China Titanium Dioxide Exports Rise 31% as India Shipments Recover

Titanium dioxide

China titanium dioxide exports rose sharply in May as shipments recovered from the weak year-earlier comparison and demand from India strengthened. Total exports reached 152,761t, up 31% from a year earlier.

China titanium dioxide exports nevertheless fell 21% from April’s 193,503t. Overseas buyers had accelerated purchases during March and April on expectations of further price increases, reducing immediate requirements in May.

China titanium dioxide exports reached 883,080t during January-May, up 13% from the same period last year. The increase confirms China’s continuing importance as a major supplier to global coatings, plastics, paper and other pigment-consuming industries.

India emerged as a leading destination for both chloride- and sulphate-process material despite trade measures affecting Chinese TiO2.

Chloride and Sulphate Exports Show Different Market Dynamics

China exported 34,354t of chloride-process titanium dioxide in May, up 38% year on year but down 20% from April.

India was the largest destination with 3,758t, followed by Vietnam with 3,185t and South Korea with 2,713t.

Chloride-process TiO2 generally serves higher-performance applications requiring strong brightness, durability and pigment quality. Expansion of Chinese chloride capacity has therefore helped domestic producers compete more directly in higher-value international markets.

Sulphate-process exports remained much larger at 118,407t in May. Shipments increased 6.9% from a year earlier but fell 21% from April.

India again ranked first with 13,646t, followed by Turkey at 9,611t and South Korea at 8,598t.

The continued dominance of sulphate-process material reflects China’s extensive installed production base and competitive cost position across commodity pigment markets.

However, the faster year-on-year growth in chloride exports suggests China is gradually strengthening its position in more technically demanding TiO2 segments.

Higher Exports Support Titanium Feedstock Demand

Sustained titanium dioxide production has implications further upstream in the titanium mineral supply chain.

Chloride-process plants typically require higher-grade titanium feedstocks, while sulphate production can consume a broader range of ilmenite and titanium slag products.

Higher Chinese pigment output can therefore support demand for ilmenite, upgraded titanium slag and other TiO2 feedstocks.

India remains an important market despite anti-dumping measures introduced against Chinese material. The recovery in shipments indicates that trade barriers have not removed underlying Indian demand for competitively priced pigment.

However, monthly export volatility remains significant. The May decline from April shows that buyers can shift purchasing schedules rapidly when they expect price changes.

For Chinese producers, continued export growth will depend on maintaining cost competitiveness while navigating anti-dumping duties and other trade barriers in major consuming markets.

China Titanium Dioxide Exports

The Metalnomist Commentary

China’s TiO2 export strength shows that trade measures can redirect or delay shipments without necessarily removing underlying demand. The more strategic development is the growth of chloride-process exports, which could increase China’s demand for higher-grade titanium mineral feedstocks.