Titanium Dioxide prices in Asia continued to gain an upward momentum in late March. This was primarily driven by constraints on the supply side amid challenges in production capacities persisting in the key exporting nations including China. Market participants reported that limited production abilities amid several plant closures in China have led to a tight supply situation. Buyers rushed to the spot market, locking in deals and anticipating steady demand from the downstream paints and coatings sector. In view of the optimistic outlook prevailing in the Titanium Dioxide, sellers have revised their pricing targets for the month, thus leveraging on the favourable market dynamics. This price surge had a ripple effect on the export markets including Thailand.

The surge in Titanium Dioxide prices has cascaded to downstream sectors, with significant impacts visible in the paints and coatings industry. For instance, Nippon Paint (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd. initiated its third price hike in 2025, citing rising raw material costs, increased freight rates, and tightening environmental regulations. As of April 1, 2025, the company has raised the price of its “Professional Time-Li Interior Latex Paint” by 1%. Earlier in February, Nippon Paint had already issued price increases across several product lines ranging from 1% to 5%.

Carpoly, another renowned player, followed suit by announcing a price adjustment of 2% to 5% on some of its products, effective March 21. The escalating costs of Titanium Dioxide and other raw materials, coupled with economic challenges, have compelled paint manufacturers like Carpoly to pass on the burden to consumers. In parallel, formidable producers like Longbai Group significantly raised domestic Titanium Dioxide prices by 300 RMB/ton, while global prices saw an increase of $50/ton, further exacerbating cost pressures in this sector.

Similar trends have been reported across multiple upstream industries. For example, BASF increased the prices of its Ultraform POM resin products in the Asia-Pacific region by $350/ton in March 2025, adding to the overall inflationary environment. Concurrently, Zhanxin Resin in China raised the delivered price of polyester resin for powder coatings by 500 RMB/ton, starting March 1. These developments underscore the compounding impact of rising Titanium Dioxide prices on multiple market players.

In contrast to the Asian Titanium Dioxide market, the Market in the USA unfolded a completely different picture.  The market remained flooded with ample inventories. On top of it, the imposition of tariffs added an element of uncertainty in the downstream housing and automotive sectors. Construction activities in the housing sector remained dull as a result of fluctuating mortgage rates and the ripple effects of trade tariffs, weighing on the demand for raw materials including Titanium Dioxide. Following a similar trail, the automotive sector, a key consumer of Titanium Dioxide has yet to recover. This had significantly shaped procurement decisions on the buyers’ side, with them prioritizing prompt restocking requirements rather than bulk purchases.

As per ChemAnalyst Pricing Intelligence, the outlook for the Asian market is expected to remain bullish in the coming weeks. However, considering the trade tariffs, and challenges in the downstream housing and automotive sectors, the Titanium Dioxide market in USA is expected to remain volatile.