For the Year 2020
In the cosmetics industry, titanium dioxide is used as a sunscreen agent due to its ability to block harmful UV raysPrice increases of 139-174 USD /MT were seen in Q3 by western suppliers in a tight and buoyant market that faced multiple persistent pulls on supply, including an ongoing lack of Chinese export competitiveness. Furthermore, container constraints hampered its delivery to the rest of the world.
The European Commission banned titanium dioxide as a food additive in the EU in 2022 after the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) conducted an updated safety assessment of E171 and concluded the panel could not eliminate concerns about its genotoxicity.
In addition to its use as a pigment, titanium dioxide has emerged as a key player in photocatalysis and solar energy conversion due to its semiconducting properties. It can split water molecules or decompose organic compounds when exposed to light, which is a promising feature for environmental clean-up operations and renewable energy initiatives It can split water molecules or decompose organic compounds when exposed to light, which is a promising feature for environmental clean-up operations and renewable energy initiatives
Additionally, market demand plays a significant role in determining lithopone pigment prices. Industries such as construction, automotive, and consumer goods have been experiencing fluctuations in demand, influencing the pricing dynamics. In periods of high demand, prices may increase as suppliers adjust to the market trends. Conversely, during downturns or oversupply situations, prices may decrease, providing opportunities for buyers to purchase at more favorable rates.
As of August 7, the use of titanium dioxide in food is banned in the European Union. Europe is taking a precautionary principle approach based on findings from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
In food, titanium dioxide is often used as an artificial color additive. Tasha Stoiber, senior scientist at the consumer health nonprofit Environmental Working Group, says titanium dioxide can generally be thought of as a paint primer – it often goes on a hard-shelled candy like Skittles before the color is added to give it a uniform shine.
Additionally, the growing emphasis on sustainability within the automotive industry influences the demand for environmentally friendly tire production methods. TiO2, being a non-toxic and eco-friendly compound, aligns with these sustainability goals, making it an attractive option for manufacturers looking to reduce their environmental footprint.
Mexican researchers sought to evaluate the effects of E171 across a span of conditions in mice, including its influence on behavior, along with the effects on the colon and liver. The research, published in 2020 in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology, showed that E171 promoted anxiety and induced adenomas, or noncancerous tumors, in the colon. They also found that E171 heightened goblet cells hypertrophy and hyperplasia, which is typically seen in asthma patients and triggered by smoking or external pollutants and toxins. They also noted mucins overexpression in the mice, which can be linked to cancer cell formation.