological barriers and written a new chapter in titanium dioxide production.

The 60,000-mt molten salt chlorination titanium dioxide production line of Panzhihua Steel Group shoulders the new mission of comprehensive utilisation of titanium resources in the Panxi region. It is a key project for Ansteel Group to specialise and differentiate its "Third Pole" industry, as well as a landmark project for Panzhihua Steel Group to develop new quality productive forces. The new production line adopts Panzhihua Steel Group's self-developed complete industrialisation technology for producing chlorinated titanium dioxide from low-grade titanium slag via molten salt chlorination, aiming to promote the low-cost, green, and efficient utilisation of titanium resources in the Panxi region. However, faced with the unique composition of titanium slag in the Panxi region and the challenges posed by new processes and equipment, with no prior experience to draw from, Panzhihua Steel staff rose to the occasion, embarking on an arduous journey of technological breakthroughs.

At the beginning of 2025, Panzhihua Steel Vanadium and Titanium and Panzhihua Steel Research Institute established a joint task force, formulating a special work plan for tackling key challenges and a technical breakthrough work plan, clarifying objectives and establishing mechanisms. At various production sites of the new line, researchers and technical personnel worked closely together, overcoming one production difficulty after another. From recovering by-product hydrochloric acid in the chlorination process to stabilising the oxidation furnace pressure in the oxidation process, and then to the transformation of the fully automatic palletising system in the post-treatment process, every step embodied the wisdom and hard work of Panzhihua Steel staff.

The 240-mt/day large-scale molten salt chlorination furnace and the 30,000-mt/year oxidation furnace in the new production line are major pieces of equipment independently constructed by Panzhihua Steel Group through digestion, absorption, and re-innovation, and they are also key to the production of chlorinated titanium dioxide.Faced with challenges such as molten salt splashing and composition control in the chlorination furnace, as well as scabbing and short operating cycles in the oxidation furnace, the joint research team worked closely with on-site operators to continuously optimize production parameters and the feeding system. This led to a significant increase in the overall qualification rate of molten salt composition, eliminating production bottlenecks and reducing salt consumption. In the first quarter (Q1), the joint research team overcame more than 20 production challenges, optimized 16 core process parameters, and stabilized the production line operation.

Production organization is the core of production line operation. The people of Pangang Group, knowing their responsibilities and working in unity, established a coordinated and linked production system and mechanism for different processes, and explored a process method for balancing titanium and chlorine control. Pangang Vanadium & Titanium actively carried out training to enhance employees' job skills and mobilize the initiative of all staff to reach full production and efficiency. So far, more than 3,000 employees have been trained, and all staff are certified for their positions. Pangang Research Institute implemented the "open competition for key projects" mechanism to stimulate the innovative vitality of all staff. In the first quarter, 43 rationalization proposals were implemented, driving new breakthroughs in the production line's operating cycle.

Today, Pangang Group's 60,000-mt molten salt chlorination titanium dioxide production line has shown a positive development trend. The people of Pangang Group will continue to strengthen their internal capabilities, continuously promote cost reduction and efficiency enhancement, and move towards higher and farther goals.