SMM reported on August 19 that the titanium dioxide market showed a comprehensive upward trend, with mainstream quotations for rutile type at 12,500-13,000 yuan/mt and FOB export price at $1,825/mt; anatase type at 11,300-11,600 yuan/mt; and chloride process at 14,300-15,300 yuan/mt, with FOB export price at $2,090/mt.
It was learned that after a certain titanium dioxide producer took the lead in increasing prices, LB Group, a leading titanium dioxide manufacturer, issued a price increase notice yesterday, stating that from August 18, the selling price of all types of titanium dioxide would be increased, with domestic customers seeing a rise of 500 yuan/mt and international customers a rise of $70/mt.
The cost side pressure has significantly intensified, with sulfuric acid prices rising recently on one hand, and titanium ore prices having already risen earlier on the other, both factors combined have led to a substantial increase in production costs for titanium dioxide producers. Currently, the market price of titanium dioxide is below the cost line for most enterprises, forcing them to actively cut production, and the actual effective supply in the market is gradually contracting. Meanwhile, positive market factors are gradually emerging. As the traditional September-October peak season approaches, the demand side is beginning to show positive signals, with some titanium dioxide companies reporting an increase in new orders, and the overall market atmosphere is slightly recovering. Against this backdrop, LB Group took the lead in issuing a price adjustment notice, announcing an increase in titanium dioxide prices for both the domestic and international markets, followed by several other titanium dioxide companies issuing similar notices. From an industry trend perspective, it is expected that more companies will join the ranks of price increases. SMM (Shanghai Metals Market) will provide real-time tracking and reporting on the specific implementation of titanium dioxide price adjustment notices by various companies.
