Titanium Dioxide (TiO₂)

What is TiO2?

TiO₂ is the chemical formula for titanium dioxide. It’s a very common white powder that looks a bit like ultra‑fine white chalk dust. It has no smell or taste, and it’s well‑known for its bright whiteness and strong ability to make things look more opaque.

TiO2 is often found in many common products, though the specific purpose can vary by industry. You can think of it as a “white base layer” that helps a product look cleaner, whiter, and more even.

It’s one of the most widely used and trusted white pigments worldwide.

What are the two types of TiO2?

Titanium dioxide mainly exists in two crystal forms: rutile and anatase. Rutile TiO2 is the more stable form, with stronger hiding power and better resistance to weather, so it is widely used in outdoor coatings and plastics. Anatase TiO2 has lower opacity and is often chosen for indoor paints, paper, and certain specialty applications.

What is titanium dioxide used for?

Titanium dioxide is mainly used as a white pigment to make products brighter, more opaque, and durable. You’ll find it in paints, plastics, paper, inks, and textiles, where it helps improve whiteness and appearance. It’s also common in packaging, cosmetics, and other applications that require UV protection.

What do you do with pigment powder?

Pigment powder is used to provide color, whiteness, and opacity. It is mixed with binders or resins to make products such as paints, plastics, rubber, paper, and printing inks, improving appearance and coverage at a lower cost.

What is the process of TiO2 production?

Titanium dioxide is mainly produced using two methods: the sulfate process and the chloride process.

• Sulfate process: Titanium ores are dissolved in sulfuric acid and processed to yield TiO₂. It’s the older method and still widely used, though it generates more waste.
• Chloride process: Titanium ores like rutile or ilmenite are reacted with chlorine at high temperatures to form titanium tetrachloride (TiCl₄), which is purified and oxidized into TiO₂. This method produces a purer pigment and is generally more environmentally friendly.

Together, these methods supply TiO2 used in paints, plastics, paper, textiles, rubber and many other products.