Titanium Dioxide (TiO₂) — Rutile & Anatase Pigment Grades for Coatings, Plastics, Paper, Inks, and Cosmetics

Overview

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂, CAS 13463-67-7) is the dominant white pigment used worldwide for opacity, brightness, and tint strength in coatings, plastics, paper, inks, and cosmetics. East Materials supplies a portfolio of rutile and anatase TiO₂ pigments via LOMON Billions Group distribution — LOMON Billions is one of the world's largest titanium dioxide producers, with both chloride-process and sulphate-process production. East Materials acts as a trade distributor, not the primary producer.

The portfolio is organised by chemistry (rutile vs anatase), process (chloride vs sulphate), and target application:

• Chloride-process rutile — higher tint strength, whiter undertone, superior weather resistance — for coatings, plastics, inks
• Sulphate-process anatase — softer, lower abrasion, optical brightening characteristics — for paper, cosmetics, fibre, ceramics
• Universal-grade rutile — broad-compatibility surface treatment for masterbatch plastics, inks, decorative coatings

Functionally equivalent to Chemours Ti-Pure, Tronox, Kronos, Venator Tioxide, and Cristal premium rutile and anatase grades. Cost differential vs European/American reference brands varies by market and shipment volume. Compliant with ISO 591 (TiO₂ pigment classification), ASTM D476 (rutile pigment specification), JIS K 5101 (pigment test methods), and REACH (EU REACH registration).

Functional Category Grades

All categories ship with batch CoA covering TiO₂ content, crystal-form analysis, particle size distribution (laser diffraction, ISO 13320), oil absorption, colour indices (L*/a*/b* in CIELAB), pH of slurry, and loss on drying. Cosmetic-grade variants additionally include heavy-metals CoA (Pb, As, Hg, Cd) at cosmetic limits and microbial bioburden.

Key technical notes by category:

• Chloride-process rutile — gives 8–12% higher tint strength and superior weather resistance (chalk-resistant in exterior coatings) vs sulphate-process at the same loading. Standard choice for exterior architectural facade, automotive topcoat, marine, and premium industrial coatings.
• Universal-grade rutile — alumina + silica + organic surface treatment for broad polymer-matrix compatibility. Standard choice for PE/PP/PS/PVC/ABS masterbatch, packaging film, and printing inks.
• Sulphate-process rutile — cost-effective for interior coatings, primer, and bulk decorative paint where premium weather resistance is not required.
• Anatase — softer crystal (Mohs ~5.5 vs rutile ~6.0–6.5) reduces abrasion of paper-machine wires and cosmetic-applicator surfaces. Higher refractive blue-light component gives optical-brightening characteristics in paper and synthetic fibre.
• Cosmetic-grade — chloride-process rutile with tightened heavy-metal limits (Pb ≤10 ppm, As ≤3 ppm, Hg ≤1 ppm, Cd ≤3 ppm) per EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 Annex II and microbial bioburden controls.

Selection Guide

For coating formulators, pair TiO₂ with HJSIL® Fumed Silica (anti-settling, anti-sag rheology) and HMMAT® Matting Agents (sheen control) for a complete pigment + additive system. For SPF / UV-protection nano-TiO₂ (different specification, surface-coated for UV scattering), source separately from a UV-protection specialty producer.

Procurement, Storage, and QC

Packaging, MOQ, and lead time:

Container shipments typically run 16–20 t depending on packaging format. Sealed dry storage <40°C, away from direct sunlight. 24-month shelf life sealed, 12-month opened. TiO₂ is a permanent solid pigment with no shelf-life degradation of the pigment itself — open-bag shelf life is constrained by moisture pickup and contamination risk, not chemical breakdown.

QC documentation (every batch CoA includes):

• TiO₂ content — ISO 591 method
• Crystal-form analysis (rutile / anatase fraction) — XRD
• Particle size distribution — laser diffraction, ISO 13320
• Oil absorption — ISO 787-5
• Colour indices L*/a*/b* — CIELAB, ISO 7724
• pH of 10% aqueous slurry
• Loss on drying at 105°C
• Heavy metals (cosmetic / food-contact applications) — Pb, As, Hg, Cd

Regulatory: REACH-registered. Compliant with ISO 591, ASTM D476, and JIS K 5101. Cosmetic-grade variants compliant with EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 Annex II. Note: EU 2021 reclassification of TiO₂ inhalation (Carc. 2 H351i for inhalable dust) affects industrial handling protocols but not finished consumer products. Each shipment includes LOMON Billions Group CoA + East Materials supply-chain documentation. EU REACH registration via LOMON Billions Group EU Only Representative.

Substituting from Reference Brands

Independent testing in customer formulations typically yields hiding power and tint strength within ±5% of reference brand at the same TiO₂ loading — within typical batch variation of either supplier.

FAQ

Does East Materials manufacture titanium dioxide?

No. East Materials is a trade distributor, not a TiO₂ producer. The portfolio is supplied via LOMON Billions Group, one of the world's largest titanium dioxide producers (chloride and sulphate process). East Materials provides supply-chain documentation, batch CoA, and customer-side technical support for category-level selection.

Chloride vs sulphate process — which should I pick?

Chloride-process gives 8–12% higher tint strength, whiter undertone, and superior weather resistance — standard for exterior coatings, automotive topcoat, cosmetic-grade, and premium plastics. Sulphate-process is cost-effective for interior coatings, paper, and ceramic-grade anatase where premium weather resistance is not the driver. Anatase is softer (lower abrasion) and only available via sulphate process — used for paper, fibre, cosmetic powder, and ceramic glaze.

How do I select the right TiO₂ category?

Three questions: (1) crystal form — rutile for hiding and weather, anatase for paper, fibre, cosmetic softness; (2) process — chloride for premium weather and tint, sulphate for cost-effective bulk; (3) application — coating, plastic, ink, paper, or cosmetic determines surface treatment. Send your resin chemistry, target opacity, and end-use environment to our chemists for a category recommendation.

What about VOC and the EU 2021 reclassification?

TiO₂ is a permanent solid pigment — not a VOC source. The EU 2021 reclassification (CLP Annex XV; Carc. 2 H351i for inhalable dust) affects industrial handling protocols (dust extraction, PPE) but not the finished consumer product. REACH-registered.

Are cosmetic-grade variants available?

Yes. Cosmetic-grade rutile is supplied with tightened heavy-metal limits (Pb ≤10 ppm, As ≤3 ppm, Hg ≤1 ppm, Cd ≤3 ppm) and microbial bioburden controls per EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 Annex II. For SPF / UV-scattering nano-TiO₂ (separate specification, surface-coated), source from a UV-protection specialty producer.

What's the typical lead time and MOQ?

Standard categories 4–8 weeks FOB Shanghai; cosmetic-grade variants 6–10 weeks. MOQ 1 pallet (1.0 t) for bag formats; 1 IBC (16–20 t) for bulk. Container shipments 16–20 t.

Related Products & Sister Sites

• HJSIL® Fumed Silica — pairs with TiO₂ in coating formulations for anti-settling rheology.
• HMMAT® Matting Agents — sheen control in TiO₂-pigmented coatings.
• Coatings Application Hub — broader formulation guidance.
• Anti-Corrosion Coatings — TiO₂ in heavy-duty protective systems.
• For deeper coating-application context on titanium dioxide (colour matching, dispersion technology, premium category selection), see coatingsink.com/products/titanium-dioxide/. For pigment-related compounding intermediate chemistry, see chemzip.com.