Various titanium-rich minerals, including ilmenite and rutile, can serve as starting materials for the production of highly purified Titanium Dioxide. The predominant method employed in Titanium Dioxide production is the chloride process. In this process, the mineral, along with coke and chlorine, undergoes a reaction within a fluidized bed, resulting in the formation of primarily titanium tetrachloride and carbon dioxide. Subsequently, the titanium tetrachloride undergoes purification and conversion to Titanium Dioxide. Another method involves treating ilmenite with sulfuric acid to manufacture the chemical.

1. 296 to 1.357 g/cm3 is obtained. The reaction solution is subjected to pressure filtration through a plate frame to obtain a cake-like lithopone powder having a water content of not more than 45%. The mixture is calcined in a dry roaster to change the crystal form of the lithopone, and then acid-washed with sulfuric acid at a temperature of 80 °C. Finally, it is washed with water, reinforced with coloring agent, pressure filtration, drying and milling.

When E171 isn’t combined with other ingredients and administered in water, some studies suggest that under these artificial conditions, E171 may be processed differently in the body resulting in some biological changes in experimental animals that are poorly understood.

In 1970, Japanese scholars studied the phase diagram of iron oxide microcrystalline formation, which laid a theoretical foundation for the preparation method of iron oxide yellow crystal seed. According to the research results, iron yellow crystal seeds can be formed under acidic or alkaline conditions. Because iron yellow is a crystal structure, in order to crystallize into pigment particles, it must first form crystal nucleus and become crystal seed, and then the crystal nucleus grows into iron yellow. Otherwise, only thin and dim color paste can be obtained, which does not have pigment properties. Acid process can be divided into iron sheet process and drop addition process.

Prof. Maged Younes, Chair of EFSA’s expert Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings (FAF), wrote of the decision: “Taking into account all available scientific studies and data, the Panel concluded that titanium dioxide can no longer be considered safe as a food additive. A critical element in reaching this conclusion is that we could not exclude genotoxicity concerns after consumption of titanium dioxide particles. After oral ingestion, the absorption of titanium dioxide particles is low, however they can accumulate in the body.”

Here, NaOH or NH3 · H2O is used as a precipitant or pH regulator to react with FeSO4 to form ferrous hydroxide precipitation; Air is used as oxidant; The iron sheet reacts with sulfuric acid produced during the oxidative hydrolysis of FeSO4 to provide ferrous ions required in the reaction system and maintain the pH value of the solution. The alkali consumption of acid method is less and the particles are easy to wash. The relative rates of seed preparation and crystal growth determine the particle size, particle size distribution and particle morphology of iron yellow particles.

Because of health risks, France banned titanium dioxide as a food additive in 2020. Two years later the European Union also banned titanium dioxide as a food additive. 

Lithopone B301, Lithopone B311 powder is widely used in coatings, printing ink, rubber, plastic industry, etc.

Well asides from making you re-think that M & M addiction (chocolate coated in Titanium Dioxide…..anyone?!)

As the demand for high-quality paints continues to grow, manufacturers in the paint industry can rely on Lomon's R996 grade titanium dioxide to meet their needs. With its exceptional performance characteristics and consistent quality, this product is a trusted choice for paint manufacturers looking to create durable, vibrant, and long-lasting finishes for a wide range of applications.