MOSCOW (MRC) -- The prices for titanium dioxide pigment have started growing sharply in the external markets. There are now offers of old volumes as well as new ones, but for higher prices in the Russian market, according to ICIS-MRC Price forecast.
Early March price offer for the Ukrainian titanium dioxide grew, on average, by 25% to 100 RUB/t. Chinese producers raised the prices for white pigment in April, on average, by USD 400-500/mt. In the Russian market old volumes of titanium dioxide are offered, on average, for 120 RUB/kg but future supplies are offered, on average, by 10 RUB/kg higher.
In large, difference in prices for titanium dioxide is comparatively big in the Russian market. The white pigment form Middle East is offered, on avergae, for 145 RUB/kg, price offer for raw materials from Cronos Titan is within the range 180-210 RUB/kg.
According to market players, this year deficit of titanium dioxide is hardly possible as it was last year. Insufficient offer from Ukrainian, European and American suppliers is expected to be covered at the expense of growing imports from China. On average, only in polymers conversion more than 15 KT of white pigment are used; final consumers are PVC converters.