Buyer Summary: The China TiO₂ Market remained weak but showed increasing signs of approaching a stabilization point this week. Sulfate-process TiO₂ prices are close to production cost levels, while selected producers are reducing output and domestic ilmenite inventories are declining. With September’s traditional peak season approaching and inventories in parts of the downstream supply chain remaining relatively lean, a recovery in restocking demand could lead to a faster-than-expected change in market sentiment.
1. Titanium Dioxide (TiO₂) Market Analysis
- Market participants became increasingly cautious. A leading titanium dioxide manufacturer reportedly executed distributor volumes at approximately 130% of contracted levels, while most other producers remained in a wait-and-see position. Selected producers in Southwest China temporarily suspended new quotations.
- Social inventories remained relatively high and consumption was still under pressure. However, chloride-process operating rates declined during the month, reducing output, while some sulfate-process producers also adjusted production.
- Sulfate-process TiO₂ prices are now close to production cost levels after previous reductions. Although market competition remains intense, compressed margins leave increasingly limited room for another broad round of substantial price cuts.
- Most transactions continued to be negotiated on a case-by-case basis, with suppliers closely watching pricing signals from leading manufacturers before making further adjustments.
| Product | Previous Week (29th Week, 2026) |
Current Week (30th Week, 2026) |
Weekly Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anatase | 127 | 127 | 0 |
| Rutile | 129 | 129 | 0 |
Price Index Methodology: The Price Index is calculated based on the average prices of the top 10 producers in China, with the base value set at 100 as of January 1, 2026.