China chlorination titanium dioxide expansion lifts Tianyuan to 200,000 t/yr

Titanium Dioxide

China chlorination titanium dioxide expansion will accelerate after Yibin Tianyuan Haifeng Hetai announced a new 100,000 t/yr chloride-process plant in Jiang’an county, Yibin, Sichuan. China chlorination titanium dioxide expansion will double the subsidiary’s total titanium dioxide capacity to 200,000 t/yr from 100,000 t/yr. As a result, China chlorination titanium dioxide expansion strengthens the country’s push toward cleaner TiO₂ production.

Yibin Tianyuan will invest 1.48bn yuan in the project and expects a two-year construction period. The company also projects a payback period of about 6.3 years, excluding construction time. Meanwhile, Yibin Tianyuan’s operating base spans chloride-process titanium dioxide and lithium iron phosphate, linking pigment supply chains with the battery materials ecosystem.

Why chloride-process TiO₂ keeps gaining ground in China

Chloride-process TiO₂ increasingly leads new capacity decisions because it supports tighter environmental performance. Producers also use the technology to align with low-carbon and cleaner industrial targets. However, the transition is not linear because feedstock quality, capex intensity, and operating know-how still constrain fast adoption.

China’s biggest TiO₂ groups continue to expand chloride capacity to upgrade their portfolios. LB Group, Citic Titanium, Pangang Vanadium and Titanium, Lubei Chemical, and Yibin Tianyuan form the core group using this advanced route. Therefore, Tianyuan’s decision fits a broader capital cycle that prioritizes technology shifts over incremental sulphate-style expansions.

What Tianyuan’s new plant means for market structure and pricing

A 100,000 t/yr addition is large enough to influence regional competition, especially if ramp-up is smooth. The move can improve product consistency and help Tianyuan target higher-value customer segments. Meanwhile, the market will watch whether the new capacity arrives into stable pigment demand or a weaker cycle.

China produced 663,000 tonnes of chloride-process TiO₂ in 2024, down 4.2% year on year, and this represented 14% of national TiO₂ output. That share shows chloride still has room to grow, even as producers expand. Therefore, the next competitive edge will come from integration, energy efficiency, and steady feedstock sourcing.

The Metalnomist Commentary

This project signals that Chinese TiO₂ producers still believe technology upgrades will protect margins. However, new chloride capacity can pressure prices if demand stays soft during ramp-up. The winners will be operators who pair scale with disciplined commissioning and differentiated grades.