China Has Great Consumption Potential for Titanium Dioxide

Written by Xu Gaodong and translated by Xin Xue

        Because of its high refractive index and perfect particle distribution, titanium dioxide has superior hiding power and tinting strength. Therefore, it is extensively used in coating, ink, plastic, rubber, paper, ceramics, synthetic fiber and other fields. Its special superior performance make it irreplaceable in industrial fields. China＇s titanium industry has been developing rapidly for more than ten years and it＇s only after the financial crisis erupting in 2008 that its growth rate began to slow down. Nonetheless, along with the economic rebound, domestic tio2 consumption market began to recover. Many emerging markets are effectively developed and the consumptive level is improved gradually.

　　The per capita consumption of tio2 is an important index to measure the economic development level of a country. And it＇s also a powerful evidence to measure the market potential of this country. Generally speaking, there is a great demand for tio2 in developed countries. For example, the annual per capita consumption of tio2 in USA is 3.6 kg and in West European it＇s about 3 kg. Whereas in China, it was only 0.95 kg in previous years, which is only 26% of USA and 32% of some West European countries. Even in comparison with the Asia-Pacific countries, China＇s consumption level of tio2 can only be considered as lower-middle standard. Now let＇s do a math problem. Suppose China had 1.33 billion people in total and each person consumed 3.6kg tio2 every year, then we have got 5.2 million tons, which means the total demand for tio2 would achieve 5.2 million tons every year. Presently, we are 4 million tons far away from this figure. Then when the economy completely recovered, even if all the domestic titanium enterprises produced tio2 under full load, the yield couldn＇t meet the demand. Therefore, in future, domestic demand for tio2 will have a relatively large potential for growth. According to a professional report, in 2008, the total tio2 consumption of China is 1.24 million tons, the per capita consumption is merely 0.93 kg. Thereby there is a huge consumptive space in China＇s tio2 market and it will expand rapidly in recent 20 years. Realized this status, foreign titanium enterprises came to China one after another. For instance, international titanium giants like DuPont and Ishihara have transferred their production bases and sales market to China in succession.

　　Experts hold that the seeming oversupply of low-end tio2 products in China is due to the underdevelopment of potential consuming market. While in high-end market, the supply falls short of demand because most of the high-end tio2 products depend on imports but the imported volume usually can not meet the demand. As for the special high-tech tio2 products, such as nano tio2, have larger market space. It is reported that nano tio2 is a kind of ultra-fine chemical raw materials with small dosage but high added value. It has precious optical properties and has bright prospects in auto industry and many other fields. Besides, nano tio2 has good chemical and heat stability; It＇s non-toxic, nonmigratory and thus can contact with food safely. Moreover, nano tio2 can be widely used as a photosensitive catalyst and adsorbent owing to its good adsorption and chemical properties. Furthermore, its excellent ultraviolet shielding effect, transparency and non-toxic characteristics enable it to be the perfect material of producing sunscreen and other skin care products, food packaging materials, agricultural plastic sheeting as well as natural and man-made fibers etc. In addition, in automotive painting industry, it can also be used to produce effect pigments, which is its most important and promising usage. Adding nano tio2 into metallic paints used for cars, the coating will produce rich and mysterious color effect, which is preferred by auto color experts. Because of the complex production technology, this type of special tio2 generally has small yield but its potential market demand is much greater than other types of tio2.

　　According to the consumption characteristics of China tio2 market and the development status of each application industry, the tio2 consumptive market will expand quickly and the potential consumptive space will be developed gradually. In the future, the consumption status of China tio2 market will maintain a strong momentum for a long period of time.

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