Titanium dioxide pigment (TiO2) is a white powder which offers high opacity, brilliant whiteness and exceptional UV resistance. Such unique qualities have turned it into an essential ingredient in the manufacture of paints, inks, plastics and rubber. It is also used in other products such soap and toiletries, adhesives, concrete curing compounds, candles and crayons.

The pigment is extracted commercially mainly from naturally occurring rutile or anatase oxides and titanates. As a crystalline inorganic material it is completely colourless. This means it can generate brilliant whiteness by reflecting and repeatedly refracting visible light extremely efficiently.

Cristal TiO2 is inert, non-toxic and available in a variety of grades to deliver the colour, tone, strength and protection required by an increasingly diverse global market for premium-quality white pigments.

TiO2 is a high-demand product. The paint industry is its largest user, consuming more than 50% of world TiO2 production, while plastics consumes 19% and paper 17%.

Not surprisingly, the largest TiO2 consumer is the United States (33%), followed by Europe (24%) and Japan (8%). Over the next decade, substantial growth in consumption is expected in developing economies in more densely populated countries (for example, India and China).