China's titanium dioxide market analysis in December 2019 and the market forecast for the beginning of 2020

In the whole year of 2019, China’s titanium dioxide market experienced five stages of ups and downs. At the end of the year, the price has fallen to a certain extent compared with the beginning of the year. At present, the price of Chinese rutile titanium dioxide FOB price is 1950.00 usd/ton—2200 usd/ton, anatase titanium dioxide FOB is from 1700 usd/ton to 1800 usd/ton. Among them, the market price of Lonmong Billions announced a total of 4 times price increase, respectively on February 12, March 7, August 15, and September 3. The declines were in January, July, and November.

After entering December, due to the suspension of operation of Richards Bay in South Africa, the situation of raw materials is further strained. At the same time, due to the increasing cost of titanium raw materials manufacturers in China, titanium dioxide manufacturers have to consider whether to conduct price increases or halt for maintenance. At present, Most manufacturers have chosen the former and announced price increases ranging from 30-50 usd/ton to offset the cost pressure brought by the continuous price increase of titanium raw materials.

In January 2020, due to the traditional Chinese New Year holiday, China’s titanium dioxide market is expected to maintain the current price increase trend. At the same time, the titanium dioxide supply may be in short and tight in general. It is expected that large-scale price increases will occur in February. At the same time, due to the influence of titanium raw materials, the production cost of chlorinated titanium dioxide will be greatly increased, and the supply of high-quality titanium ore and high slag will continue to be tight.

Roland Wong, Market Researcher
TINOX CHEMIE GMBH
Dusseldorf, Germany