The color of barium sulphate, predominantly white, plays a crucial role in its identification and application across various industries. With the demand for high-quality barium sulphate soaring, choosing the right supplier becomes vital. Businesses must consider factors like purity, particle size, regulatory compliance, and customer service when sourcing barium sulphate to ensure they receive a product that meets their stringent requirements. As industries continue to evolve, reliable suppliers will remain indispensable in providing the necessary materials to support innovations and advancements.

North America

Le lithopone est produit par coprécipitation de sulfure de baryum et de sulfate de zinc, le plus souvent en proportions équimolaires, puis grillage de la pulpe résultante⁴.

≥ 5 % of standard sample

In terms of application, meticulous preparation and attention to detail yield the best results. For paint grinders, maintaining a ratio of 12 pounds of refined linseed oil to 88 pounds of lithopone pigment will provide optimal workability. A salient factor that should be heeded is the state of the lithopone before mixing with oil; the material must be sufficiently dry. Only then will it integrate seamlessly with the oil, ensuring that the resultant mixture possesses the desired consistency and properties.

The production of Chinese anatase titanium dioxide involves a series of complex chemical processes, including hydrolysis and calcination of titanium precursors. These processes result in the formation of nanoscale particles of anatase titanium dioxide, which exhibit enhanced properties such as increased surface area and improved reactivity. The size and morphology of these nanoparticles can be controlled during the synthesis process, allowing for the production of tailored materials with specific properties for different applications.

Promotion of noncancerous tumors

For a review published in 2023 in the journal Environmental Pollution, researchers examined E171 as a possible factor promoting obesity-related metabolic disorders. Because gut microbiota play an important role in immune function maintenance and development, and because titanium dioxide as a food additive has been shown to alter gut microbiota, researchers wanted to review “the dysregulations along the gut microbiota-immune system axis after oral TiO2 exposure compared to those reported in obese or diabetic patients, and to highlight potential mechanisms by which foodborne TiO2 nanoparticles may increase the susceptibility to develop obesity-related metabolic disorders.” The study authors discovered recurrent changes in the gut microbiota composition when exposed to titanium dioxide nanoparticles, with an imbalance of intestinal symbiotic microbiota. These changes and imbalances were also reported and played a role in the development of obesity, the authors wrote. This highlights “foodborne TiO2 nanoparticles as an endocrine disruptor-like chemical promoting obesity-related disorders,” the authors concluded.

Titanium dioxide has many purposes in both food and product development.

Mexican researchers sought to evaluate the effects of E171 across a span of conditions in mice, including its influence on behavior, along with the effects on the colon and liver. The research, published in 2020 in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology, showed that E171 promoted anxiety and induced adenomas, or noncancerous tumors, in the colon. They also found that E171 heightened goblet cells hypertrophy and hyperplasia, which is typically seen in asthma patients and triggered by smoking or external pollutants and toxins. They also noted mucins overexpression in the mice, which can be linked to cancer cell formation. 

The leading Chinese TiO2 exporter in value and quantity has been Sichuan Lomon, followed by Henan Billions and Gansu CNNC Huayuan. However, Sichuan Lomon exported a value of titanium dioxide by USD100,000,000 more than the second rank Henan Billions. Henan Billions, on the other hand, exported over USD70,000,000 more TiO2 than Gansu CNNC Huayuan. This demonstrates the huge monopole-like position of the newly merged company Henan Lomon, which can determine the market development for TiO2 in China nearly all alone.

The use of titanium dioxide (TiO2) in factory settings is widespread, with this versatile compound playing a crucial role in various industrial processes. TiO2 is a naturally occurring mineral that is widely used as a white pigment in paints, coatings, plastics, paper, and other products. Its ability to effectively scatter light makes it an ideal choice for creating bright, durable, and long-lasting finishes.

At the present JECFA meeting, the committee considered additional toxicological studies relevant to the safety assessment of the chemical that investigated its toxicokinetics, acute toxicity, short-term toxicity, long-term toxicity and carcinogenicity, genotoxicity, and reproductive and developmental toxicity, as well as special studies addressing its short-term initiation/promotion potential for colon cancer. The experts acknowledged that a large number of toxicological studies have been conducted using test materials, including nanoparticles, having size distributions and physico-chemical properties not comparable to real-world uses of titanium dioxide as a food additive. The studies on non-representative materials were evaluated by JECFA, but the committee concluded that such studies are not relevant to the safety assessment of the additive.

Although barium sulfate is almost completely inert, zinc sulfide degrades upon exposure to UV light, leading to darkening of the pigment. The severity of this UV reaction is dependent on a combination of two factors; how much zinc sulfide makes up the pigments formulation, and its total accumulated UV exposure. Depending on these factors Lithopone B301, Lithopone B311 powder itself may vary in shade over time, ranging from pure white all the way to grey or even black. To suppress this effect, a dopant might be used, like small amount of cobalt salts, which would be added to the formulation. This process creates cobalt-doped zinc sulfide. The cobalt salts help to stabilize zinc sulfide so it will not have as severe a reaction to UV exposure.

Drivers

Lithopone 30% complies with both the REACH and Indirect Food Regulations, as well as with many European regulations regarding Toys, Packaging, Resins, etc… 

Lithopone B301, Lithopone B311 Powder

Titanium dioxide remains in many food products in this country because of regulatory folly by the Food and Drug Administration, which allows problematic food ingredients to remain undetected and unreviewed.