Barium sulfide is produced by carbothermic reduction of barium sulfate. Zinc sulfate is obtained from a variety of zinc products, often waste, by treatment with sulfuric acid.
Price increases of 139-174 USD /MT were seen in Q3 by western suppliers in a tight and buoyant market that faced multiple persistent pulls on supply, including an ongoing lack of Chinese export competitiveness. Furthermore, container constraints hampered its delivery to the rest of the world.
In terms of sustainability, the use of rutile titanium dioxide in coatings aligns with the global push towards eco-friendliness. The product is non-toxic and, when combined with solvent-free formulations, can contribute to reduced volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, making it a safer option for both the environment and those applying the coatings.
When manufacturers add titanium dioxide to foods and other ingestible products, it’s typically referred to as E171, which relates to food-grade purity.