In the first half of April, China's titanium dioxide market prices increased

April 15 news

I. Price Trends

Taking titanium dioxide rutile grade produced via the sulfuric acid process—whose sales volume is relatively high in the Chinese market—as an example, according to data from Xianhuotong, the spot price of titanium dioxide in China rose during the first half of April. On April 1, the average price of titanium dioxide was 15,260 CNY per ton, while on April 15, the average price had risen to 16,100 CNY per ton, representing a price increase of 5.5%.

II. Market Analysis

In the first half of April, the price of titanium dioxide in China increased. The price of sulfuric acid remained firm due to a tight supply chain, which in turn raised the production costs of titanium dioxide. Titanium dioxide manufacturers faced cost pressures and had to increase prices to alleviate this pressure. Today, Lomon Group announced that from April 15, the price of titanium dioxide in China will be increased by 1,500 CNY per ton, and the international price will be increased by 200 US dollars per ton.

Currently, there is a strong sentiment for price increases among titanium dioxide manufacturers, and the titanium dioxide market in China is expected to see a new round of price hikes. As of the current day, the quotations for sulfate process rutile titanium dioxide in China are mostly between 15,500 and 16,500 CNY per ton; while anatase type is around 14,500 to 15,000 CNY per ton. The frequency of price increases in the titanium dioxide market has been too high, significantly shortening the validity period of quotations, with actual transaction prices being negotiated on a case-by-case basis.

III. Future Market Forecast

Titanium dioxide analysts believe that due to the impact of geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East on the increase in the price of upstream raw materials for titanium dioxide, the production cost of titanium dioxide has been pushed up. It is expected that in the short term, the price of titanium dioxide may continue to rise.

4. Technical Analysis

From the spot market analysis system, it can be seen that the short-term moving average of titanium dioxide is currently above the long-term moving average, indicating a predicted upward trend in the market.

Auxiliary indicators show that the current titanium dioxide price is at the high end of its five-tier range, with an over-10-day surge and a year-to-date increase. We forecast that titanium dioxide prices will continue to trend upward in the near future; therefore, our market strategy recommendation for the short term is to remain cautiously watchful.