According to a 2011 study published in Radiology and Oncology, titanium dioxide may lead to some adverse effects in the body, including oxidative stress, inflammation, and changes in cell signaling pathways. Additionally, pure titanium dioxide can be notably harmful when inhaled.

As a result, tariffs for titanium products are remaining similar to the ones in 2016, which will not cause bigger price fluctuations and keep a stable market.

Another vital aspect to consider when working with a lithopone pigment pricelist is the effect of quality on pricing. Higher purity pigments generally command a premium price because of their enhanced performance characteristics. When choosing a supplier, it’s essential to look for manufacturers who adhere to strict quality control standards. This ensures that the pigment not only meets industry standards but also performs reliably in various applications, thus justifying any additional costs.

JECFA previously assessed titanium dioxide at its 13^th meeting, at which time the expert committee assigned a “not specified” ADI for the additive due to an absence of significant absorption and a lack of toxicological effects in the available experimental animal and human studies. Since its original evaluation by JECFA, titanium dioxide has become a public point of contention, with its ban being introduced (and then subsequently withdrawn) in California legislation in 2023, a legal battle playing out in the EU over the additive’s ban and classification as a carcinogen in 2022, and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) calling titanium dioxide unsafe. However, supporters of titanium dioxide say that claims about its dangers are founded in unreliable studies, and some recent research has supported its safety as a food additive.

Sulphate and chloride methods

Although barium sulfate is almost completely inert, zinc sulfide degrades upon exposure to UV light, leading to darkening of the pigment. The severity of this UV reaction is dependent on a combination of two factors; how much zinc sulfide makes up the pigments formulation, and its total accumulated UV exposure. Depending on these factors Lithopone B301, Lithopone B311 powder itself may vary in shade over time, ranging from pure white all the way to grey or even black. To suppress this effect, a dopant might be used, like small amount of cobalt salts, which would be added to the formulation. This process creates cobalt-doped zinc sulfide. The cobalt salts help to stabilize zinc sulfide so it will not have as severe a reaction to UV exposure.

The global Lithopone market report provides in-depth competitive analysis as well as profiles of these major players.