Titanium dioxide

Titanium dioxide is the white pigment most widely used in the world with a global production of approx. 7,2 Mio tons per year. Some 20 % are produced in western Europe. The market for Titanium dioxide in Germany is the most important within western Europe and counts for approx. 500 Mio €.

Users can be found in merely all fields of applications and all sizes of companies.

Titanium dioxide pigments are not toxic and possess due their high refractive index high hiding power and are in addition light and weather resistant.
Titanium dioxide pigments are used in a large variety of applications. In coatings, like lacquers and architectural paints - pure white or toned down with coloured pigments - they decorate and protect. In plastics they contribute to the attractive appearance by giving them body.

Paper loses its transparency and gains whiteness. Artificial fillers lose their undesired gloss and transparency. In ceramic applications titanium dioxide pigments are used as opacifers.

All companies producing titanium dioxide pigments within Germany are members of VdMi; addresses can be found under members (full description).
Technical, ecological and legislative references can be found in the brochures "Safe handling of pigments", "Ceramic decorating materials" and "Colourants for food contact plastics" .

The proposed harmonized classification of Titanium dioxide has an impact on the whole industry sector. Information on Titanium dioxide and its uses can be found on the website of "Initiative pro Titandioxid" (in German), in which VdMi is strongly involved. Concerning the VdMi position and the current status please read our statement on the classification procedure (Status: 7 January 2019). The VdMi contribution to the public consultation on the proposal (Status: 12 July 2016) can be found here.