Summary：China's TiO₂ exports fell 7.14% Jan-Jul 2025, with sulfate-grade down more than chloride. EU's CBAM and India's anti-dumping hit shipments; firms turned to third-country transit and tech upgrades, with overseas plants easing costs. Imports dropped as domestic capacity rose.
I. Export and Import Volume & Structural Changes
Export contraction, resilience in high-end products
From January to July 2025, China's TiO₂ exports totaled 1.0514 million tonne, down 7.14% YoY.
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Sulfate-process TiO₂: Exports reached 849,600 tonnes (–8.05% YoY), pressured by trade barriers in India (anti-dumping duties of USD 460–681/t) and Brazil. Shipments to India plunged 49% YoY.
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Chloride-process TiO₂: Exports were 201,800 tonnes (–3.12% YoY), supported by demand in high-end applications such as automotive coatings and PV backsheet materials, with declines smaller than sulfate-grade.
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June–July exports rose slightly by 2.19% MoM to 134,800 tonnes, reflecting firms' efforts to offset barriers through third-country transit (e.g., Malaysia) and new market penetration in Africa and the Middle East.
Import substitution accelerating, high-end dependence easing
China imported 47,000 tonnes of TiO₂ in Jan–Jul 2025 (–17.16% YoY).
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Chloride-process imports: 28,900 tonnes (–27.32% YoY), as domestic capacity expanded (chloride-process share reaching 18%) from producers such as LB Group and CNNC.
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Sulfate-process imports: 18,200 tonnes (+6.47% YoY), supplementing low-end demand gaps.
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Import prices remained around USD 1,000/t higher than export prices, showing continued—but declining—reliance on imported high-end grades.
II. Key Market Dynamics and Policy Impacts
European Union: Carbon tariffs suppress exports, technical hurdles intensify
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Cost impact: Under CBAM, an additional USD 200/t carbon cost was imposed. LB Group mitigated this by sourcing from its Indonesian green-power base (electricity cost RMB 0.25/kWh), reducing product emissions to 1.8 tCO₂/t—a 50% cut in carbon costs.
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Technical compliance: REACH requires separate registration for nano-scale TiO₂ (<100nm). Cinkatech reduced nano fraction to 0.03% via SiO₂ coating, enabling a 20% price premium.
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Market shrinkage: 2025 exports to the EU are projected at 180,000 tonnes (–30% YoY vs 2024). However, the removal of TiO₂'s carcinogenic label (Aug 2025) may bring long-term upside.
India: Anti-dumping measures trigger steep export decline; capacity relocation key
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Tariff shock: From May, India imposed anti-dumping duties of USD 460–681/t. Jan–Jul exports to India plunged 49%, prompting firms like Dongjia to suspend shipments.
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Capacity moves: CNNC transferred chloride-process technology to Vietnam's Vinachem, while LB Group maintained share via a Malaysian transit hub (ASEAN zero-tariff access). Logistics costs rose 8%, but tariffs fell 12%.
III. Corporate Responses and Industry Trends
Globalized capacity and technological upgrading
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Overseas plants: LB Group's Indonesian base (200,000 tpa) is operational, leveraging local power and ilmenite resources. Production costs are 15% lower than in China, with 2026 EU exports projected to enjoy a 12% cost reduction.
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Technological breakthroughs: Huiyun Tiankong's extraction method cut arsenic content to 0.005 ppm, gaining entry to Coca-Cola and Pepsi's supply chains and adding RMB 1,200/t net profit.
Compliance management and market diversification
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Carbon footprint certification: Chemours deployed blockchain to certify TiO₂'s full-chain carbon data, cutting compliance costs by 30% in line with the EU's "Carbon Accounting Guidelines for TiO₂.'
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Market restructuring: Exports to Africa and the Middle East rose from 15% to 22%, though firms face long payment cycles (\~90 days) and weak logistics infrastructure.
More information can be found at CCM Titanium Dioxide China Monthly Report.
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