Resumen de Whiter than white: TiO2 in 2014
We know that feedstock producers have accepted lower average prices for their material and we have also seen the divestment of TiO 2 business - with Rockwood selling its TiO 2 assets to Huntsman Corp. in September this year. Similarly, DuPont has gone on the record stating it is ready to sell or spin off its Performance Chemicals business as part of its transformation to a "higher growth, less cyclical company". DuPont's Performance Chemical products include TiO 2 technologies, fluorochemicals and fluoropolymers, and sulphuric acid.
DuPont, the world leader in TiO 2, said in its Q3 2013 results that it believes that its TiO 2 sales would improve in Q4 2013, adding that it expected TiO 2 industry fundamentals would improve. Volumes, it said, would increase. Despite this, it is "moving with a sense of urgency" to divest its TiO 2 sector, Ellen Kullen, CEO, said.
"Prior to the 1990s, much of the TiO 2 demand for papermakers was coming from North American papermakers using TiO 2 in paper-coating formulations. When alkaline technology took over from acid technology in papermaking, calcium carbonate (GCC and PCC) displaced TiO 2. This caused a long-term decline in TiO 2 consumption for paper throughout the 1990s and into the first half of the 2000s. Decorative laminate (especially with wood-grained or marble-type appearance for floors, wall panels, worktops, etc.) has become increasingly popular since the mid-2000s, especially in Asia and Europe," he added.
