My Country's Titanium Dioxide Exports Encounter Three Low

                                                 Anti-dumping policies and weak global demand resonate.

 

In the first half of this year, my country's titanium dioxide export volume and average price declined to varying degrees both year-on-year and month-on-month. This marked the third consecutive month of month-on-month export declines and the fourth consecutive month of year-on-year export declines. Sun Zheyu, Deputy Secretary-General of the Titanium Dioxide Branch of the National Chemical Productivity Promotion Center, pointed out that India and Brazil's anti-dumping policies were the core factor in the decline in my country's titanium dioxide exports. Coupled with the shrinking end-user demand caused by the global economic slowdown, the titanium dioxide export market is unlikely to improve. He suggested that domestic titanium dioxide companies accelerate the development of non-restricted markets such as the Middle East and Africa, or circumvent trade barriers by expanding overseas production capacity to alleviate long-term market pressure.

Sun Zheyu explained that the continued suppression of anti-dumping policies has led to a sharp drop in titanium dioxide demand in India and Brazil. The anti-dumping measures launched by India and Brazil in October 2024 have weakened my country's titanium dioxide price advantage. Furthermore, the surge in freight rates during the shipping buffer period from May to July, caused by the Sino-US tariff war has further increased the cost of Chinese goods arriving at ports. The anti-dumping duties officially implemented by India and Brazil in May of this year caused a sharp drop in shipments from Chinese companies, resulting in a 49% year-on-year decline in my country's titanium dioxide exports to India and a 56% year-on-year drop in exports to Brazil in the second quarter.

"Globally, titanium dioxide demand is weak, with cautious purchasing in Europe, South America, and Southeast Asia," said Sun Zheyu. Europe's sluggish economic recovery is dampening demand for coatings, leading to a decline in titanium dioxide purchases. Exchange rate fluctuations and economic uncertainty in South America have led to a predominance of small-scale purchases, amplifying the impact of Brazil's anti-dumping duties. The economic slowdown in Southeast Asia has dampened demand, leading to insufficient export growth momentum.
"Looking at export data for the first half of this year, both in June and in the January-June period, my country's titanium dioxide saw year-on-year, month-on-month, and export price declines," said Yang Xun, a titanium dioxide industry analyst. This phenomenon is primarily due to two factors: first, weak overseas demand. The poor global economic situation has led to continued weak demand in overseas end markets and a lack of trading momentum; second, the impact of anti-dumping measures. Pressure from anti-dumping policies implemented by the European Union, Brazil, India, and other regions and countries against Chinese titanium dioxide has put Chinese titanium dioxide exports at risk, with export volumes at a low point.

Regarding the future market, Yang Xun believes a cautious optimism is warranted. Leveraging China's advantageous titanium dioxide production system, he believes a return to its previous boom cycle will be imminent; it's simply a matter of time. However, this requires both industry-wide optimization and reform, and further depends on the global economic recovery. A truly "peak season" is only possible when demand supports a boom.

Sun Zheyu believes that anti-dumping policies, coupled with weak global demand, are expected to continue to weigh on my country's titanium dioxide exports in the third quarter, with limited relief for domestic titanium dioxide manufacturers. "Domestic titanium dioxide manufacturers need to accelerate the development of non-restricted markets, such as the Middle East and Africa, or circumvent trade barriers by expanding production capacity overseas to alleviate long-term shipping pressure," Sun Zheyu advises.