Titanos Group has achieved a sales growth of 10 percent in 2012, a year that has witnessed sharp fluctuation in global titanium dioxide market. “To attract new customers while keeping the present ones through constant high-quality service is the key to such a good performance,” said Shanghai Titanos’s marketing chief.

According to him, due to the depression of coating and ink-printing industry, titanium dioxide market has reached its trough in the end of 2012. “Frequent inquiry after the Spring Festival may temporarily boost the market and lead to this year’s first increase in price,” he said.

However, non-firm offers account for the majority of post-holiday inquiries and domestic market’s rebound still takes time.

According to statistics provided by SunSirs, a commodity data supplier in China, price of titanium dioxide declined by small margin in January. The prevailing price of rutile titanium dioxide is now 15,500 to 16,500 Chinese Yuan (US$ 2,491 to 2,652) per ton，and anatase titanium dioxide 13,000 to 13,500 Chinese Yuan, tax included.

Statistics also show that the titanium dioxide price of many popular imported brands stays low, Dupont, Huntsman, TAYCA and Tronox included. While the bottom price of imported chloride process titanium dioxide goes to 21,500 Chinese Yuan per ton, China’s homemade products are also facing the price pressure.

The trading in domestic market is still weak since output reduction and overstocking has led to imbalance between supply and demand.

As to the international market, the European markets have witnessed a growth in demand which helps the suppliers to clear inventory, but the manufacturers are still worried about the aftermarket since the purchasers are more prudent than they used to be.

The North America markets are expected to see a price reduction though the price is relatively steady now. The Asian markets, with stable price level and moderate inventory, may enjoy an increase in sales after the holiday.