TiO2’s time to transform
By Simon Moores
Published: Monday, 22 June 2009
As a severe demand slump takes hold and cuts ensue, the titanium dioxide industry is being forced into a fundamental location shift towards the East. With many plants and some producers sinking, and feedstock supply concerning those that survive, 2009 is shaping to be a pivotal year for the pigment sector
The titanium dioxide (TiO2) industry simply
cannot win. In the times of high demand in 2008 the sector was
struggling with high input costs, causing low profitability.
With the onset of the global recession the situation has
worsened.
The response, however, been ruthless with the top pigment
producers announcing significant...