6 Common Uses of Titanium Dioxide Pigment

Introduction

Titanium dioxide (TiO&#;) is one of the most efficient white pigments extensively used across various industries. Its applications span numerous sectors of the global economy, making it an indispensable material in the production of white or light-colored products. The primary industries utilizing TiO&#; pigments include coatings, plastics, and paper, which together account for the majority of its global consumption. Here&#;s a closer look at the main applications:

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1. Coatings

The coatings industry is the largest consumer of titanium dioxide pigments, accounting for approximately 58% to 60% of the global consumption of TiO&#; pigments. Coatings encompass a broad range of products, including paints, varnishes, and finishes. These products can be solvent-based or water-based and include powder coatings and UV-cured coatings.

Titanium dioxide is the most widely used pigment in the coatings industry due to its excellent properties. It provides bright and vivid colors, high opacity, strong tinting strength, and superior weather resistance. These attributes make coatings produced with TiO&#; more durable and effective at protecting and decorating surfaces. The primary applications of TiO&#; pigments in coatings include:

 

• Automotive Coatings: Used for both aesthetic and protective purposes.
• Architectural Coatings: Includes paints for buildings and structures, with latex paints being a significant segment.
• Industrial Coatings: Applied to machinery, appliances, and other equipment.
• Marine Coatings: Used on ships and offshore structures for protection against harsh marine environments.
• Specialty Coatings: Includes coatings for toys, household items, and decorative objects.

Related reading: Everything You Need to Know About Titanium Oxides

2. Plastics

Plastics are the second largest market for titanium dioxide, consuming about 18% to 20% of the global supply. In plastics, TiO&#; pigment is valued for its ability to enhance whiteness, opacity, and UV resistance. It helps improve the heat and light stability of plastic products, preventing degradation from UV exposure. Its fine particle size and uniform distribution enhance the quality of the plastic by providing better reflectivity of light and improved mechanical properties.

 

Common applications of TiO&#; pigments in plastics include:

 

• Packaging: Films, bottles, and containers that require high opacity and aesthetic appeal.
• Construction Materials: Pipes, sidings, and fittings that benefit from enhanced durability.
• Consumer Goods: Household items, toys, and electronic housings.
• Automotive Parts: Interior and exterior plastic components.

3. Paper

Titanium dioxide is the third most significant application area for TiO&#; pigments, particularly in the United States, where it is the second largest market. In the paper industry, TiO&#; is used to improve the brightness, opacity, and printability of paper. It is essential in producing high-quality paper products, including:

 

• Fine Papers: Used in books, magazines, and high-quality printing materials.
• Thin Papers: Such as those used in dictionaries and high-end magazines.
• Specialty Papers: Including banknotes, computer paper, and decorative papers.

 

The use of TiO&#; in paper results in superior whiteness, gloss, and smoothness, enhancing the overall quality and usability of the paper.

4. Rubber

In the rubber industry, titanium dioxide is used not only as a pigment but also for its reinforcing and filler properties. It helps improve the durability, aging resistance, and mechanical strength of rubber products. TiO&#; is particularly important in:

 

• Tires: Especially the white sidewalls of car tires.
• Footwear: Including sports shoes and rubber boots.
• Rubber Flooring: Providing color and strength to flooring materials.
• Miscellaneous Products: Such as gloves, raincoats, and sporting goods.

5. Chemical Fibers

Titanium dioxide is crucial in the chemical fiber industry, particularly for synthetic fibers. It serves as a delustering agent, reducing the shine of fibers by scattering light. This is essential for producing fibers with a matte finish. Synthetic fibers, including nylon, polyester, and rayon, benefit from the inclusion of TiO&#; due to its high refractive index and optimal particle size distribution.

6. Inks

In the ink industry, titanium dioxide pigment is a vital component due to its high opacity and tinting strength. It is used in various types of inks, including those used for printing newspapers, books, magazines, and packaging materials. TiO&#; ensures high-quality prints with excellent color consistency and durability. Specific uses include:

 

• White and Light-Colored Inks: Providing opacity and brightness.
• Specialty Inks: Used for printing on metals, ceramics, and plastics.

Other Applications

Beyond the major industries, titanium dioxide also finds applications in:

Fields

Benefits

Uses

Coatings

High opacity,

strong tinting,

weather resistance

Automotive, Architectural,

Industrial, Marine, Specialty

Plastics

Enhances whiteness,

UV resistance, stability

Packaging, Construction,

Consumer Goods, Automotive

Paper

Improves brightness,

opacity, printability

Fine Papers, Thin Papers,

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Specialty Papers

Rubber

Reinforcement,

durability,

aging resistance

Tires, Footwear,

Flooring, Miscellaneous

Chemical Fibers

Reduces shine,

enhances matte finish

Synthetic Fibers

(Nylon, Polyester, Rayon)

Inks

High opacity,

color consistency,

durability

White, Light-Colored,

Specialty Inks

 

• Cosmetics: Providing whiteness and opacity in products like foundations and sunscreens.
• Pharmaceuticals: Used in tablet coatings and as a pigment in some medications.
• Food Additives: Serving as a colorant in certain food products.
• Educational Supplies: Used in art supplies such as paints, crayons, and markers.

 

Stanford Advanced Materials (SAM) offers a comprehensive range of high-quality Titanium Dioxide (TiO&#;) products at competitive prices, tailored for various applications. Our product line includes:

 

• Photocatalytic Nano TiO&#;: For environmental purification and self-cleaning surfaces.
• Nano TiO&#; for Lithium Batteries: Enhances performance and stability.
• Nano TiO&#; for Ceramics: Improves strength and durability.
• Anatase and Rutile TiO&#;: Suitable for diverse industrial applications.

 

These products leverage the excellent properties of TiO&#;, making them essential for industries such as coatings, plastics, paper, rubber, chemical fibers, and inks.

Conclusion

In summary, titanium dioxide pigment is an essential material across numerous industries. Its superior properties make it the preferred choice for enhancing color, opacity, and durability in a wide range of products, ensuring its continued importance in the global market.

Titanium Dioxide in Confectionery

Titanium dioxide, a fine, white powder, is ideal as a balancer for edible pigments because of its excellent properties for reflecting light.  TiO2 generates opacity that is unmatched for food pigments, enabling a wide range of bright colors.  This is why it&#;s a common additive for baking and candy -making products. In addition, titanium dioxide&#;s high level of opacity to both visible and ultraviolet light helps protect food, beverages, medications, and cosmetics from degrading, which prolongs the shelf life of products.

Titanium dioxide&#;s opacity makes it a uniquely useful ingredient to cover dark or non-uniform centers in confectionery and nutritional supplements. Its whiteness is a pure canvas for confectionery coloring and designs, serving as a base for a wide variety of color palettes, from pastel to bright and from dark to light. It also acts as a universal balancer, allowing for distinctive custom colors to be created to support brand recognition in marketing.

The Safety of Titanium Dioxide

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has assessed the safety of titanium dioxide pigment as a color additive in food, drug, and cosmetic applications and found it to be safe for ingestion and as a skin applicant. In March , however, Europe&#;s food safety regulator, EFSA, updated its safety assessment of titanium dioxide and banned it for use as a food additive in the European Union. This has led some consumers and companies in the U.S. to question its safety.

EFSA&#;s decision was based on uncertainty about potential genotoxicity after long-term consumption of titanium dioxide, which may cause the substance to accumulate in the body. It&#;s important to note that the studies used by EFSA &#; which were part of a broader concern about the unknown accumulation of nanoparticles in the body -- for its decision do not find a link to genotoxicity. However, the agency found that it could not definitively eliminate the possibility. More importantly, the studies used by the European agency on general and organ toxicity did not indicate evidence of any adverse effects on human health.

In response to ESFA&#;s decision, the U.S. FDA reviewed the data that prompted the EU to ban titanium dioxide in food products in Europe and noted that it takes a different view on interpreting the research.

In addition, Health Canada issued a statement in June of reaffirming its opinion that &#;there is no conclusive scientific evidence that the food additive TiO2 is a concern for human health,&#; following a comprehensive review of the research used by ESFA. Health Canada further noted that many studies that raised safety concerns about titanium dioxide as a food additive used forms of TiO2 &#;that are not considered acceptable for use in food and have different properties than food-grade TiO2.&#;

A disconnect between interpretations of food safety studies between the United States and the European Union is not unusual. In fact, the EU allows for the inclusion of ingredients in food products that are banned in the United States, including vegetable carbon black, a type of dye produced by the carbonization (charring) of organic materials such as wood, shells (including coconut) and peat.

The Difficulties in Eliminating Titanium Dioxide from Confectionery

Some confectionery companies have attempted to move away from using titanium dioxide due to its somewhat controversial reputation. These products can tend to be duller in color, more uneven looking, and less pleasing to the eye. Achieving bright, eye-catching colors without an opacified white foundation is virtually impossible.

It helps to consider the widespread use in paint to grasp the difficulty of eliminating titanium dioxide. If you have ever tried to paint a dark wall a lighter color, you&#;ll know that without an opaque white base coat, your new- more translucent- light color won&#;t achieve the coverage you expect.  The dark color from below will show through and mute the color you&#;re targeting.

The same situation occurs in the world of confectionery as well, particularly when it is required to cover darker ingredients such as chocolate. Simply put, no other FDA food-approved white alternatives have the opacity power that titanium dioxide possesses.

TiO2 and Non-TiO2 Colorant Options

At Colorcon Specialty Markets, we take food safety seriously and frequently provide custom reformulations when you need them in response to customer concerns or regulatory guidance. While we can work together on reformulation options, it&#;s important to understand the complexities and hurdles you&#;ll endure when taking on this challenge.  Let our Technical Service Team help guide you through the intricacies of these modifications. 

Interested in learning more about titanium dioxide and non-titanium dioxide colorant options? Contact us today.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Custom Titanium Dioxide Manufacturer.