Pigment grade titanium dioxide is produced at a much larger particle size than nano grade. It is used as a colourant to whiten and brighten product formulations. Nano grade titanium dioxide is manufactured into very fine (nano) particles and is transparent and colourless. It is commonly used in sunscreens to provide effective protection from potentially harmful UV rays.

Some dealers quoted prices that were significantly higher than expected, sending the domestic market to an almost three-year high. Meanwhile, a similar scenario was observed in the Indian market, where titanium dioxide prices (rutile grade) for rose by 8% from January to March. The increase was attributed to strong demand from the domestic paints and coatings sector as well as premium cargo from China.

4. Should I stop eating products that contain TiO₂?