Analyst Insight

About Titanium Dioxide. Titanium Dioxide, a white crystalline powder, represents the natural oxide of titanium, with its primary occurrence observed specifically in rutile ores. This titanium compound holds remarkable significance in various technological realms, functioning as a commodity chemical extensively harnessed across diverse industries. In actuality, a substantial majority of titanium ores undergo processing procedures to yield Titanium Dioxide, consequently establishing its unrivaled status as the most extensively utilized titanium-based substance on a global scale.

Pigment grade titanium dioxide is produced at a much larger particle size than nano grade. It is used as a colourant to whiten and brighten product formulations. Nano grade titanium dioxide is manufactured into very fine (nano) particles and is transparent and colourless. It is commonly used in sunscreens to provide effective protection from potentially harmful UV rays.

Titanium dioxide is a food additive that can be found in over 3,000 different products in EWG’s Food Scores database.

Price Dynamics. The Titanium Dioxide price in United States decreased during December 2018 to 2,770 USD per metric ton, which represents a decline of 7% compared to the previous month’s value. On a year-over-year basis, Titanium Dioxide prices in United States remained constant . Meanwhile, in Germany, the average price of Titanium Dioxide amounted to 3,720 USD per metric ton, from 3,460 USD per metric ton one year earlier. On a month-over-month basis, the Titanium Dioxide price in Germany is 11% higher than the price one month before.

Wegman’s puts titanium dioxide in its Original Macaroni and Cheese. Campbell’s Healthy Request Chunky Chicken Corn Chowder has it, as does Food Club’s Chunky New England Clam Chowder. Marzetti uses the color agent to brighten its Cream Cheese Fruit Dip. Dairy products usually don’t need titanium dioxide to look white, but Kroger has decided to add titanium dioxide to its Fat Free Half-and-Half. And titanium dioxide isn’t only in especially white or brightly colored foods: Little Debbie adds it to Fudge Rounds and many other products. According to the Food Scores database maintained by Environmental Working Group, more than 1,800 brand-name food products have titanium dioxide on their ingredients list. That said, it can still lurk as an unspecified “artificial color,” or labels might simply say “color added.”