Lithopone was discovered in the 1870s by DuPont. It was manufactured by Krebs Pigments and Chemical Company and other companies. The material came in different seals, which varied in the content of zinc sulfide. Gold seal and Bronze seals contain 40-50% zinc sulfide, offering more hiding power and strength. Although its popularity peaked around 1920, approximately 223,352 tons were produced in 1990. It is mainly used in paints, putty, and in plastics.

The compound in the Asia Pacific market experienced a mixed trends throughout the fourth quarter of 2021. These market attitudes were mostly related to lower operational loads at Chinese domestic manufacturing plants.

For years scientists have raised concerns about the potential toxicity of titanium dioxide.