Cost Support and Tight Spot Supply, Titanium Dioxide Price Hikes Reemerge, Future Market Awaits Demand Verification [SMM Titanium Spot Report]

SMM September 16 news: The titanium dioxide market recovered. Mainstream quotations for rutile titanium dioxide were 12,800-13,200 yuan/mt, with an FOB export price of $1,860/mt; anatase titanium dioxide was quoted at 11,500-11,800 yuan/mt; and the chloride process product was quoted at 14,500-15,500 yuan/mt, with an FOB export price of $2,100/mt.

The current market shows a situation where upstream players strongly hope for price increases while downstream players take a wait-and-see stance. Some titanium enterprises have explicitly announced price increases through official letters. One titanium enterprise revealed that all October orders have been signed, and spot supply is tight, which directly supports firm titanium dioxide prices. Cost side, overall raw material prices are at a relatively high level. Under significant cost pressure, titanium enterprises are highly determined to refuse to budge on prices, providing key support for price increases. Overall, the titanium dioxide market will continue the tug-of-war between sellers and buyers this week. Considering the safety accident at a leading enterprise's sulphuric acid production line last week, this incident is expected to significantly reduce the national production of sulphuric acid process titanium dioxide this month. Combined with high raw material costs and tight spot supply at some enterprises, these factors will continue to support firm prices. Titanium dioxide prices are expected to rise slowly. SMM will continue to monitor subsequent improvements in demand and changes in raw material price trends.