Urgent Price Surge in Titanium Dioxide Industry Following EU Anti-Dumping Duties

The titanium dioxide industry is experiencing its first price surge of 2025, triggered by the EU's imposition of anti-dumping duties on Chinese exports. Starting from January 11, the EU began levying anti-dumping duties between €250 and €740 per ton on titanium dioxide imports from China, set to last for five years. In response, 23 Chinese titanium dioxide companies, including Longbai and others, have raised export prices by $50 to $100 per ton.

On January 17, leading titanium dioxide producer Venator announced a price increase of €300 per ton starting February 1 for its titanium dioxide sales in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, citing the impact of the ongoing energy crisis in Europe.

To preempt Venator's price hike, major Chinese players like Longbai Group, CNNC Titanium Dioxide, and Huiyun Titanium Industry quickly adjusted their titanium dioxide prices on January 21, with increases of $50 to $100 per ton internationally and ¥300 to ¥500 per ton domestically.

Following the lead of Longbai, CNNC, and Huiyun, 17 other companies including Dongfang Titanium Industry, Anada, and Kunming Donghao swiftly seized the price hike opportunity within three days, implementing increases of ¥300 to ¥500 per ton domestically and $50 to $100 per ton internationally.

Hengtong Titanium Industry, CITIC Titanium Industry, and Jinpu Titanium Industry were slightly slower to react but also adjusted their prices between February 5 and 10, reflecting the same increase.

Currently, a total of 23 companies in China have raised their titanium dioxide prices, with increases of $50 to $100 per ton internationally and ¥300 to ¥500 per ton domestically.

Despite the price increases, the downstream applications of titanium dioxide, such as in coatings and plastics, have not shown significant signs of recovery or positive trends. The recent price hikes represent not only a typical start-of-year adjustment but also a strategic response to the EU's anti-dumping duties on Chinese titanium dioxide products.