Tronox to become the largest producer of TiO2 in the world

Packing bulk bags into warehouse. Photo: Tronox

Tronox Limited recently announced a definitive agreement to acquire the Titanium Dioxide production assets of Cristal (The National Titanium Dioxide Company Limited), a privately held global chemical and mining company with eight manufacturing plants.

With the acquisition of Cristal's Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) production assets, Tronox will become the largest producer of TiO2 in the world, and enable them to expand their line of quality products. A global leader in mining and production of inorganic minerals and chemicals, Tronox currently operates four chemical manufacturing plants in three countries, with three TiO2 pigment plants in the USA, Netherlands, and Australia. As well, the company operates mines in South Africa and Australia. Tronox Limited products are available in Canada through Canada Colours and Chemicals Limited (CCC Chemicals) (www.ccc-group.com), a leading chemical distributor and full-service provider of over 5,000 commodity and specialty products.

Titanium Dioxide is the most widely used white pigment due to its brightness, superior hiding power, and capacity to reflect light. It provides whiteness and opacity in coatings, construction, and countless products such as paper, plastics, inks, and paint.

Accounting for 70% of total worldwide production volume of pigments, TiO2 is the most important white pigment used today. In addition to being an effective white colorant, TiO2's greatest benefit is providing opacity. It provides opacity by scattering visible light by bending the light before it reaches the substrate.