The global titanium dioxide production demonstrated sustainable growth, but the market was negatively impacted by the recession. The situation improved after 2009. However, growth of the market decelerated in 2012. In 2012, the global output amounted to approximately 5.6 million tonnes, up by 2 percent from 2011. In 2013, it almost reached 5.7 million tonnes. Region-wise, APAC, Europe and North America form top three titanium dioxide producers, with China, the USA and Germany being leaders amongst countries. In 2013, APAC produced about 2.7 million tonnes of titanium dioxide, while Europe and North America produced 1.4 million tonnes and 1.3 million tonnes in the same year, respectively.
Titanium dioxide: structure of the global production by country, 2013
In 2013, the global titanium dioxide capacity stood at over 7.4 million tonnes. APAC, Europe and North held the largest capacities: 3.9 million tonnes, 1.6 million tonnes and 1.5 million tonnes, respectively.
In 2005-2007 the titanium dioxide consumption grew on a regular basis, but it decreased in 2008 and declined in 2009. In 2010, the consumption started to grow. It amounted to 5.73 million tonnes in 2013.
Titanium dioxide: structure of the global consumption broken down by region, 2013 (tonnes)
The global titanium dioxide production is expected to continue growing in the years to come, though at a relatively low rate. The annual growth will be no more than 2.5 percent. In 2017, the production is forecast to hit the 6.7 million tonnes mark.
In the meantime, the demand is likely to grow at a higher rate in the upcoming years. In 2017, it is expected to be over 6.65 million tonnes, with the growth driven mainly by APAC and China in particular.
More information on the titanium dioxide market can be found in the topical research study “Titanium Dioxide: 2014 World Market Outlook and Forecast up to 2018”.