Titanium dioxide is a simple oxide of titanium that’s extracted from naturally occurring minerals, namely ilmenite, rutile, and anatase. When purified from natural mineral forms, Titanium dioxide is powdery white. It’s mainly used as a pigment in paint, and is also a common ingredient in ink, sunscreen, and food colouring. Discover more industry insights and applications in TLD Vietnam’s latest blog.

What Is The Chemical Formula For Titanium Dioxide?

Titanium dioxide has the chemical formula TiO₂.

It doesn’t actually naturally occur in pure form. Instead, it’s usually found in combination with other compounds, such as igneous rocks. For instance, in rutile form, it’s commonly found in quartz crystals.

Naturally occurring rutile minerals may contain up to 10% iron as well as significant amounts of niobium and tantalum. Rutile is the most common source of Titanium dioxide in nature. Rarer polymorphs of the compound are anatase, akaogiite, and brookite.

Technical Specifications Of Titanium Dioxide

• Appearance: White solid
• Density: 3.7 – 4.23 g/cm³
• Melting Point: 1843 °C
• Boiling Point: 2972 °C
• Water Solubility: Insoluble (chemically inert)
• Refractive Index: 2.48 – 2.70

How Is Titanium Dioxide Manufactured?

Titanium dioxide was first mass-produced as a pigment in 1916. The most common mineral source is ilmenite. Rutile mineral sand can also be processed to produce the pure form of the compound. The most common manufacturing method used, however, is the chloride process, which is used to separate titanium from its ores:

• TiO₂ + C → Ti + CO₂
• Ti + 2Cl₂ → TiCl₄
• TiCl₄ + O₂ → TiO₂ + 2Cl₂

The sulfate process is also used by some processing plants to produce the pigment in crystal form. The same process can also extract the compound and produce the anatase form of Titanium dioxide. Anatase, a metastable mineral form of TiO₂, is commonly used in paper to make the colour whiter.

Several steps are needed for the sulfate process of manufacturing Titanium dioxide:

• The titanium ore, usually ilmenite, is dissolved in sulfuric acid to form titanyl sulfate (TiOSO₄)
• Titanyl sulfate then undergoes hydrolysis, resulting in an insoluble and hydrated form of TiO₂
• The solid TiO₂ is heated in a calciner to evaporate any water and decompose any sulphuric acid
• Once it’s cooled, the solid product is then formed into white crystals

Processing plants using the sulfate process for manufacturing need concentrates of ilmenite minerals. If these are unavailable, other suitable sources of titanium can be pretreated. Iron is first extracted from ilmenite by treating it with sulphuric acid. This produces rutile mineral, which is further processed based on the intended use, such as a pigment-grade substance.

Ilmenite can also be processed using the Becher process. This involves oxidising the mineral in order to separate the iron component. Ilmenite, as well as other sources of titanium, can be treated with elemental chlorine to produce tetrachloride. Oxygen is then introduced to regenerate the chlorine and finally form the Titanium dioxide compound.

The estimated global production of this material is primarily fuelled by the demand for white pigment. Global production of pigment-grade Titanium dioxide is estimated to be an average of 5.3 metric tonnes per year. In 2014, the world production of the compound in its various grades and applications exceeded nine billion tonnes.

The Role Of Titanium Dioxide 

• Color Enhancement: TiO₂ is employed as a white pigment to impart vibrant and consistent coloration to plastic products. Its high opacity and brightness ensure a uniform appearance, which is particularly valuable for achieving aesthetically pleasing results in both virgin and recycled plastics.
• Improved Brightness in Recycled Plastics: When used in recycled plastics, TiO₂ compensates for the inherent discoloration or yellowing often observed in post-consumer materials. By enhancing brightness and opacity, it restores a premium visual quality, making recycled plastics suitable for high-value applications.
• Enhanced Weather Resistance: TiO₂’s ability to absorb and scatter ultraviolet (UV) light significantly improves the weatherability of plastics. This UV-blocking property protects plastic products from degradation caused by prolonged exposure to sunlight, reducing issues such as fading, embrittlement, or cracking, thereby extending the lifespan of outdoor plastic components.
• Improved Thermal Stability: The inclusion of TiO₂ in plastic formulations can enhance thermal stability, particularly by increasing the material’s resistance to heat-induced degradation. While TiO₂ itself has a high melting point (1,843°C), its role in plastics is to stabilize the polymer matrix, reducing thermal stress and improving performance at elevated temperatures, which is critical for applications requiring high heat resistance.
• Enhanced Mechanical and Electrical Properties: TiO₂ contributes to improving the mechanical strength and durability of plastics by acting as a reinforcing filler. Its incorporation can enhance tensile strength and impact resistance. Additionally, TiO₂’s dielectric properties make it valuable in applications requiring improved electrical insulation, such as in electronic components or cable insulation, where it helps maintain performance under electrical stress.

What Are The Applications Of Titanium Dioxide?

The economic demand for Titanium dioxide is mainly based on its properties as a pigment and UV blocker. It’s extracted and processed as an ingredient for various products, mainly related to the following applications:

• Pigment: TiO₂ was first mass-produced in 1916 to make pigments. Given its white colour, it’s useful for making products opaque, and is used in paints, coatings, plastics, papers, inks, foods, and even medicines. As a paint pigment, it produces a perfect white because of the crystalline structure of the Titanium dioxide particles.
• Sunscreen: TiO₂ is used as an ingredient in sunscreen because it can block the sun’s ultraviolet rays, with UV radiation bouncing off its particles.
• Thin reflective coating: The high reflective index of TiO₂ makes it an excellent refractive optical coating when deposited as a thin film, for example, on dielectric mirrors and optics.
• Cosmetics: The high refractive index of TiO₂ crystals also provides a shiny look in makeup and lipsticks. TiO₂ is also used to add a white tint to powders and highlighters, while also adding a small level of sun protection.
• Ceramic glazes: The crystalline structure of TiO₂ is responsible for its high refractive index and white, shiny colour. This makes it ideal for ceramic glazes.

Is Titanium Dioxide Safe?

The International Agency for Research on Cancer has flagged Titanium dioxide as possibly carcinogenic to humans. As a result, some countries have started considering a ban on the use of the compound in many products, particularly in food colouring, cosmetics, and toothpastes.

However, it’s crucial to point out that the conclusions of IARC are based on highly specific evidence relating to animal models. Experimental rats that were exposed to pigment-grade particles of the compound resulted in the rats developing respiratory cancer. While this shows that there is definitely potential for TiO₂ to act as a carcinogen, there have been no conclusive meta-studies on humans as yet.

Is Titanium Dioxide Harmful?

Titanium dioxide is generally safe in small quantities and when not ingested or inhaled. Paints and other substances that are solid when dried pose very low risks. Long-term studies show that there are no occupation-related hazards associated with the substance, either.

One of the greatest hazards of TiO₂ is thought to be when the particles are of a nanoscale. Food and other products like cosmetics contain small amounts of nano-sized TiO₂ particles. In this state, the particles tend to bind together to form larger particles, giving them a chance to accumulate. However, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has declared Titanium dioxide safe when used as a food additive.

Environmental Impact Of Titanium Dioxide Production

The production of Titanium dioxide, particularly through the sulfate process, can have significant environmental implications. The sulfate process generates large amounts of sulfuric acid waste and other byproducts, such as iron sulfate, which can pose challenges for disposal. If not managed properly, these waste products can contaminate soil and water bodies, leading to environmental degradation. The chloride process, while generally cleaner, still produces carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions during the initial reaction and requires significant energy input, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.

To mitigate these impacts, modern production facilities are adopting more sustainable practices. For example, some plants recycle sulfuric acid from the sulfate process to reduce waste. Others use advanced filtration systems to capture and neutralize harmful byproducts before disposal. Additionally, research is ongoing into greener production methods, such as using renewable energy sources to power the energy-intensive chloride process or developing bio-based processes to extract titanium from ores. Efforts to recycle Titanium dioxide from industrial waste or post-consumer products are also gaining traction to reduce the demand for virgin material and minimize environmental footprints.

Global Titanium Dioxide Market Outlook

The global Titanium dioxide market, valued at USD 22.28 billion in 2024, is projected to grow from USD 24.81 billion in 2025 to USD 40.07 billion by 2032, achieving a CAGR of 7.1%. Asia Pacific led with a 53.95% market share in 2024, driven by booming construction, urbanization, and demand for paints, coatings, plastics, and paper in countries like China, India, and Japan. The sulfate process is expected to dominate in 2025 due to its cost-effectiveness and extensive use in automotive and construction coatings. Key growth drivers include rising demand for lightweight, fuel-efficient vehicles amid stricter emission regulations, expanding construction activities, and growth in consumer goods, appliances, and electronics.

However, challenges such as a demand-supply gap due to substitute materials (e.g., antimony oxide, carbonates, zinc oxide), stringent environmental regulations, supply chain disruptions from trade restrictions and geopolitical tensions, and price volatility in raw materials like ilmenite and rutile pose risks. Environmental concerns, including high energy use, emissions, and waste from TiO₂ production, along with regulatory hurdles like the EU’s 2022 ban on TiO₂ in food due to its potential carcinogenicity, further complicate market dynamics. Opportunities arise from the recovery of automotive and construction sectors, increasing demand for high-performance coatings, and TiO₂’s expanding role in sustainable applications like self-cleaning surfaces, air purification, and solar panels, enhanced by nanotechnology advancements. Major industry players are addressing these challenges through sustainable mining, recycling technologies, and alternative TiO₂ sources to ensure supply stability and compliance. 

Conclusion

Despite concerns around safety and environmental impact, ongoing innovations in production processes, recycling, and sustainable applications are helping to address these challenges. With strong demand driven by construction, automotive, consumer goods, and emerging technologies, the global market is set for significant growth in the coming years. As industries continue to innovate and adopt greener practices, this material will not only maintain its role as a key industrial material but also expand into new applications that contribute to advanced solutions.